Day Two, almost through

Well the end of the day has come and it certainly ended better than it started. After I posted this morning, we went back to the PICU a little refreshed, thanks to a shower and food. We met with the neurosurgeons, neurology, ENT, and the critical care doctors. They all felt that his seizure was probably caused by his respiratory distress. They continued the seizure maintenance medication, the antibiotics, steroids, and anti-inflammatory medications. He had three IV pumps all going at the same time. He had been having trouble with his arterial line (used to measure blood pressure and draw blood when needed.) They were finally able to get it positioned correctly so that the alarms would stop. The ENT came by and cleaned out his nose so that he could breathe more freely. After that he made a quick turnaround. They were able to take him off the oxygen and just have him on humidified room air. His oxygen saturation is staying at close to 100 percent and his respiratory rate is back to a more relaxed pace. He had a fever earlier today, but that is normal for up to 24 hours after surgery. They gave him a dose of Tylenol and another dose of morphine and he slept for a while. His fever is gone and his temperature is normal. He hasn't had any pain medication since that dose around lunch time. He is more awake and moving his arms and legs. We think that he is frustrated because he can't open his eyes. He is still very swollen and the neurosurgeon said that it will probably peak tomorrow and then start to go down. They are going to remove the dressing around his head and check his incision. They will leave the bandages off and let it air out. We are not too excited about seeing it, but we will manage. If he continues to do well through the night and tomorrow morning, he will move off the PICU up to a room. From there it will just depend on how he does, as to when he comes home. The doctor wants him tolerating solid foods, pain managed by Tylenol, and breathing normally. We will keep you posted and thanks for all the calls and prayers. They were certainly needed today and they seem to have been answered as he is doing so much better.