*surgery update #6

Yesterday: skin was more pink, off Vapotherm, one more IV was removed, was awake for several hours, used his pacifier for several hours (good for keeping his suck exercised as well as helping prevent oral aversion), and did some smiling (only in his sleep though - he must have been having happy dreams)

Today: color looks even better, kicking his legs again, will be trying to eat by mouth, is off oxygen (!!) and would be on his way to a regular room if the cardiac floor wasn't full right now. He is even watching a little t.v. The hospital has a channel with classical music and nature sounds with scenes of mountains and oceans and snow, etc. The nurse turned it on so he could have something to listen to but he appears to be watching as well. I don't even know if he can see anything at that distance, but he is definitely fixated on something.


Some of the last things on the checklist are losing the chest tube, weaning off pain meds, and removing the pacing wires (still there in case they need to use the pacemaker again).

  I think babies really do bounce back faster than adults.

So far this is what I know about going home: He will need least 1 medication for a few months (Lasix for fluid retention), we will have to wash his incision with Dial soap every day, and we can't pick him up from under the arms for 8 weeks. This will give his sternum time to heal. 

 Chris attempting a nap today on the uber uncomfortable chair bed.

Nap attempt #2: successful

Father and son napping together.

Since Will's lungs are still a little wet he even makes a noise that resembles a mini-snore.