Three More Tubes Gone, More Nursing, and a High School Reunion

Abigail Update


The nurse commented this morning that it is a rare thing to see a nursing baby in the CVICU who also happens to have no feeding-tube and no nasal-cannula free (the nasal cannula is the apparatus that emits oxygen through the nose).  Yes, three more tubes bit the dust today.  We walked into her room this morning to the pleasant surprise that they had removed three tubes:  (1) her nasal cannula, (2) the feeding tube that ran from her nose to her stomach, and (3) her last drainage tube that they had stuck into her side at the first of last week when they noticed a pocket of air that was impeding her lungs a bit.

Now, there are still a few strings attached (literally).  She has her heart monitor, respiratory monitor, and oxygen saturation monitor attached--all of which show a perfectly healthy baby.  It is still somewhat shocking to say that, especially after her condition was serious and complex enough to have her shipped away from Primary Children's, a more than competent facility.

She also still has two wires that protrude from the skin that are attached to her heart--her emergency pace-maker wires that they have never used. Those will come off just prior to discharge.  I believe that they are lightly sown into the pericardium, the protective sack around the heart, and that they literally yank them out when they are through with them.

So, you might be asking why we are still here?   They will likely check us out of the CVICU tomorrow and put us up on the third floor, where the parents--under the light supervision of a nurse who manages four children at a time)--become the primary caretakers of their child.   At this stage in the game, they want to make sure that the baby is consistently eating and is gaining weight. If all continues to go well, we may likely be discharged at the end of the week.

I mentioned in my last post that we were lobbying for a feeding schedule that was more in line with Abby's schedule.  The staff was very receptive to our opinion and agreed to let this mother of five ad lib nurse Abby whenever the baby was hungry.  Because Abby would never consumer large amounts of milk during a feeding, they would supplement her feeding during the night hours when we weren't here with the feeding tube in her nose.

Nursing took a turn for the better yesterday.  Prior to that, it was an exercise in frustration for the first four days.  Lisa commented that it was like nursing a baby for the first time EVERYDAY. Cardiac kids generally struggle with nursing, and some never take to the breast if they haven't nursed prior to surgery.  Abigail's sucking motion was good, but she was a having a hard time latching on and staying on.  

Thanks to both the Lisa's patience and perseverance, and the breast shield Abigail took a major step forward yesterday, and has been nursing like a regular baby since yesterday.  I have talked to few other moms of cardiac kids, who have spent 3 to 6 months trying before truly succeeding with breast feeding.  I cannot image having what kind of a commitment that would take, but after only four rough days, Lisa and I take our hats off to such amazing women.

Mama burping Abigail after a feeding.  I must say that there are few things more beautiful to me than a nursing baby.  Nature at its best.  Another example of our amazing bodies.  Isn't it tragic that the formula companies in the 50's had--through lots of marketing dollars--convinced the public that breast milk wasn't good enough for their babies.  Rule number one of nature:  you can never truly copy the real thing.

Abigail with ZERO plastic (other than this binkie) on her face. First time in three weeks (since birth).

A Wrap Up of our Visit with the Kids

I'll be posting some beautiful pictures of our last day in San Francisco a bit later. I have to go eat, so I'll save my comments on it as well till later tonight when I post the pictures (and possibly a video).

Timpview Reunion in Palo Alto

My 20-year reunion isn’t until  this summer, but we’ve had a bit of a Timpview High School reunion  at Lucile Packard these last seven days.  One of the treats of being here has been the unexpected visits of old friends (and cousins) from high school who happen to live in the Bay Area.

The Doxey Clan

One night the Doxey’s (Dan and his wife Julie Call Doxey) packed up the kids in the minivan and drove the pj-clad kids late on a Sunday night.

Brigitta (Grimmer) Hair

A few days later, my junior prom date, Brigitta (Grimmer) Hair traveled a similar distance to see us.

Uncle David and Cousin Susan (Hobson) Smith

Yesterday my uncle David and cousin Suzanne (Hobson) Smith came by to visit.

Each visit was delightful and good for Lisa and I who are missing our Provo connections.  Remind me when this is over to be better about visiting friends and family in the hospital. It was great to catch up, and share this tender time with old friends and family.