It's that time again...

[Hooked]

I am back on duty while Suzie gets a break.

He got his first sip of apple juice a few minutes ago!  Probably the best tasting sip he has ever had!  He is sleeping again.

Just saw the cardiologist and surgeon.  He looks really good!  His heart rate is a little low, but they are not concerned.

They are going to start removing more tubes!  Which is always a good thing!

The lower half of his body will be swollen due to the bypass.  The blood coming up directly to the lungs now is only moving passively because there is no pump to push it.  His body will have to adjust.  In the meantime he may have an upset stomach and pain.

As always, thanks for your prayers!

[GRAYBEARD]

Praying for progress and strength. Built in HIS image, the human body is an amazing work of art. With good medicine's help, its ability to heal is incredible.

[Hooked]

things have progressed quickly!  Garrett was moved to the floor from ICu about 20 minutes ago.  Everyone (nurses and doctors) are amazed that he is playing the DS and out of the ICU less than 24 hours after his surgery.  All I can say is Thank You, Lord!

[Doc Nock]

Originally posted by Hooked:
  All I can say is Thank You, Lord!

and that right there, Chip, is one wonderful mouthful that brings joy to His ears and heart!

Thank you, Jesus! Lord please continue to watch over li'l Garrett. You must have great things in store for this li'l tyke as your hand has been so obvious in his short life and we pray will continue to be present in spades!

Lord in your Mercy!

[Hooked]

Just tried to take Garrett for his first walk. Doctor said it is important to get him moving around. Unfortunately, the pain was too much. He didn't cry or complain, But you could tell from the look on his face he was hurting.

Got him back in bed with his DS, so he's happy again!

[Hooked]

Doctors just came by again.  He has some fluid on his right lung and his oxygen saturation is down some.  It is important we get him up and moving.  It will help alleviate some of the congestion he has in his lower body.

He's sleeping right now.

[Hooked]

Got him up to go to the potty and to get him to walk some.  The little guy hasn't complained or cried once about pain.  So, when he started crying and saying "it hurts"! We knew it must be pretty bad!  Got him back in bed and he went to sleep.

They tell us these symptoms are normal for what he had done and to be expected.  Still hard to see him go through it!

We are also being told that day 2 is usually a lot harder because of soreness and the swelling in his lower body.

[Doc Nock]

Oh, Chip...  :(

Gotta be hard to do what is right knowing he doesn't understand.

Only suggestion is to explain it as best you can and somehow, it seems even infants "get it" when language isn't yet that strong...

Keep Katie's sage 7 yr old advice in mind and get the li'l tyke moving!

Prayers with you for Garrett's recovery and for you guys to have strength and faith in what needs done!

[stik&string]

Hard to read this one without getting the keyboard wet with tears. I will pray that everything continues to go well with Garrett and for all of you!

[Hooked]

Just threw up for the fourth time today.  Seems like anytime he gets moved some or gets some orals meds the nurses have to change the sheets.

A lot of debate/discussion over why.  Could just be from the procedure, from the anesthesia, or because his stomach is just empty.  Probably a combo.  He's in a lot of pain sometimes too.  

Hoping he will get some rest now as he just got some morphine!

[GRAYBEARD]

Come On, Garrett!  Your family is in our prayers constantly.

[JimL]

Lord in a time like this where can we turn but to You.  Who else can help us so help this family according to Your loving mercy, kindness, and grace.

[Rookie@51]

I am still lifting ya'll up here too. Lord please continue to lay close to Garrett when he is resting and when he is up Lord take his pain away. Lord you can communicate with Garrett better then we can so please help him understand what is happening in his little body. Lord you are always in control and always right on time with your help and healing. Father hold Mama and Daddy and sister close to your heart as well. I lift them up to you and as always ask that your will not mine be done. i beleive you and your word when you say that the prayers of a rightous man avalith much and that we should cast our cares upon you because you care for us. I am only rightous thru you Lord but do ask for healing all around here in this family. Father you know what it feels like to watch a son suffer and I thank you for allowing it, but I ask for peace here in this family as Garrett continues to improve. I love you Father because you first loved me. I ask these things in you Holy Name, Amen.......God bless you and your.......Dusty

[Hooked]

This morning started off the way yesterday ended, with Suzie hollering for the bedside bucket.  He looks like he feels better, but still hasn't eaten anything.  We think the problem is his stomach is empty, so any oral meds make him throw up.  He just won't eat.  The procedure he had done does cause stomach upset but the problem is compounded because he won't eat.

Please pray for Super Garrett to get hungry! And Eat!

Thanks!

[Hooked]

Just had a big moment and hopefully a good sign of things to come!  He just had his first bowel movement since before the surgery.  He also walked back to his bed.  Looked more like a penguin waddling along with all the tubes, wires, and drains, but we will take it!  Praise God!

Hoping his appetite will improve and he will be able to keep some food down now!  Keep those prayers coming!

[Hooked]

Still having trouble with keeping stuff down.  They are trying to get him off the morphine IV med, but he can't keep any oral meds down.  If we could just get him eating then maybe he Wouldn't throw them up immediately.

[Berube]

Prayers sent!

[Doc Nock]

Gut-wrenching times for you and the family, Chip.  :(

We ache with you!

REading back thru your posts, it almost seems like all that stuff about what's to be expected  from this one, might be happening...but in spades.

Having followed other surgeries with your posts, they went so swimmingly well, this likely seems such a let down.

He's a tough li'l hombre'. May God's Grace shine on you all and bring Garrett some healing and peace for you all!

Lord in your mercy...

[Doc Nock]

Ok...I've been checkin this thread about every 2 hrs all day...

makes me nervous when Chip goes silent...

My hope and prayer is that Garrett is up and about, eating, poopin and grinning between med bouts and Pappy is just eating it up like cotton candy!

C'mon, Garrett! C'mon, Jesus...

Lord in your Mercy...

[Hooked]

Sorry for the lack of updates today.  I had to leave the Hosp for awhile for work and my wife was busy by herself.

He is making progress.  Still tough to get him to eat and still throwing up, but he is acting more like himself.  He went down to the playroom for awhile today and played on the Wii.  He no longer just gives you that blank morphine induced stare, but actually is talking some.

Brought him some balloons and a donut when I came back today.  They don't care what he eats, just that he starts eating something.  He was excited to get it but hasnt taken a bite yet.  He did take a few bites of a grill cheese sandwich!

They are talking about possibly removing his chest drains tomorrow.  This is huge because 50% of kids with this procedure go home with them still in place.  

Even without the drains, he won't go home until he shows he is eating, peeing, and pooping.  He also has to get off all the IVs and Oxygen.  Which means keeping down his oral meds.

Praise God for the progress he has made.  Please pray for us at 9pm central, as they have to draw blood and needles and Garrett do not get along!  About the only time he cries is when he sees needles.  They dre blood earlier to day and had to stick him 3 times!