this just in...

Guess who decided he was finally ready to breathe on his own? (Ayden, duh!) He was grasping at his breathing tube this morning apparently, trying to rip it out. So, the docs decided today was the day he was going to start breathing himself. They didn't give him any caffeine or anything, they just took it out. And boom, he was breathing on his own. I think the nurse said it was around 11 or 12 this morning, and as of 5:15 when I left the hospital he was still doing really well. I feel like I'm jinxing it even talking about it, but it's hard not to be excited about that.

And even from Sunday he looks better. I don't know what's going on with this little guy, but today he is doing better and we're all thankful for that. I am trying to remain optimistic, but not get my hopes too high, you know? We all know things can turn at any moment. But to see him awake and breathing when he was knocking on death's door 3 days ago....how can I not be hopeful for better things to come?

On top of that, I actually got to hold him today for the first time in AGES. Yay!

So, what's new from Sunday? Well, he's breathing, obviously. Still waiting on the antibiotics to fix up the spot in his arm and to hopefully take care of the infection that is still in his brain. I don't believe there's any more swelling; at this point it's just fluid sitting up there. A shunt will take care of that, just as soon as the infection gets cleared away. He's scheduled for 6 more weeks of antibiotics, so there's still a long way to go.

Yesterday one of the genetics doctors accidentally pulled out his picc line when he was looking Ayden over. (Not happy about that!) They were going to reinsert it, but yesterday Ayden had a fever. So I guess they're going to wait for a bit to put it back in? He didn't have a fever today, so who knows. It'll have to be soon though of course. Naturally it's concerning to think about him going back under anesthesia. But we'll hope for the best. Oh, he will also be getting a new feeding tube "button" thing. Instead of a tube hanging out of his stomach he'll have a little button that has adapters attached to it. Easier to maintain obviously, and less likely to be pulled out. That should happen soon, as long as things continue to go well.

So, why the genetics doc? Well, they're trying to figure out what was going on with Ayden from birth. He was stiff with his hands raised to his face all the time, not able to move. He never seemed to open both eyes at once and his face was always puckered. So why was he sent home? Apparently those are all signs of neurological damage. They're now looking into information from the hospital where he was born and into the pediatrician to okay'd him to go home. The hospital is suggesting that it be looked into and to get a lawyer, all things considered. Lawsuit anyone?

At any rate, they can't really look into any other issues with his brain until the fluid is removed. And they surely can't do a shunt with the infection. So it could be a while. Until then the doctors are "hitting the books" to try to figure out what they think the problem might be based on all the information we do currently have. It was neat seeing them all in there today talking and working things out. Kind of like an episode of House, minus the douchey doctor. (Although I do wish he were a real doctor, he could have figured this thing out in an hour....)

Poor Ayden was all worked up there right before I left. Apparently he hadn't eaten since this morning and they were waiting until the afternoon to feed him. Something about not wanting him to aspirate on his food. (He has a feeding tube in his stomach, and with his surgery he can't even throw up, so I don't really understand that. But, I'm not a doctor.) Hopefully by now he's eaten and is in a better mood.

Over all, I'm pleased for today. He's looking better and is certainly perkier, so that is always encouraging. And when doctors come in and start talking about "6 weeks from now..." you can't help but feel a little excited. Here's to hoping things continue to look up. :)