Slow, but Steady...

Gabriel had another restful night. He got the hiccups (sp?) a lot yesterday, so he needed a lot of extra pain medicine (big ouch with the liver on the outside). The good news about the hiccups is that you have to have a functioning diaphragm and frenetic nerve (sp?) in order to have them, which has obviously been a big concern. He continues to wean down from the ventilator, they dropped the inspiratory pressure a little this morning (Amanda, I guess you would understand that better than we would). At rounds, the neonatologist told us that Gabriel continues to amaze everyone with his strength and will to live, especially considering where he started. Last night we sat and talked for a while with Kathryn, one of our favorite night nurses, and she confirmed what we pretty much new in the beginning - every time she went home from a shift, she feared he would not be there when she returned. We need to get her picture. She usually lectures me about going back to bed when I call at 3AM for an update (but she always gives me the update!).

They got more of the liver in yesterday afternoon and said they would do some more later today. His left chest tube continues to drain, so they are going to change the tube. Still not planning on a right tube, unless his blood gas results deteriorate again. He got the foley catheter out of his penis (that's GOT to feel better) and he filled his diaper three times yesterday (the nurses won't let us change the diaper yet, b/c of the chest tube - darn!!) and they took the IV out of his belly button. So, he has a few less tubes coming out of him today! Progress is slow but steady and we are thrilled with that. Occupational Therapy stopped by today, but won't begin working with him until next week, when he will hopefully be on less support. They explained that a PT/OT evaluation was standard after being on ECMO. Thanks again for the comments, and to the visitors we have had - it helps to break up the day for us!