Weston 2.0 Update

TCH Day 16: Post-Transplant Day 3

I can't lie, I am disappointed today. Weston is STILL intubated and will likely stay intubated for the next couple of days.

Here's are the issues:

When the new liver was put into Weston, they had to sew the arteries and veins to establish blood flow from Weston to the new liver.

SO, in order to protect these anastomoses, the liver team likes to keep the patient "positive" for fluid (input vs output). Well, as we all know W was having issues with fluid overload in the first place. AND with all the extra fluid they have been keeping on him, his lungs are "wet".

It is a very bad idea to try to extubate "wet" lungs. He probably wouldn't be able to breathe adequately and would end up re-intubated.

Ok. Yet another issue...

Breathing through an ET tube is very much like breathing through a coffee straw. And, no doubt, super uncomfortable.

Wes hates his ET tube.

With a burning, unbridled passion.

So, they have to keep him sedated, otherwise he works himself up into such a tizzy that he is actually  lowers his heart rate and drop his oxygen concentration.

Funny enough, as I am having my little rant here, I just spoke with our transplant coordinator who gently reminded me that I am not his nurse, but his mother.

And it is far better for him to be on the vent than back on the list.

Rats! I hate being put in my place, LOL!

Bottom line, they are slowly starting some albumin and lasix today.

Now for something completely different...

I haven't spent this much time with my husband in the last 3 months.

AND I am thrilled to report that for the past 2 nights, I have had two nights of uninterrupted sleep. A first in 8 months.

We have been staying at a hotel in the Medical District that is ~1/2 mile from hotel door to hospital door. So we have been walking to and fro, a few times a day.

I have so enjoyed our walks.

It is the first consistent exercise I've been able to get since Weston was born.

I thought I'd share some highlights from our route.

The Medical District is truly amazing. So many hospitals and research facilities. Of course MD Anderson had many, many buildings here.

This is one of MD Anderson's buildings...Houston Main Building.

It is UBER creep-tastic. It is due for demolition, so it is vacant and a run down.

It gives me the heebie jeebies. Yeeesh!

There are random windows open all over and the windows open out, like a horizontal V than up and down.

It seriously looks like a mental institution....one that is haunted by the heinously mistreated patients that revolted and killed all the staff and ultimately themselves.

Unfortunately. it doesn't have such a colorful history...rather bland.

We are really impressed with the upkeep and how NICE this area is. Austin and Dallas' medical districts are not so fabu and safe.

This is part of the landscaping outside of the TCH and St. Luke's entrance.

The picture does not do it justice. It is so pretty and SMELLS so good.

The only not-so-good thing, are the nasty pigeons. They and their souvenirs are everywhere...

This particular one decided he wanted to cozy up next to us during lunch.

I hate birds. They are terrifying.

I did not reciprocate his need for affection.

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