Re-Admitted

Ugh. Uuuuuggggghhhhhh. 

Despite our efforts this week, restricting his liquids and increasing his diuretics, Santi's X-ray looked worse today than it did on Monday. They admitted us as soon as the team saw his X-ray. We are all pretty devastated. 

The plan is to have three doses of IV diuretics overnight, 5pm, 11pm and 5am. He just had his first dose. His X-ray will be a little later than the usual 6am. But they have prepared us for the possibility of another chest tube. And by prepare, I mean they said, "he'll most likely get a chest tube tomorrow." 

Of course Abe and I immediately asked, "Why not give the diuretics a chance to work????" The team is very concerned with his low sats, now 89-91. And a chest tube is the quickest way to get the fluid out. Best case scenario is that these three doses make a good enough improvement overnight that they don't need to put in a chest tube. 

As soon as we checked in to our new room, which is actually our old room, the one we were discharged out of, one of the aids came to say hello. The same aid that walked us out a week ago. I burst into tears telling her why we were back. Santi looked at me so confused and shocked, "oh no mommy!" He said. He's never seen me cry. My sweetheart wiped my tears and gave me a hug. Can you imagine your toddler consoling you? It only made me more sad. 

Let's hope the IV diuretics work. We avoid a chest tube and we can go home with a healthy boy soon.  

Post Op Check Up

Santi had his post-Fontan check up on Monday. Our day included an X-ray, blood draw, echocardiogram, standard vitals, like blood pressure, temperature and pulse ox. He was seen by both the surgery team and his cardiologist. 

The legend himself, Dr. Starnes. The man who has held Santi's heart in his hands. 

I wish I could say it was a great appointment. But it was just okay. His sats were 92-96, lower than we expected. They were 97-100 at discharge. His blood pressure was good. Echo looked good. His X-ray was the most worrisome. It showed more fluid building in his chest. Ugh. 

They increased his diuretics. And Abe and I decided to put him on a voluntary fluid restriction. The doctors want to see us back on Thursday to see if this dries him out. If this approach doesn't work and his X-ray on Thursday shows no improvement, we might be re-admitted for IV diuretics. I really hope this doesn't happen. 

We drove back to San Diego on Tuesday. It has been so nice to be home, in our own beds. It would be an awful tease to have to go back to hospital life. ​