Small steps.

Drained! Easiest way put it. Brody has a chest tube in place that is suppose to drain the fluid from around his lungs. The fluid is so thick it clogs the tubes, now instead of putting the medicine ( altepase) in his tube they are putting it into his pleural space( space around your lungs)  SCARY to say the least... Altepase is a medication that is used to dissolve blood clots, but In turn when The team administers the medication it beaks down the fluid inside his lung space that contains parts of blood called fibrin. Basically it just makes the fluid thin and it drains. Works great but comes with great risk. Brody is already on a  heprin drip.. And on Coumadin, both blood thinners. Doing the altepase could cause an internal hemmorage, so when they do it it's a big deal and of courses causes major stress, anxiety, whatever you want to call it... Sucks!!! Keeping a close eye on the chest tube is priority, along with a million other things. Since Brody has been here for so long he is basically addicted to the narcotic drips and getting him weened off is disastrous! He is withdrawing and it is awful to watch. His chest still is not closed so I finally said no more wening anything until your done with his chest closure. I see no point in putting him thru withdrawals when he has to go back to OR to have his chest closed, he will just come back on all the narcotic drips anyways.

So we are leaving his drips alone, a 10% decrease was done yesterday to his fentanyl  drip and made him withdrawal, we are giving what they call rescue meds to keep him calm. Ativan is helping. He is ok, he is STRONG, they stitched his chest tube to his skin today to make sure it was secure... Was quick and over with but still having to watch it happen to your baby is nothing I wish on any person! He is strong and making us Strong! Today his is getting another blood transfusion, an NG was put in place to start feeding his belly and multiple dressing changes. He is exhausted, and it's only noon:( If I could have one wish.. It would be to rid the world of all CHD's, our babies should not have to endure this! I know many of you follow my boy but there are so many babies who are suffering, just like Brody. Some waiting for hearts, some on Berlin hearts, you can see the hurt in every single persons eyes in this place. Please when you pray for my boy pray for all the beautiful babies who are sufferining from CHD. A huge thank you to my family for all the love and support. We appreciate every single prayer and feel the love! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! Kiss the ones you love, tomorrow is never promised.  God is Good!