Medical Update

Brendan had another echocardiogram this morning. He is still getting rid of fluids quickly and has not been back on the Lasix. They have started him on a new medication called Milrinone to try to strengthen his heartbeats and help the heart rate slow down just a bit. The high pressure to his lungs is still causing fluid build up.
We got a phone call from the cardiologist while we were visiting and he believes that they will most likely be doing the pulmonary banding surgery as early as next week, depending on how he does through the weekend. They were hoping to wait several weeks for him to be bigger and stronger, but because he is not able to eat and grow until he has it done, there is no sense waiting.
They have discontinued the milk feedings and he is back to TPN. We were told that the stomach and digestive system is the last area to get oxygen from the blood stream and since he is not oxygenating well, they will not strain him further with food. He did have several bowel movements and has passed most of the meconium.
Getting the banding means that he will be transferred to the Children’s Hospital. Once we have a surgery date, we can plan on him moving over there the day prior to the procedure.

The good news is that this procedure is minimally invasive and is done through a small opening in his left side. The recovery time is quick and they expect to see full results in a week or less. Barring complications, once this surgery is complete, he will be able to start to eat and grow and work on coming home. They expect him to have a few months at home before his first open heart, the Glen operation. We will worry about him, but we are eager for this progress and still can’t wait to see him off the ventilator so we can hold him.

Trevor is doing super well, he just continues to work on his eating and breathing. He hasn’t been as interested in the bottle or pacifier, but he is getting his max dose of 43cc of milk through his feeding tube and just keeps practicing. He will stay at the current hospital until he comes home, so it is going to get interesting.

Just a few pictures today:

Brendan’s bed

I’d wear my hat like this too in order to get a good nap in that bright room