Feb 13, 2009

post-op, day 1




Today, when we came in, Davis was off minimal stimulation! No more headphones, eye mask, or screen around his crib. He was just hanging out, being a normal baby, but still pretty zonked after surgery and all that anesthesia. 

He is doing amazingly well. The doctors prepared us for the fact that Davis might be sicker after surgery, but so far he's definitely proving them wrong. He is almost off nitric and on very low ventilator settings. Today, his doctor told us she would extubate him today if not for the morphine he's on for pain (morphine causes slowed breathing- as soon as he's off, he can breathe room air). She also said Davis has the most lung of any CDH baby she'd ever seen (!!!!!!), and this from a doctor who worked at a major CDH center in Florida. He continues to amaze us with his progress, and there's a possibility that we may get to hold him on Saturday. 

Davis is really, really strong. He no longer needs one nurse that attends only to him... now, he shares a nurse with another baby that will move into his room this evening. We love him so much and can't wait to take him home. That day seems closer and closer all the time...

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is such wonderfunl news...the most lung ever!!! And it's so great to hear he's lost all the gear:) Saturday is tomorrow!!!!!!!
Your arms around Davis will be the best medicine he could ever receive...(and the very best medicine for YOU too) please give the little guy a hug for me and tell him I love him so much. Tell him he'll always be 'My Valentine' I can't wait to hear the joy in your voice when I talk to you. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Aunt Catherine

kat said...

thank YOU for this news, relieved to know Davis is doing so well !

<3

*super dude and super dog* said...

Wow, Davis looks fantastic and he has made more progress in 1 day than Carter made in 2 weeks! We're trying to prepare for the pics of you guys holding Davis for the first time. It will be a tear jerker for all of us Davis groupies. All of the headaches of the past few months were definitely worth it weren't they?

SKT said...

He looks GREAT!! You are all in our thoughts and prayers, and will continue to be :) <3

Linda said...

What amazing news! Your son continues to impress us all with his fortitude. I can't believe you may be holding him soon! We will be praying that everything continues to go according to the best case possible plan.
Love to all,
Linda David & Scott

Anonymous said...

go Davis! so happy to read how great he is doing. he is one tough little guy. hope it is smooth sailing from this point on.
Joanne and John Michael R-CDH 3/11/07

Alison, Chris, Davis and Ryan Cieszko said...

Prayers that Davis will continue to move steadily forward through his recovery.

Love and prayers, Chris, Alison, & Davis Michael Cieszko

Nick Friedman said...

Great news!

Jen said...

Way to go Davis!! Can't wait to see pics in Mommy and Daddy's arms!

Anonymous said...

Davis, you are on our prayer list at Glady Branch Baptist Church. We are praying for you, that God would give you strength and healing. God bless you amd your mommy and daddy.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! That's great. You folks be very careful and tell the nurses to be also. I undertstand there are two cases of MRSA in the "Preemy" clinic in Chapel Hill.
We love all three of you and thanks again for the chance to see him the other day. Great Grandma and Grandpa

Anonymous said...

Yayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! Davis is beautiful. And amazing. And I am so proud of his progress. I said a prayer for him first thing when I woke up this morning. And I'm going to be praying that you get to hold him on Saturday, because I know you want that so much... what a beautiful Valentine's Day gift that would be! I love that little man and I haven't even met him yet.
Much Love,
*Noelle

Anonymous said...

way to go davis!!! that is great news! thank you for keeping us posted! prayers for all!!!!

Tracy Meats said...

Wonderful news!! You will get to hold that baby boy very soon!! Keep fighting Davis.

Tracy Meats - WY and CO State Rep. for CHERUBS

Tricia said...

Hello! I happened upon your blog! I just wanted to say that our daughter had the Ladd's procedure done as well, although it was a couple months after her original repair surgery. her small intestines were twisted around her large intestines and causing intermittent bowel obstruction.

They basically separate the large intestines from the small intestines so they can't get tangled up. (They should've also done an appendectomy at the same time, as his appendix would've ended up in the wrong place, thereby costing dangerous time should it ever rupture in the future!)

If you have any questions about the procedure, feel free to contact me through my blog: http://kariabi.blogspot.com

Davis looks WONDERFUL! You will be able to hold him VERY soon!

Anonymous said...

Davis Michael Ashworth, may you serve as an eternal inspiration to those families who will come after you facing this very complex and frightening condition.

Nothing in this Universe happens without reason. Were it no so, there could be no hope.

Know that you have been covered all along by Angel's wings, though they be earth-bound and invisible to all who cannot see.

The No Surrender Crew

Anonymous said...

Happy first Valentine 'Little Salt',So glad to see you're doing so well.Linds and Micheal hope you got to hold baby Davis today. We're so proud of all a ya'll. What a special day. Jesus loves you and angels are watching over you.Hope to hear from you soon. Love,Gee Robyn & Axel.