A Long Day

Man, the day seems so much longer when I am here by myself. Ben went home late last night, so he could sleep for a little while and go to work today. So, it was just me and Miles. Actually, that's not true. I also had James and Val and their families and friends. It's been really nice to have friends here to associate with. I just sincerely wish that it were under better circumstances.

Everything seems to be going very well for Miles. He was released from the PICU this evening, and we are now in a nice private room on the third floor. Sooooooo nice! It's really great because I don't have to call someone to let me through the doors. I have space to stash all of my stuff. I can eat in here with Miles. I can use electronics, and I even get cell service in here. It's great. The only negative is that Miles no longer has his own nurse at his side at all times, so I have to determine if he needs more pain meds or if someone needs to be called. It's a little nerve-racking. The nurse is in here a couple of times an hour though, so I'm definitely not left to myself.

Before we were able to leave the PICU, Miles had to be able to keep his blood pressure at a reasonable level without his intravenous medication, he had to be able to maintain his oxygen, and they had to remove his neckline and the iv in his right hand. Obviously, he was able to do that. Almost all of his meds are oral now. He's still getting morphine through a kind of drip, but I'm not sure that there are other meds administered via iv. Everything is going into his mouth. He's very good at taking medicine this way. He likes it. The only problem is that a few minutes after we got up here (after a bag of teddy grahams, some graham crackers, and lots of milk) he vomitted all over. It was really horrific. I'm pretty sure that his Lortab came up with his dinner. Hopefully, that won't be a continuing issue. I can tell that he is in a lot of pain, and I would hate to have him not get the effects of his pain medication. The only other problem that we've run into is getting him to keep his oxygen levels up. They look really great while he has the tubes up his nose, and we can even lessen the oxygen, and still maintain the levels. They've tried a couple of times to take the tubes out though, and after just a few minutes, they drop way down. Other than that, he's doing very well. Very irritable, but in good shape.

Me on the other hand...... I thoroughly embarrassed myself today. I was wandering around trying to find a spot with good reception. Today was the blood drive, and I happened upon the room where it was being held. I've never given blood before, but I thought that I should do my charitable act for the day. They took it, and I ate a snack and rested for a couple of minutes. No big deal. I felt totally fine, and I was anxious to get back to Miles in the PICU. When I got back I was happy to see Rod and Cathy there with him (especially since he was wide awake). We visited for a couple of minutes. Then I started to feel really hot and nauseated. I sat down and thought that I was fine, and I was for about another minute. Then my vision started to go in and out, and my head went down on Miles bed. The PICU nurses had to help me over to their little station to lay on the desk. They gave juice and stood around me fanning me with their folders. It was really funny......until Miles started crying the most heart-wrenching cry for mommy. Of course, I started to cry and made myself feel even worse than I already did. I did eventually rejoin Miles, Rod, and Cathy, but I had to take my own little vomit bin, and I still feel really woozy. I told James about it, and he told me that that was why he did not had a bandage on his arm. A child having a major surgery plus inadequate food and rest does not make for a good blood donor. I learned my lesson. Pretty funny story though.

I suppose that's all for now. He's recovering great from this surgery, but it's still just a wait and see as far as the rest of his issues go. He will have an x ray every morning in case of changes, and he will have another echo before we are released, so we'll know of any immediate changes. We'll also have a follow up with his pediatrician a few days following, one here a couple of weeks following, and another one with the cardiologist (I assume for another echo) in a couple of months. In the meantime, visitors are welcome. Give me a call first though, so I can make sure that we are around and so I can give you our info. And of course, as always, use good judgement. No sickies.