Our Family: Billy, Christa, Miller, Merritt, Briggs and Jasper

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Waiting for him to wake up

Briggs is doing well so far. He is still on the ventilator, but is waking up here and there. He clearly doesn't like having the tube down his throat and coughs a bit which seems more like a hiccup with the tube in. He is also annoyed by the IV lines in his foot and tries to kick it off. Thankfully he won't remember any of this. The nurses are very nice and paient with our million questions and have been explaining everything they do and give to him.

Right now Briggs has: 1-breathing tube to the ventilator, 2- central line catheter, 3-temporary pacing wires in case he has any transient heart block, 4-two separate IV lines for fluids and drugs, 5-an arterial line for delivery of drugs and monitoring, 6-a chest tube for drainage of blood from around his heart, 7- a foley catheter for urine, and 8-ekg electrodes. Wow, that's a lot of wires!

The nurses think he will be awake enough to extubate tonight sometime. We'll post more as things progress.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Hang in there! We love you and we're thinking about you!!!!!! Briggs is one hell of a trooper and he's going to be just fine! XO

Andrea said...

I'm so glad things are going well. If it's ok, I might stop by later to see him and you. I'm thanking God for a successful surgery and praying for a smooth recovery.
Heart Hugs!
Andrea

Jane said...

Hi there,

I found your blog through Drew Himmelberger's. Just wanted you to know that a "been there, done that" family is praying for you in Chicago.

Love, Jane
www.RamonaMae.com

Anonymous said...

aie. this must be so painful waiting. but all in good time, and he knows what timing is best for him. it will all go without a hitch, i just wish it could be over soon for your sakes!
christopher came home early to watch sylvie so i could dash over and give you a supportive hug, but i thought it might be best to keep your family nucleus private in this special time. any form of socializing has got to be the last thing you'd want right now. please know your prayers and hopes and relief are shared with us now. the extubation will feel like a bigger relief than you can imagine -- and more miraculous even than when he took his very first breath when he was born.

The Gearharts said...

So very glad things are going well so far. Hoping to hear more good news soon! Sending only positive thoughts and lots of love, Dru


Where did everyone go?

Sweet Briggs at Baptism

Sweet Briggs at Baptism