These are a few pictures that we took right when he came back to the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care). The anesthesiologist is on the far left, and the surgeon, Dr. Burch is right next to him. Our nurse from last night is on the far right. The two women are basically in charge of the PICU/CICU. The machines are pumps for all of his different medications. His face was a little swollen, but is looking much better today! We will post more pictures later today.
He seems to be doing pretty well overall. Chelsea and I were at the hospital last night till about 11, making sure his blood pressure was stabilizing, as well as his CO2 and PH levels. His blood was pretty acidic last night, and his CO2 levels were extremely high due to some ventilator settings. After a few Blood-GAS tests, his CO2 levels dropped, and by the early morning, they were back to normal. They are monitoring his chest drains closely to make sure he doesn't have any major leaks right now internally. We are glad his blood pressure seems to be on the lower end vs. the higher end because of the new sutures from surgery yesterday. If it were to be too high, it would cause too much pressure to be on his newly repaired arch, which is obviously not good.
We have had a few questions about his chest being left open after surgery... I don't blame you guys. Basically (if you can tell from the picture) he has a large dressing over his chest. Underneath all that gauze, he has a plastic-like membrane that is sutured to his skin, which allows for his chest to be more open, allowing for more room for his heart to beat while still a little swollen. We can't see his open cavity, but when they remove the gauze to get to the membrane, the nurses say that they can kind of see through it, and see a portion of the heart. I hope this answers your question. If it doesn't make sense, please let me know.
We will be here for most of the day, and feel blessed that everything is going so well. He isn't perfect quite yet, but he will get there soon! Let us know if you have any other questions.
7 comments:
Thank you for the update so much! I have been glued to my computer all morning and am so glad to hear that he is doing better. I think the clock on your computer by the comments is off by an hour, either that or it is taking an hour to post. Just wondering. I love you both, and will continue to keep you in my prayers.
so cute! loved this post. what a young surgeon (and cute too!)
oh and you can tell the surgeon that you are sorry. but i'm taken and happily married. :)
and kayden looks pretty good for just having open heart surgery. give him a kiss from us!
I am so glad it went well. We will pray for his speedy recovery! Love you guys. Sar
So so glad everything went well and Kayden is doing so well! Praying for a very speedy recovery so you can take your sweet little boy home!
Heather
he is so precious! thanks for the update! we love you all!
katie
So glad that he is doing well. Who does he look like??? Chelsea, is it you he looks like??? I think about you guys and the Marchants daily. Thanks for all the updates.
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