Elijah's Heart Journey: Plication Post-Op Day 1

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Plication Post-Op Day 1

I wish I had better news. Elijah is still intubated. Dion spent the night at the hospital last night. When I left the hospital last night, he was on the breathing tube but breathing peacefully (in the 20's and 30's). This was great. Before they took him for surgery, he was in the 60's and at times up to the 100's. However, when I came back today, he is back in the 70's. His belly is absolutely huge and he is so uncomfortable. The NG tube that they use to help get the gas out was misplaced so gas was just building and building. They were able to get the NG tube in the right place this morning. He needs to get the gas out before they will extubate. They think part of the reason his breathing is so fast is because his belly is pushing up on his lungs. My poor baby. Not only does he have half a heart, but now his diaphragm function is decreased by half.

We are still hoping he gets extubated today. He hates the tube and it just serves to piss him off. I have to say that this little guy is quite the fighter!

1 comment:

MPJuly 17, 2012 at 8:51 PM
A fighter for sure! Always sending positive thoughts your way. xxoo
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The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."