Ups and Downs

   Amber and I went in a little later this morning.  We were able to get Vivienne up and moving before leaving for the hospital.  It was really nice to see her first thing and then head off Milo's temporary home.  We arrived at the hospital about 30 minutes before the doctors' rounds.  It was enough time to get settled in and visit with him before we received any new information. 

   Today was a great day for Milo's lung recovery.  His inflammation seems to be almost completely healed.  When we arrived he was barely getting support from the oscillating ventilator and the blood pressure medicine they were providing him had been weaned and the machine had been removed.  It was so relieving to see a piece of equipment missing from his little corner.  After rounds, the doctors decided to move him back to a conventional ventilator.  This is a huge step in his recovery and they are planning on spending the next couple of days weaning him down so that he is ready to be extubated following the surgery.

   We were visited by a large group of cardiologists and surgical nurses a couple of hours later.  They have determined that Milo has a unique coarctation that would require more imaging before surgery.  They believe that his narrowing is longer and further down the aorta than a usual coarctation.  On Thursday, he will have to undergo an additional procedure where they will take a cardiac catheter and insert it into his thigh.  They will snake a camera all the way up to his heart and see exactly what they are dealing with.  There is still a possibility that he will have the repair surgery on Friday.  We weren't anticipating him having to undergo two surgeries in a row and were pretty shaken up after hearing all of this.

  The greatest moment of the day was when Amber was finally able to hold Milo again after he was off of the oscillator.  It was a very special moment for all of us!  We just can't wait for all of this to be over so that we can take him home. 

  Thank you all again for your kind wishes and good thoughts for Milo!  We tell him everyday that many people are thinking of him and wishing him a speedy recovery.