Monday, January 18, 2010

Family Time





Enjoyed some great family time tonight. Hannah thoroughly enjoyed her little brother. Tomorrow we really hope to get some more information and answers about what the doctors are thinking for Paton. The doctors are going to confer about the ultrasound and the back swelling. They should be evaluating him regarding when he might be able to go home, and if he will need a shunt.

Up in the Air

Everything's up in the air. And confusing. The neo at the bedside is surprised the neuro is not calling for a shunt. The neuro is saying he doesn't think Paton needs a shunt! At least, not now. In fact, he's talking about sending Paton home!! But the nurses can't believe they'd send home a baby with as much swelling as Paton has on his back right now. And nobody seems to know for sure if the swelling in Paton's back is a build-up of CSF or just swelling from the surgery. The head circumference has shrunk for the last two days (a good thing -- no swelling), and we're hoping the head ultrasound this afternoon will confirm that there is no cerebro-spinal fluid building on the brain. So there are many good indicators. But we are a little nervous about having the baby come home this soon with still the swelling that he has. The neo said he would get a hold of the neuro "if it takes all day" and hopefully give us some more concrete answers by the end of the day. Meanwhile, we're taking CPR classes, checking into specialized modified car seats ("car beds"), following up on insurance stuff, and taking Grandma back to the airport. Thankfully, our church family has been so, so great in their offers to help in any way. One more great piece of news -- they've lifted the ban on children in the Children's Hospital! (swine flu) So after dropping off Grandma, we're all going in to see the little fella. Exciting!