And the forward momentum continues

Nothing but good news to report from Palo Alto. After six days straight of bad news we are finally on a positive trajectory.

After rounds this morning, Max was downgraded from a CPAP to a nasal canula (less oxygen and breathing assistance). With each change Max's CVICU team makes, our little fighter continues to have good numbers and good oxygen saturations. He is a much happier baby to finally have the tube out of his throat and all that other crap off of his face. And his mom and dad are so happy to see his cute little face and eyes again! He is off all of his medications except for his diuretic (Lasix) and an occasional dose of morphine (which will be discontinued now that his chest tube is out). They have steadily been increasing his breast milk feeds through his NG tube (feeding tube in his nose). This afternoon his nurse practioner removed his RA line out of his heart and his chest tube that was draining excess fluid. The good news is once he is stable from the RA line removal we can hold him. It has been a long 8 days and I can't wait to snuggle that little boy again!

Now the next step is feeding from a bottle and to start gaining some weight. Our little guy has had very little in his tummy over the last 8 days and has lost well over a pound. We are hoping he follows in his brother and sisters footsteps and becomes a super chubby baby.

Thanks for your messages and prayers. In the really dark days it was one of the few things that kept Brad and I sane. The CVICU is a scary place but we are thankful for everyone that is brave enough to work there. We are hoping and praying that things keep moving in a positive direction and that in the next few days that Max will either be transferred to a step down cardiac unit or transferred back to the NICU. Onward and upward! MAXIMUS MAXIMUS MAXIMUS!!!