May 6, 2009

Hi Everyone - It's Melissa. David is back to work.

I walked into Caden's room this morning and couldn't help but feel the disappointment that just a few days ago we were so close to going home, and now Caden is recovering from another surgery. His is swollen and puffy from the excess fluids from surgery, running a little fever, his blood pressure is high, and his resting heart rate is in the 170's. Doctor's ordered some blood work and another chest x-ray to make sure he isn't developing an infection from surgery and that everything they are noticing is not out of the ordinary. Caden is a bit fussy and agitated but I'm happy to see with every hour that passes he is starting to act more like himself. We are thankful for a successful cath yesterday, but he still has a long way to go. Dr. Nancy mentioned Caden would probably be having his second surgery at the end of May so we continue to pray for Caden to gain weight and strength until that time. We are still unsure if we will be able to go home now between the 1st and 2nd surgery so we patiently wait realizing we probably will be here at CHW, but if we are allowed to go home it will be a pleasant surprise. (Pleasant isn't exactly the adjective I'm looking for......how about PURE EXCITEMENT).

On a sidenote - As David has mentioned in an earlier blog we do tend to live in a bubble up here. If I didn't walk from the Ronald McDonald House to the hosptial I would have no idea of the weather. If I didn't occasionally watch the news I wouldn't know about the swine flu but I would know how serious they are taking it by how quiet the hospital is. The crowded elevators are now empty. The long lines in the cafeteria are now short. The siblings coming to see their sick brothers and sisters aren't allowed in. The hosptial is only allowing patients, parents, and grandparents into the hosptial and turning everyone else away to decrease the chance of spreading the swine flu. The same quiet feeling is felt at the Ronald McDonald house. A once crowded dining area where family dinners were served by volunteers is now non-existant. I know it feels weird to see these crowded places empty, but I also appreciate the measures they are taking to keep us all healthy.

We continue to pray for strength for ourselves and strength for our son as he overcomes these challenges today. He is a fighter and will continue to win these battles.

Love,
Melissa and David