Day 18

Remember the comment yesterday about R's medication being switched from an IV drip to an oral delivery. At the time, we called that progress. Little did we know the medication would not be as effective as it had been when taking it through the IV.

Before retiring for the evening last night, Jen & I usually make a quick call up to the PICU to see how R has been doing since we've checked in last. When we called around 11:00 pm Friday evening, we were a bit startled to hear that his heart rate was well over 200 beats per minute, his blood pressure was falling and we could hear alarms going off in his room over the phone. The staff was working hard to gets things under control, including putting ice on him to try to slow his heart rate. So much for falling asleep quickly.

We spent the next hour praying and talking about all of the challenges R has gone through and how this must be taking a toll on his little body. After an hour or so, we called back and were put at ease as the nurse told me his vitals had stabilized and R was going back on the heart rate medication (amiodarone) delivered via an IV drip.

Jen & I made it to rounds this morning. All of R's vitals seemed good, except occasional flare ups from his heart rate. The nurse said it would take some time for the medication to build itself up to a point where these flare ups would subside. The surgeon ordered an increase in R's fluids, thinking he might be a bit dehydrated. We are hoping the extra fluids will help keep the heart rate and blood pressure at good levels, help the kidneys to do a little work and help R to look better (he looked a bit dehydrated). After rounds were over, we were able to sit in the room with R and spend some time with him.

As of 6:00 pm this evening, R has had no irregular signs with his heart rate, but his blood pressure is a little on the low side.

Thank you for your continued prayers.