12/27 - early afternoon

There is always so much activity here just for Sam.  He is getting the most incredible care and attention, which I know he'd hate.  I love that they do the majority of the work in Sam's room and don't have to move him around excessively.  This morning's adventures have included:

• multiple X-rays
• visit from PT, Trauma Nurse Practitioner, respiratory
• an attempt to replace his arterial line since they detected an infection in the old one ("attempt" because he was still too puffy to get in, and they didn't want to use him as a pincushion.)
• Lowering of meds to control bp (that seems to be stabilizing as more fluid comes off) 
• Lowering of meds for sedation (time to wake up)

I also got to listen in (and participate) in rounds.  Which is great, because since I now have a cold, I was already dressed for the part:

No, I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Children's Hospital last night.

I felt all bonafide and whatnot. I appreciated being included, and I really didn't feel excessively stupid, considering we are just now moving into day 15 of this quest to get our boy back.  

One of the most impressive parts of this establishment is that even when there is 'bad' news, there is always a plan, and there is never an attitude of giving up or hand-wringing. It's always, "Here's the plan. If it doesn't work, here's the new plan." The nurse practitioner is already contacting rehab to secure him a bed. REHAB. Once all of the kidney and lung stuff (I'll explain shortly) is resolved, we're talking about rehab. All of that hope we held on to for dear life last week is now shared by the staff here. I thanked her for that. It takes some of my stress away, although I just seem to swap one stress for a new one. I feel it's important to have variety in one's life.

If you've been reading, you already know about the kidney issues.  Something else they're monitoring is that his lungs are progressively less clear with each X-ray.  Right now they are trying to determine if it is a new infection, or if it's just fluid, which should be drawn off with dialysis.  Whatever it turns out to be, they are on top of it, and (naturally) have a plan.  

Thank you for your neverending prayers and support. We are able to continue this fight because of all of you. 

Because this picture always makes me laugh, and I think we all could use a good laugh right about now...