A tiring day for Henry

Henry's progress continued today, but progress isn't always easy.  Overnight, Henry developed a fairly high temperature which, at this point, can be related to any number of things (underexpansion of the lungs, urinary tract or other infection, regular post-surgical stuff..the list goes on).  For this, blood was drawn and multiple attempts to get urine were undertaken (Henry didn't really get the timing and with each attempt Henry's diaper was freshly wet and they couldn't get a sample).  So far, nothing has come back showing anything concerning.  His temperature has come down to normal levels.

Post-surgically, there are a series of tests and follow-ups that are routine.  Today, two of these things were an ECG and a chest x-ray (to follow progression of lung re-expansion and to make sure the lungs are 'drying out').  Here's Henry, ready for transport to radiology:

For parents who are reading this to learn what to expect, a chest x-ray for a baby is something you should emotionally prepare yourself for (if you decide to watch).  We would have perhaps had an easier time if we knew up front what to expect.... Babies won't just lie down and lay still on the table, so there is a contraption where the baby is put on a miniature bike seat with their legs hanging down below.  Their arms are then raised above their head and held there while a plexiglass contraption that comes in from both sides and goes from their bum to the top of their heads is positioned (essentially, it encapsulates them).  At this point, a baby who is well enough lets loose crying (and will continue until the pictures are taken and the contraption is removed).  It doesn't hurt them, but it looks barbaric and they look tiny and vulnerable across the room while you wait.  The crying is hard to hear, but actually allows them to get the best pictures.  We are never sure if it is the stress, worry and fatigue that make routine things feel emotional & difficult to bare or if others would find these things challenging to face.  Even writing this, we are teary for what Henry is going through.  In the second picture, to us Henry looks like he is bravely just facing it head on...poor little guy.

The ECG took about an hour.  Fortunately for most of it Henry was sleeping. Unfortunately, some of it can be uncomfortable and so he cried for the last portion and just seemed generally overstimulated.  The ECG generally looked good.  The is an area to pay attention to, but nothing that is highly concerning at this point.

Almost all of the rest of Henry's accessories were removed over the course of today.  The following picture makes us a little sad, as Henry was poked and prodded so many times he had a sad cry and defeated look as if to ask us, "Can you please just get them to leave me alone now?"  Though this may be disturbing to look at, as his scar looks bloody, his healing is amazing and his scar only 3 days post-op looks better than it did following his first surgery.  They tell us he is an amazing healer.  I think babies have an amazing capacity in this department.

On a lighter note, Henry enjoyed a little snuggle time and TV with one of his brothers today (Owen looks like a bruiser in this shot, but actually is still about 200 grams smaller than Henry).

We are lucky that our good friend, Lisa Gardner, is a nurse manager where Henry is now....both he and Owen get a little extra TLC from her.

Henry also had a visitor today.  Our good friend, Natasja, who took care of Magnus for several days came by. Yesterday Rex came by to check on him too. It was nice to see him.

Special thanks to Ione and Rick Hooper for giving Magnus love and attention today at RMH. We think our busy little guy gave them a pretty good workout. :)