Post-Op Day 2

Levi's sleeping right now while my aunt is with him, so I'm getting some fresh air in one of the many garden areas at LPCH.  I love that there are so many places we can go to escape the hospital room.  It's really a beautiful campus.

Levi slept most of last night, which is good.  When he awoke this morning, he had a hard time settling down.  James was with him at that point and after trying several things to calm him, one of the nurses suggested a wagon ride.  Bingo.  As long as he was moving, he was quiet.  I arrived just in time to see our sweet boy sitting up in his wagon.  Of course, along came all of the medical equipment too, but it was great to see him out of bed.

After the wagon ride he settled back in bed for a short nap.  When he woke up he was not happy.  I think he was still tired.  So we took turns holding him, singing to him, and turned on the Princess and the Frog.  He just wasn't feeling great I think and was still really tired.  Finally, after some more Tylenol and Toradol for pain relief, he settled down to sleep in his crib.  He wasn't very interested in eating much this morning, but hopefully once he wakes up rested we can try giving him real food like bananas, yogurt, and Cherrios.

During rounds this morning, the doctors said everything is still looking good.  He still has to keep his chest tube in for at least another day though, since the drainage wasn't below the level for pulling it out.  He does get the line in his neck out today, so that should make him feel a little better.  They also decided he should spend another day in the CVICU before moving up a floor.  They thought it'd be better to move on a Monday than a Sunday, due to rooms and staffing.  The doctors' main focus now is keeping Levi in a good mood...finding forms of entertainment, food, etc.

So, all is going pretty well.  The whole one-year-old in a hospital setting is still tough though.  Hopefully he'll continue to perk up, feel better, eat more, and be in a good mood.

Afternoon update:

Levi went for another wagon ride with James and the nurse and they went outside on the patio!  Levi ate part of a popsicle, his first one ever, and part of a yogurt.  The nurse taught him how to say "brrrr" and shake his head.  She's really sweet and Levi is seriously in love with her.  He puts his blanket over his head and brings it back down to play peek-a-boo with her and she had him giggling and smiling many times.  It's hard to believe it's been just over 48 hours since his open heart surgery.

I thought I'd give you bit of a photo tour of where we are...

LPCH

One of the beautiful gardens here.

This is where I like to sit for breaks and blog updates

Our home away from home, the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

The waiting area just outside the CVICU.  This is where we waited just before seeing Levi for the fist time after surgery.

asleep with Elephant

first wagon ride - morning

still a bit groggy, but enjoying the ride

holding Levi for the first time

Hurray for visitors!

Look, I can sit up!  I really do like it, even though it doesn't look like it.

Afternoon ride in the CVICU

Can we go out there yet?  

Things are getting better each day.