Back on the PICU.

So far so good!!

Theo with his ever loving nurse

When Colin returns to work very soon we will be very limited about visiting Theo as I will have only 10-2 during the day and Tabitha with me. While Tabitha is with me I can do nothing with Theo as the ICU is not a nursery. People keep asking how they can help - having Tabby for me for a few hours here and there would be the single most useful thing you could do. Please, if you can manage, let me know.

We enjoyed a really very lovely cuddle for an
hour and a half. Theo was so settled and snuggly
I didnt want to put him down but i really really

really needed a wee. willow

Theo came out of the theatre much sooner that we had anticipated. Dr Duke was thrilled with the ease of hepatic access and proclaimed his intent to repeat it. On another patient, I expect. The entry wound was approx...wide and has a mr happy plaster across it. amazing.
we have found an x-ray online of a heart with a stent in it - it's not theo's nor is it in the same place, but you get an idea of it.

http://www.sahha.gov.mt/showdoc.aspx?id=559&filesource=4&file=fig07.jpg

Initial results show that the blood is flowing through it as planned and the pressures have reduced appropriately.

He was truly very alert during our cuddle. His eyes are clear and he was looking at everything. I did hope for a smile but it hasnt happened yet. sigh!

Long term results will be monitored over the ensuing weeks - nobody is expecting an overnight miracle.

Today Theo is to be left alone to recover. His sedation is reduced in stages and he is monitored on all fronts for signs of infection, stent displacement, embolism etc.

Proper mummy- baby eye contact. Got to say though that he looks likes he's trying to tell me off.

Personally, I am naturally relieved this bit is over and he did not die but the massive distance remaining daunts me and saddens me. It's not enough comfort for me that he survived this when I know there are still so many unknown risks for him. Yesterday was the crest of a wave and we crashed onto a shore intact. But let's face it, it's an unexplored territory and we are already so exhausted and drained. The way I hunger to hold my baby - it feels as though he were carved from my body with a sharp knife - does not leave me, so when I observe him, sometimes it feels as though I had already lost him.

But he is still with us and probably has plenty of mileage in him. I asked when the stent would be taken out and the response was 'when his heart is explanted, when he has his heart transplant'. I cant bring myself to think that far ahead right now.

This is the wonderful Dr Abdul Duke, who bounced like a puppy, in delight at what he had achieved with the transhepatic stenting. It is to Dr Duke that we owe most gratitude as he is the gentle man who admitted Theo to PICU on the 29th July 2008.

Dr Duke with his star patient!

He really wants Theo to get better now.

Thank you for ongoing support.