Mommy and daddy haven't written for the past few days because things have been pretty quiet but in a good way. It seems that whenever we get on a streak like this and write an exciting blog about it things promptly go south. We wanted to try and avoid the jinx this time so we decided to go on a writing hiatus. But we can't stand it any longer we have to share the good news.
The end of last week and the weekend consisted of some housekeeping issues for you in the CICU. You were able to get up to full feeds through your new GJ tube without a problem. Then the doctors were able to tweak some of your ventilator settings so you weren't getting quite as much help. Next we made a big leap by changing the two sleepy medicines that go through your IV to a form that can go into your G tube. Everyone was pretty nervous that you wouldn't react well to this but as usual you surprised us all and sailed through it. To be honest you were a little too sleepy so we had to lower the doses on both of them (one step closer on your weaning program). The doctors also had to decrease the medicine they have been giving you to lower your heart rate not once but twice so your daily doses were cut in half (another check on the weaning plan). There were a few other details that I won't bore you with but long story short Dr. Marino earned his check "waxing you to a shine" as he says.
The weekend was very quiet as far as visitors go. Your Pappaw started a new job so he wasn't able to come up this weekend but he promises to be back just as soon as he can. Uncle Scooter and Auntie Beth both had a little winter cold so they had to stay away. In addition to all that your Grandma and Grandpa had to stay away because Grandma had been exposed to the flu and they didn't want to take the slightest chance of passing it to you even though she isn't sick. See your Great Grandpa got REALLY sick really fast and had to be rushed to the hospital last week. He is on a ventilator like you and just starting requiring some dialysis like you had after your heart surgery. Turns out he has a bad case of the flu which his heart, lungs and kidneys aren't reacting well to. Your Great Grandpa is one of the sweetest men in the world and your mommy sure loves him a lot. When he was off the vent for a few hours the other day one of the first things he asked about was you. Despite how rotten he must feel he is thinking and worrying about you. I can't wait until the day you get to meet him.
Originally your Grandma said she wouldn't go visit your Great Grandpa so that she could still come here and help with you but mommy and daddy said that was silly. For five plus months your Grandma has come to Children's hospital at least every other day (sometimes more) to be with you. She is always willing to babysit so mommy and daddy can get out of the hospital no matter what day of the week it is or what time of day. It means a lot to all of us that she spends so much of here time here keeping you, mommy and even daddy company. So we promised her that although we would miss her a lot (and mommy sure does miss her during the days) that we could handle things here so she could be with Great Grandpa. He needs her more than you do right now. Thanks for being so well behaved so that Grandma doesn't worry. We'll keep saying extra prayers that your Great Grandpa gets to feeling better soon.
Sunday mommy and daddy left you at the hospital with one of your great nurses so we could go get you a new stroller and car seat. Pappaw gave you an awesome stroller/car seat combo months ago but since you will need to be on the ventilator we have to use a special stroller and the car seat that matches. Luckily we hadn't put together the stroller from Pappaw (yeah for procrastination) so we were able to exchange it without much trouble. I think you'll like the new stroller just as much if not more and it has a lot of different ways you can sit as you get older. Thanks Pappaw for the new and improved ride. When we got back to the hospital Sunday afternoon your nurse reported that you had been a good boy all day. Thanks little man. Then you started to cough up some yucky junk and mommy and daddy were worried you were starting with another infection. Oh no....
Monday morning came and we got some GREAT news. The doctors said they weren't worried about an infection and you were ready to make your grand exit out of the CICU. Lucky for us the TCC had a bed available and all systems were a go. Irony would have it that Dr. Connor was the attending so not only was he the doctor that admitted you to the ICU back in September but he was there to discharge you in March. What a big day it was for everyone! I don't know who was more excited; the doctors, nurses, therapists or us. There were several volunteers to help with your parade from ICU to TCC. You seemed pretty excited about the ride too. So far you have survived your first day in your new room and seem to be adjusting well. Mommy already misses some of the amazing people in the ICU but she's excited about all the new friends we're making down here. Mommy has a lot more to say about the great people in the ICU but we'll save that for another note. You are just about asleep so mommy and daddy are going to wrap things up and head out soon but good work avoiding the jinx little man. Let's hope we're over the hump and our ICU days are in the past. We are so proud of all the progress you have made and can't wait to see what you do next.
Mommy and daddy love you very much Connor.
-Mommy
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