At least an answer!

We have been really concerned these past few days because Briggs keeps getting grumpier and apparently in more pain. To be sure, we went back to the hospital yesterday for more x-rays and and an echo (which used to be a non-event to Briggs and now he's TOTALLY upset during the procedure, who can blame him?). The tests looked good and they thought one of his chest wounds looked like it might be getting infected, but we left being told to watch for fever. SO, he got a slight fever last night and was VERY cranky and crying all day today so I took him back to the doctor today and he has an ear infection! I was actually very relieved - we have an answer as to why he's so uncomfortable and it's not related to his heart! Also, I am leaving for the weekend and I was afraid to take off without having any answers. Now maybe I can get a bit of rest :)
Pictures tomorrow perhaps...
Goodnight!

Anyone Still Out There?

Well, we're not out of the woods yet. Briggs has been very uncomfortable and waking up every 30 minutes or so at night. I'm at the point where I think this is more than pyschological. We took him in today for another x-ray and echo and it all looks okay. But, they want us to watch him closely for a fever and tonight he seems be getting one. So far just 100.4, but we hope it goes down and not up. I just don't want to readmit him for another terrifying week of IVs and such. If there is an infection, let's pray it can be controlled via oral antibiotics at home. I'm also scheduled to leave on Thursday for a long ago planned girls spa vacation and it's very hard to leave. I really feel like I need it and Daddy is here and totally capable, but I would not want him to leave me wth this. SOOOOO, we'll see what happens tomorrow. In the meantime, here are a few cute pictures!

Miller taking care of Briggs; Briggs likes sealed air more than gifts! ; I hope Miller's not on call tonight :)

Happy Skinny Guy

Briggs is SOOOO happy at home, I swear I have never seen him smile this much. Except for two occasions - when you try to feed him or put him anywhere near his crib. I'm posting a picture of his scar and pretty beat up chest from all the tubes, but it also shows how skinny he is. I think it actually looks pretty good! We have no idea why he is refusing to eat. He's eating a decent amount of baby food (maybe three jars a day, hardly enough), but we are having to syringe liquid into him because he will take nothing in a bottle or sippy cup. Not even straight up juice!! I'm worried he will become dehydrated soon, especially since he has to be on a diruetic for a month or so after surgery. We think this is just stress related and that he refuses to eat because he associates drinking and sleeping too much with bad things at the hospital. I still thing maybe his throat really hurts from two extubations. He also might have thrush...still a few unanswered questions, but he is HAPPY and it's beyond wonderful to see him this way. Tomorrow is Merritt's 4th birthday and I was hoping at this point we could focus on her for a change, and I think we'll meet that goal :) Thank you ALL for so much love and support.

SUPRISE!!

These are the kinds of surprises we like - we're home!!! All the tests came back clear and we were released. I'm still a bit worried that he's not eating at all, but his throat probably hurts from being intubated twice and hopefully his appetite will pick up soon being back home in his own environment (not that it's less stressful here by any means!!)

THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING. To go from almost losing him to having him home with a new heart is overwhelming. We could not have endured this week without your prayers adn support. Please continue to pray for my friend Andrea and her son Drew - they have been there 3 weeks now and no clue when they will be discharged.

Some coming home pictures and one of Briggs standing by himself in his hospital crib.

Great Day, Lots of Pictures

Today was a great day!! Briggs' blood work is still in progress, but his fever is gone and mood has really changed. This is such a huge deal, going through two surgeries and multiples blood draws, etc. He is so anxious anytime someone walks in the room. So, we got him a bit today and his mood was much better. He even took a few assisted steps, which is a big milestone. Miller came to visit and I had a lot of fun with her. There was fantastic magician here and she has the BEST belly laugh ever, which I heard non-stop and it made me so happy. Merritt stayed home and had a great time with Sonia, so everyone got the one on one time they needed :) I'd say the BEST part of the day was after they gave Briggs his Ativan tonight. He's hysterical!! Falling over, laughing for no reason, trying to put all the wires on this head and laughing...it was worth some video. Alas, as all good things come to an end, he was tyranical going to bed for the lat hour, but now hes's out for the 4 hours or so, so must make my move to slumber now too. I wish I could figure out slide show for the post!

OK picture loading is not working tonight, i will try again tomorrow

We're hoping to be out of here by Friday!!

Doing Much Better!

We got such a great smile from Briggs this morning and he is in a much better mood (could it be the valium?). It's a big improvement though, because even doping him up didn't help before today. Also, so far, the blood culture is coming back negative for infection. We still need to wait and see if anything grows, but it's excellent news. I did break down yesterday and scream bad words at the staff here. Apparently when they took the chest tubes out 2 days ago, some of Briggs' blood got in a nurse's eye. So, she requested an HIV test from him with required another large blood draw. This is terrible for him since he no longer has an IV from which to draw blood. That piled onto a littany of other complaints sent me over the edge. But I am way over that now and so excited that he is seeming more and more like his normal self. Here's a picture of that smile I have been praying and waiting for :)

Girls Visit Tuesday

The girls came to visit and that was great. Merritt has a cold/cough, so she had to wear a Mickey Mouse mask, which made her feel like a doctor. All three kids played in the playroom here and it was nice to be a family again. I will not take that for granted any time soon! We were thrilled that Briggs wanted to move around a bit more to get to some of the toys.