Tuesday - January 15

An update on the happenings of today -

• 3 of the chest drainage tubes were removed (1 still in place)
• head ultrasound looked good
• tube feeding at 4cc per hour
• echocardiogram showed the surgical repair still looked good, but heart function is not as good as it was following the initial surgery and right ventricle was enlarged/thickened
• respirator was turned down slightly to 18 breaths per minute and oxygen rate down to 50% - keeping his oxygen saturation levels at 97-100%
• blood pressure is stable (controlled by heart medications)
• Kristan got a nap and a shower in the afternoon at the hotel where Chad stayed

Tomorrow

• CO2 test to see how his heart reacts to higher levels of CO2 that he may have when he goes to slee
• increase feedings 1cc every 4 hours
• gradually wean from respirator

This afternoon we went out to lunch. After the meal the waiter asked if we were in town for the National Western Stock Show. I told him no, that our son was in the hospital. He responded, "God bless his little heart." Chad & looked at each other, surprised at his exact words. We told him that God had blessed his heart and told him about all that Jesse had been through and how God had sustain him and us throughout it all. It turns out that the waiter, named Robert, a past cocaine addict, gang member, is a born-again Christian, and is now a preacher and has a ministry to the homeless. Chad and Robert had a good conversation about God, and God's limitless love and greatness. He said he would be praying for Jesse. We thank God for orchestrating this meeting with Robert. It was another encouragement to us.

Kristan and Chad