We've moved to the private room, which has much more space for everyone to stretch out. Now we just hope we don't get bumped.
Riley's chest tube output yesterday totaled 60cc, which is down about 50% from the previous day. The cardiologists are looking for them to pretty much dry up (into the single digits) before they consider pulling the tubes.
Tomorrow the cardiologists will try to reduce the amount of diuretics Riley is getting to a maintenance level (what he'll get when he's home). They want to keep a close eye on the chest tube outputs after the medication is reduced. If the output goes up, they'll consider sending him back up to the cath lab to make sure there isn't an anatomical explanation for the drainage - blockage, pressure problems, or something worse. Right now, there's no indication that the drainage will pick up, and the echocardiogram yesterday looked good. But it's a possibility we need to be prepared for. Obviously we want to avoid a third cath in six weeks - there are considerable risks associated with the cath not to mention the general anesthesia.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Another cath possible
Posted by Ken Norton at 4/19/2006 02:45:00 PM
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5 comments:
We're happy to hear you got the private room. Your previous situation was not conducive to healing! Hopefully you will be gone once our "screaming mimi" is on the floor next week. I am praying that Riley will not need to go in the cath lab. Dr. Teitel had to give our Riley a lot of meds to get her under last week...later he said "It wasn't a big deal. She'll just be a cheap drunk when she gets older." NICE!
Keep moving that fluid, Riley!
Love, The Thompsons
Hope there is no need for a cath and I hope you guys get to stay in the private room ! You deserve it ! It was great to see the photo of Riley smiling (a few blogs ago). Last time I saw him he could barely manage a smile for a second. I am thinking of all of you and hoping for a trip home soon. I will try and visit soon (maybe at home...I will check the blog to see where you are !) Joce
Hey guys. Well draining dropping sounds good, so I'm focusing all my energy on hoping that the drainage continues to drop. You deserve a break. Good to hear you're in a private room, hopefully that will help everyone. We're thinking of you all the time. It was lovely to see Riley smiling in his picture a few blogs ago - he is still as irresisible as ever.
Hope you're looking after yourself Suzanne - can we get some news on the parents state of mind/health?
All our love
Jude, Christian, Ruby and Elsa
Hello all,
It was so nice to see that picture of him sitting up in bed and smiling! He's come so far in the last few weeks!
The drainage continues to be a concern, but we're all hoping that it subsides soon and he won't need the cath. We can't wait for you all to be home again, and we're praying every day for that.
Glad you are in a private room...if it is like the one you had preop then hoorah!!! Hopefully you all had a good rest too in there, and no one picking up garbage. Sounds like things are still progressing well and we hope all drainage stop ASAP or at least really soon. We are all trying to keep on an even keel like the 3 of you....Warm thoughts and lots of love.
Grammy and Wayne
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