A Step Backwards

Errol's last remaining iv blew this afternoon (it happens sometimes) and we spent a bad two hours trying to get a new iv in him. After three different nurses (including the one who saved his life back on day one of his life) gave him eight or nine nasty needle sticks and painful subcutaneous explorations we gave up on trying to find a vein. Errol didn't cry but once.

Errol is out of the PICU but he's not out of the woods. We can't get him to eat, drink, or take his medicine, and without an iv in him or a nasogastric (NG) tube down his throat and into his stomach, Errol can't heal. Errol is exhausted and has fallen into a fitful sleep (I can't imagine what he is dreaming about), and we're going to evaluate his progress in the morning and decide what steps to take next. Let's hope things turn for the better. Thanks for hanging in there with us on this bumpy ride.

Errol's Battle Scars

This is a look at Errol's wound from his open heart surgery. Errol is such a trooper! We're only four days out from his open heart surgery, and he must be in tremendous pain, but since Saturday he's only been on ibuprofen for pain, and he complains less than me. Give it up for the Little Man!

Strong Errol And Strong Mama

Errol's New Digs

Hooray! Errol is out of the PICU and in a regular room! They have taken out his central line and the only thing tethering him now is his nasal canula (oxygen) and the IV in his left arm. We are so happy that Errol keeps getting better and we are so very fortunate to be surrounded by so much love! Thank you, thank you, thank you all!

Back in Mama's Arms

Errol is having a good afternoon. He seems to be over his nausea and he's been smiling and playing peek-a-boo. The nurses had to suction out his nose and mouth but it's helped his breathing and we still hope to have him out in a normal room tomorrow. One of the best things we can do is to hold him up and try to get the gunk out of his lungs. He certainly doesn't seem to mind being in Mama's arms! Who would?

PICtures from the PICU

The doctors feel good about Errol's progress, but we'll probably spend one more day in the PICU before heading out into a regular hospital room. 

A good night in the PICU

Errol had a good night. He kept his liquids down, responded well to being weaned off his oxygen, and, most importantly, slept well! I think they might just move us out of the PICU and into a regular room. We'll know after the morning rounds.

One Small Step for Little-Mankind

Errol's chest tube came out (you don't want to see the pictures) and so did his arterial line! One step forward. 

Unfortunately, Errol has been really nauseous today and he's had to work really hard just to keep liquids down. One step back. 

Luckily, the step forward was bigger than the step back, and the doctors think that once Errol gets the anaesthesia out of his system he'll feel a whole lot better. So will we.

To Do List

1. Move out of the PICU and into a regular hospital room
   

It looks (knock on wood) like we might just complete our list tomorrow.

Right now Errol is just a few feet away from me, lying in his bed in the PICU Hilton, sound asleep. 

The Road To Recovery

A good morning, so far. The doctors are pleased with Errol's progress and are going to take out his chest tube, which will make him feel better and allow him to sleep on his stomach, and his arterial line, which will allow him to put his favorite fingers in his mouth. These are all tiny baby steps on the road to wellness, but Errol is healing! 

Long Road Ahead

Errol is still in the PICU. Although his Friday started well, his recovery slowed down a  bit today. If we can get Errol to keep his food down and get his chest tube out and we will be on the road out of the PICU. We'll see what tonight brings. 

Recovering

Errol is doing great! Doctor Hines came by on rounds this morning and wouldn't say a word about Errol because he didn't want to jinx his great progress. The color is coming back into Errol's face and he is looking stronger and stronger, in fact, Errol took one of his three IVs out this morning. We've been feeding him bottles of juice and goat milk and its made him very, very happy. The catheter and his pacemaker will come off today and we'll hope to pull his chest tube this evening. We are thrilled at our sweet boy's healing and feel so lucky to have him.