wakp10

Hey Everybody...
      Parker has done really well today.  We are almost to our full feeds which is 90 CC's in one hour.  Parker still weighs 10 lbs, so they will be fortifying his milk until he gains some weight.  The doctor ordered another post-op echo today and that went well.  We did get the results back and Parker does have a very small residual leakage around his repair, but his doctors are not concerned by this.  They let us know that most, if not all, babies have some type of leak whether they are a heart baby or not.  Parker's sweating is still hanging around.  He actually had beads of sweat on his face today while he was sleeping.  This has never happened before!  The doctor reassured us that it has absolutely nothing to do to his heart, and that he really can't even give us an explanation for it.  He feels like it is more than likely his system still trying to adjust to the repair.  Parker's pace maker wires were removed today....He did not like that at all.  His chest looks like he feel in a really deep thorn bush.  Bless the poor baby's heart!!! They also removed the stiches that held his chest tube opening closed.  Parker was due for his Synigis shot today for RSV prevention....and he really did not like that.  Parker still has fluid on his lungs, but they will have us follow up with his cardiologist when we get back home. As of right now, it looks like we will be coming home tomorrow mid-day.  Before we leave tomorrow they will do another chest x-ray to check him out completely.  They are so encouraged by Parker's Progress, and said that they couldn't ask for a better recovery.  We have been told by all of the doctors that we will not be able to take Parker anywhere but his follow-up appointments for the first 8 weeks that we are home.  We will not be able to have anyone over to our home as well.  This is due to the high risk of infection of post op open heart surgery.  I know that everyone is ready to put their eyes on our little man, but we just can't take any risks at this point.  One of the nurses let us know last night that they had a patient of theirs come right back to the OR after an infection set in her incision that ate away the first layer of her heart.  Not good at all!!  So they definitely mean business when it comes to infection control.  We will also have to be very careful ourselves even at home.  After that our lives will return to normal!!!  Hopefully I will be updating tomorrow from our home!!! AHhh...home...I haven't been home now in 22 days!!!  I can hardly wait.  Thank you all so much for the loving words of encouragement, the prayers round the clock and the concern that you have shown for Parker and our family.  There are not enough words to express how we feel about each one of you. 
Love In Christ,
The Crafts