Maddox had an okay day today. He was having some issues with his blood pressure being too high, which is new for him. They increased his dose of milrinone(heart medication), gave him some morphine, methadone and adavan and that seemed to help some. Unfortunately, those drugs knocked him out so that he was less able to practice breathing. It is sometimes difficult to find the balance with the different medications so that he is comfortable and also working towards being extubated. We don't want to push him before he is ready, but just having the ET tube in can be another source for infection and we'd like to avoid that. The cultures they took 48hours ago came back negative, so he is off his antibiotics for now! Good news!
Our goal is to increase his feeds to put a little meat on his little bones, continue to give him diuretics to get the excess fluid off that is in his lungs and surrounding his ribs, do pressure support sprints to practice breathing, and prepare to extubate. It is nice to have goals that "we" -aka: Maddox- is working toward. We definitely have a few more weeks here, but Maddox is really making good progress.
Jeff left for home this morning.
Thanks to all our friends who watched and took care of Keyan so Jeff could be here for the past week. It was great to be with him and not go through Maddox's surgery alone. Hopefully the next time he comes out it is to take me and Maddox home!!
My sister Aimee is coming out here next week to be with my little man while I fly home to see my kids for the first time in what will be NINE weeks. I will spend a week with my family and then my sister and I will swap- she'll go to my parents' while her husband is deployed, and I'll come back to my home at the hospital. I am super happy to be able to see my Hubby and kids, but also sad and nervous about leaving Maddox. It will definitely put my mind more at ease just knowing my sister is here watching out for him. She is also a nurse and so should find the whole experience very familiar and interesting. Thanks Aim! I am looking forward to
my week out of the hospital,
smooching on Jeff and my kiddos!
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Yaya! So excited. He looks so adorable!
ReplyDeleteEven with his battle wounds, he is still such a cute little guy!!!! I'm sure your kiddos will be so happy to see you, and I'm glad your sister can go stay with Maddox.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. You really are.
I love these pics! He's so handsome. I love reading all your updates. I am constantly amazed at your faith and perspective. What an awesome trade that will be to have your sister stay with Maddox. I'm sure it will be hard to be away from him, but Keyan, Brynna, and Tracen will be so thrilled to see you! I'm so excited for you to see them and smooch on them. It sounds like Maddox will be in good hands with Aimee. Love you Alissa.
ReplyDeleteGosh I just love good news!Especially coming from you guys! I'm so glad you get to go home and still be comforted knowing your sister is there with maddox.He is such a cute, sweet little guy.I love your updates and look forward to them everyday. XOXO
ReplyDeleteOh those eyes!! He is so adorable and such a fighter. So sweet and really he is a superstar. love and prayers coming your way.
ReplyDeleteThat is great news. What a blessing family is!! Amiee will love spending time with Maddox and you will have a calm spirit in the process.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to finally see the little guy in the flesh! What are the dates for your flights?
ReplyDeleteWow he's got Keyan's mouth. Such a cute little guy. I'm so glad he's doing well. I'm sure hoping you guys get to go home for Christmas. But if you don't get to, I'll be in New England for Christmas. Just something to keep in mind, just in case.
ReplyDeleteWow, his eyes! He is cute! How great that Aimee can come in for you. We hope you enjoy Thanksgiving with your family!
ReplyDeleteI love this picture of Maddox because the family resemblance is so strong!! He is SUCH a little Dixon!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great news...keep it coming for sure right!?
I just know your kiddos are going to be so happy to see you, and your family is a blessing. What a sweet sweet sister you have!
The little man is getting bigger and he is so dang cute with his big eyes. I love him already! I'm so glad you get a little "break" to go see your other kiddos. I know it's probably been extremely tough to balance between your whole family. You are amazing.
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