progress for today

We haven't been able to spend much time with Henry today... not because of Henry though.... Shortly after we arrived to the unit, one of the other babies on the unit developed a problem. There was a lot of medical staff running around and all parents were asked to leave the unit. It has been several hours and we have not been allowed back in. We hope everything will be ok for that family....it seems far from ok at this point...

Henry has had a good 48 hours.  His LA line (which was in his heart to monitor pressure) came out and shortly after, they disconnected his pacemaker. He has not needed it since day1 post op. The wires remain in place and will until shortly before Henry's discharge from here (just so they are in place should Henry develop a problem controlling his own rhythm). They can pull them at the bedside (basically they just tug them out).  Henry also had his chest tube out overnight. Dr. de Caen said that this is the thing that causes babies most of their discomfort - every time they move it moves and rubs inside their chest. It just isn't comfortable. It is a relief and definate progress to see that tube go.  They have, as Hal mentioned previously, been slowly coming down on Henry's pain meds (primarily morphine). This is positive as it leads to better and deeper breathing and allows them to move toward weaning the ventillator (breathing support).  We are hoping in the next hour or so, they will attempt to extubate Henry. They have given him a few doses of steroids this morning. This helps to ensure that any swelling in Henry's airway is reduced so he doesn't run into troubles when they extubate.  As you will notice from the pictures we have been posting, Henry is intubated nasally -- so, if all goes well, all that tape will be off his face and the tube out of his nose today!! Fingers crossed.  Henry may also be transferred back to the NICU (just up the hall) in the next few days.

We'll post a few pictures later if we are allowed back in.  Hopefully we will all get a look at Henry's face today!

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