So today we went to Madison ALLLL day for a BIG check up. We arrived at 1:30 and we left the office after most of the doctors at 5:30pm (Having a 4 hour check up the day after we were discharged- I knew what we were in store for?)
So Konner had a lengthy Echo to look at his heart, He had all his normal tests; Blood pressure; o2 check, height, weight, and his several doctors that look at him. He also had a Urine test, a Liver Panel and a Lab Draw. (Konner was so brave and did not even shed a tear during the lab draw- thanks to mom for the Magic Cream; which I tell you is something that I have to FIGHT for). Why? Why- if this little cream they put on their arm helps them not feel the poke- why is it something that is just not used for ALL these little kiddos? Anyway, I know about it and believe you, me… if I can help Konner not feel at least one thing- I will do it!
Okay- so how does everything look? Good…. he looks really good. They stopped one of his diurectics- Yeah! Of course he is still on his other one, but he is looking a little dry (which is a good thing as far as his lungs, and any fluid around his heart). We have to watch him closely over the next 10 days to see if there is any signs of extra fluid. We do that through measuring his o2′s, BP and his heart rate here at home. We also can tell with some simple skin tests and puffy eyes and stuff like that.
His Heart is functioning as designed too. No concerns there.
THe biggest thing that Konner has going on is trying to get his Coumadin/Blood Thinners under control. They called us after his labs and Konner’s INR # should be 1.5-2.0 and he is currently at 6.1 Ouch! Thin, Thin blood. Scary thin. So we were insturcted to stop it for 2 days and another blood draw on Friday morning. We were instructed to keep Konner VERY low key today and tomorrow- a small bump to the head could be VERY dangerous for a BLEED. So MOVIE Day today!! We also have to worry the OTHER way as well…. so stopping it for 2 days- we can’t have Konner’s blood CLOT at all…. that could be even MORE dangerous. So as you can tell it is a FINE line- that everyone is watching closely. Not to mention, that I think that is why Konner has not been feeling well- I bet he has been feeling dizzy and he has just been whiny. (Konner had a blood draw on Thursday of last week- and then I said “so he will have another one on Monday- right?” and they told me that he could wait till Wed when we went to Madison. So as you can tell I am a little irritated that I did not PUSH for his blood draw on Monday- we could have caught the RISE a little earlier).
Overall, Konner is ONLY almost 2 weeks Post OP. He is doing remarkable. He really does not let things get him down. Mom and Dad took out his Chest tube sutures on Sunday and he started removing his steri strips off his chest incision…. so he is currently TAPE free. Not Adhesive free though- you should see his poor chest, legs and arms. Adhesive everywhere. Yes, I have adhesive remover but just wiping it right now causes bruising, so we will WAIT to scrub on his skin. He just looks like he went through a TAPE roller. Again, If this is one of my biggest concerns, you call tell that things are really going well.
I think the hardest thing right now for me, is that I have to be right by him all the time. He has a hard time standing up from a sitting position or sometimes getting off the couch- so he is pretty NEEDY. Plus I like to be around him, to keep him out of harms way. My house is out of control right now, as I have not done much of anything in a week. Yikes!
Thanks soooo much for all the kind words, prayers, cards, meals and thoughts…… we feel each and everyone of them.
~Jennifer