Good morning world!

Ryder has made some more [slow] but steady progress the last couple of days.  His breathing rate on the ventilator has been decreased to 12 now so he otherwise has to take his 25+ breaths a minute on his own.  His creatinine (kidney function) still isn't normal but despite a lot of lasix it is holding steady.  ECHOs have shown his heart function is still doing well and he is now of dopamine and epinephrine! 

He has had some extra heartbeats here and there - so far his blood pressure does fine with this, the EP (electrophys) cardiologist will see him again today to see if they would recommend doing anything more about these extra beats.  The only other big event is another clot was found on his subclavian line -- not really sure why because he has been at a good level on his heparin -- but the IV line was pulled out yesterday and he's on a new anticoagulant today (argatroban).  There may be a small increased bleeding risk on this med (it's a lot newer so less data) but hopefully overall this is a small issue in the grand scheme of things!

This morning, Ryder's milk is being held with hopes he can get his breathing tube out tomorrow.  The ICU team doesn't want us to get too excited about that but WAY too late on that.  I am already giddy.  Once that and his arterial line come out we will get to hold him again.  It has been 24 days since our little guy has been held - that is WAY too long!!!

For now, look at those bright eyes!  One would never know he's still on morphine and versed drips... 

We will be praying of course for that ETT to be gone before his next photo op but more importantly for it to STAY gone after it's removed the first time!  Extra prayers needed if you know how Saturday morning rounds with a new attending on service usually go.... "Let's hold the fort", "Doing well, let's not rock the boat", "Ok, so we'll just keep monitoring".  Sounds familiar, right? :)