Post-op Day 8

Today is the day I have been waiting for with bated breath...Ripley's chest tubes, pacemaker wires, and IV line came out!  My baby is free of tubes and needles!  I got to hold him more easily this afternoon.  His nurse said Ripley's heart rate calmed down when I snuggled him...a phenomenon I had heard about, but never got to visually experience because he is still having his vitals monitored.  

He still is getting fortified breastmilk, but we can start adding some nursing in so he gets reacquainted.  

I thought I would write a timeline of what my days (when pumping) have looked like.

12 AM: pump 3 oz.

3 AM: pump 3 oz. and go upstairs to bring milk bottles and check on Ripley

6 AM: pump 3 oz.

8:15 AM: eat breakfast

8:45-10 AM: see Ripley and wait for rounds

9 AM: pump 3 oz. in Ripley's room

10-12: spend time in Ripley's room

12 PM: pump 3 oz. then eat lunch

1-3 PM: rest in Ronald McDonald House room

3 PM: pump 3 oz.

3-5 PM: spend time in Ripley's room

5 PM: dinner

6 PM: pump 3 oz.

6:30-9:30 PM: spend time in Ripley's room

9 PM: pump 3 oz. 

9:30 PM: go back to Ronald McDonald House to rest

10:30 PM: try to fall asleep

When in Ripley's room, we try to help with his care by giving him bottles, giving him his medications, keeping him company, soothing him (he gets really upset by gas and constipation due to medications and overalls surgery recovery).  I know his nurses would do all these tasks if we weren't here (and many parents aren't here), but I try to stay involved.  

We are getting closer to going home and the last goals are to monitor his effusions since the chest tubes are out and make sure he is gaining weight.  I am so ready to be home.  I have met so many wonderful people here, from the nurses to a couple of the family service representatives at Ronald McDonald House to the volunteers and the doctors, who I have had great conversations with, but I am still ready to be home.