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Ok... we've made it through another day with many good things to report. Aiden had a sleepy day today - probably getting caught up on all the days that he didn't rest comfortably. Jeff and I sat at his bedside the entire time... just staring at him. It's hard to take our eyes off of him... he's so darn cute.
Aiden was started on Capoten today for his aortic valve problem and is tolerating it ok. The nurses are going slowly so that he doesn't drop his blood pressure too much with each dose. His Nipride, calcium, magnesium, and heparin drips were discontinued. His milrinone drip was decreased by half. Once he gets to his full dose of capoten, the milrinone will be turned off too. We also were able to feed him breastmilk through his feeding tube in his nose. He can start using a bottle once he's off oxygen. He's on a every 3 hour feeding schedule. Now I'm worried about keeping up with his caloric needs! If he has a metabolism like Jeff.... I'm in trouble... I might as well buy a hands free breast pump and wear it 24 hours a day :)
Jeff fed Aiden twice and even checked the placement of his feeding tube with a stethescope... he did really well. I changed his diaper, read him a book and we played music for him several times today. It feels good to do some normal parent things. Around 6pm, the surgeon pulled the last 2 drainage tubes from the surgery. Aiden did well. He's such a trooper. The only problem today was that Aiden was having some difficulty breathing after 12 noon. His respiratory rate was up. I knew something was wrong and of course his 6pm chest xray showed a pneumothorax on the right side. This is a collection of air outside of his lungs, compressing them and making it somewhat difficult to breath. Soooooo the doctors had to put in another chest tube to remove the air. Although it's awful for Aiden to endure one more thing... it should fix the breathing problem and help him to wean from the oxygen sooner than later. He'll probably have the tube for a few days.
We're so thankful for everyone's kind words of encouragement. We're even still receiving gifts from friends and family that we are really thankful for. We hope that we will be home by this time next week. Aiden seems to always throw us one curve ball during the day so we'll see how it goes. He's such a beautiful baby and he endures so much. I'm thankful to God every minute for my family. Until tomorrow....
Dear Aiden:
ReplyDeleteYour Aunt Melissa started a program at her school called Heartwood. It has helped many children learn important character things like courage. I can’t help but believe that a program with the words Heart and Courage could be a coincidence. She helped a brave little girl go through a hard fight with her heart. I think she knew some day a very brave boy would have to go through a very hard time and all the things about courage that she has taught her students was sent straight to you. So I think you have a lot of people loving you and about 10,000 students who are linked to you through your special aunt. Hang tough, I am sure Uncle Rob has a seat fro you on the 50 yard line at a Steeler game.
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Hey little nephew! I just love staring into those eyes of yours...you have us all mesmerized, cutie! Didn't you know Aiden that "one step forward and two steps back" is the "LaPacz" family motto? Your great-grandma LaPacz, I think, started this trend. Cousin Sharon and I talk about this all of the time and can relate to this well. The good news...we always excel forward (just with a little extra work)and so will you! Don't worry about throwing us a curveball Aiden; your grandpap taught your mommy and me how to use a catcher's mitt! Love you!
ReplyDeleteAiden, you are such a little trooper, keep up the good work and get better quick, I agree with your Mommy & Daddy , you are so darn cute, and I keep looking at all of your pictures too. Keep hamming it up for the camera, we love it, I'll say , for all you have been threw you sure take nice pictures. You relax and listen to your tunes little man, we love you, Debby
ReplyDeleteWow, you really are gorgeous. I swear you get better looking with every picture your mom and dad post. Maybe the best looking newborn I've ever seen. Keep up the hard work you are doing great, and looking good while your doing it!!!!!!!!!! Mom and Dad, you guys are doing great too. As always, my prayers and love are with you.
ReplyDeleteAiden, your eyes are beautiful. It's wonderful to see them. You are the most gorgeous little guy. Keep fighten little guy. You are doin great! Hopefully today there will be no curve balls. You need just a chill day, suckin back some milk and listenin to good tunes in the company of a wonderful mamma and dad! Jeff and Kimberly..I hope you are holding up well and getting some rest. As always my love and prayers are with you all!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
Wow! Can't believe your five days old already. What great strides you've made in such a short time. We are so proud of you and your Mom and Dad. Can't wait to see you today. Love you Aiden more than you'll ever know. Love Grandma and Grandpap.
ReplyDeleteAiden-everyday we watch as you overcome obstacle after obstacle and always come out on top, and to boot, with a big beautiful smile. You are an amazing little boy, but what else did we expect, you were brought into this world by two amazing people-your loving mommy and daddy. Stay stong little guy and you will be home taunting Denver in no time! love and prayers to all of you!
ReplyDeleteKimberly and Jeff,
ReplyDeleteWe're following the blog and saying a prayer each day hoping that Aiden comes home with you soon. Today when I saw Aiden's picture and was reading about Jeff's Grandmother's lily, I got teary...Please know that many, many prayers and thoughts are with you each day! That alone should help speed Aiden's recovery. He is such a beautiful little guy and his picture with his eyes open is precious! Best Wishes and prayers to all of You. Anna, Shawn and Family