Year 2 – Week 32 – Day 5

There is a lot that has been on my mind today about things that I could write about tonight, but as the day goes on, I realize that those things are not all that important and not worth documenting. I don’t want to rant about the hospital because in spite of all of the stress this place causes me, these people are keeping Brendan alive and some of them are doing it with great compassion.

Brendan has not made much progress but he may be marginally better today, it is hard to say. I did finally get the answers I was hoping for though about just why his sats drop so much. This viral infection is creating inflammation and increased pulmonary pressure. Because Brendan’s blood flow to his lungs is passive, increased pressure means more difficulty getting his blood through his lungs to his heart.
His little body is working so hard just to breathe and he is coughing so much that he is exhausted. He spent most of the day asleep in someone’s arms. We are set for night number two. There is nothing they can do for the virus, Brendan has to beat it and then he should improve greatly. Unfortunately, the ventilator isn’t helping as much in this situation because it creates more positive pressure in the lungs. It does do some of the work of breathing so it is a trade off. We allow Brendan’s body a break at the expense of even lower sats.

Bill and Trevor came by this morning to bring stuff we needed and to visit. Bill has been hit hard with this bug and is feeling terrible. Trevor seems to be recovering. I have a painful cough and am starting to feel the sinus pressure. I only saw Trevor for a short time and then Bill took him home for his routine-as-possible day.

While he was here, I took him to the parent lounge. He loved the squishy color-changing floor tiles and danced on them a while to get his wiggles out.
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Brendan had a very short period of wakefulness while I bathed him and changed his trach ties. He was happy to see his iGuy.
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Most of the day, he was just was so tired
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After a very nerve-wracking start to the day with a very blue baby, the x-ray team came and did a chest x-ray. (Still looks good, no pneumonia) When they left, I found this in the bed. It threw me for a moment then I realized it was a lead shield.
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It is so hard to sleep comfortably when you are a living spaghetti.
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If I use the remote baby spy cam to check in on home, this is what is sitting in Brendan’s crib. Thanks, Bill! That is cute!
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Trevor enjoying dinner with Daddy
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Brendan’s home night nurse came in on her own time and cuddled him and allowed me to feel comfortable leaving the room to get some dinner and to take a shower this evening. That is priceless and quite appreciated.
We also found out today that Gramma cracked under the pressure of worry and will be returning to AZ after a six month break to help out. This was great news. We can’t wait to see her.

As I get ready to try to get some rest on this weird fly trap of a couch they have, I hear a poor tiny baby down the hall just screaming and screaming. It reminds me of Brendan so long ago and helps put perspective to this stay. I am sad for that family and hope the best for that little one.

I miss all of my boys tonight. I can’t wait to see Brendan’s bright eyes and huge smile again so we can be together as a family.

4 thoughts on “Year 2 – Week 32 – Day 5

  1. Good morning from the East Coast! I am having difficulty writing this through my tears of empathy and compassion 🙁 Gramma’s coming! Great news….knew she would!! When it comes to kids and grandkids….we are the same! For you, just knowing that help is on the way will give you some positive vibes, then, that will pass on to Brendan and help him through this crisis! Trevor’s looking so much better!! Bill, hope you are through the worst of it and Tiff..you too!!! Just know all of us are out there praying for Brendan and your family!! Sending tons of love and many, many healing hugs!! 🙂

  2. After seeing the pictures of Brendan, if I wasn’t already booked to come out there, I would be doing it right now! Poor baby. He looks so miserable. 🙁
    Trevor is looking like he is getting better. I’m glad to see that. I’m sorry that Daddy has been hit so hard…love the sign in Brendan’s crib at home. 🙂
    I hope you are getting some rest and you are managing to take care of yourself so you don’t get any worse. It was so nice to talk to you yesterday and hear about exactly what is going on directly from you. It is all of the not knowing what’s happening that makes all of us that are so far away crazy. I want to say thank you to everyone here who helped me be able to get back out there very soon with their help with a plane ticket, or time and understanding to make it possible for me to leave right away.
    See you all very soon. Hang in there. Sending you lots of love in the meantime. I hope today will be a turning point for Brendan. Lots of hugs and kisses until I see you,
    Gramma

  3. Poor Brendan, he is working so hard just trying to breath that he is using all of his energy, so happy to hear your mom will be there to help.take care of yourself.

  4. Where “Y” is the satisfactory explanation of > Why <, what is being done is needed,
    " u ", is being able to understand,
    and " h " is happiness, and comfort with the choice….then,
    Y= (u+h ) cubed ! Oh the joy of the answer to WHYYYYEEE ???

    If putting my visit on hold, has, in any way, made Gramma's trip all the more possible, it is a good ( no, make that ) a fabulous, thing. 🙂 🙂 😉

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