Eek! Sorry I didnt update at all yesterday. An amazing friend flew in Thursday night to spend time with us, and help get my mind off things.. But was ultimately able to witness AMAZING news yesterday. Dr. Fynn-Thompson stopped by yesterday morning. Hes the long term life support and transplant surgeon. After reviewing Noahs imaging, and his current status.. He asked that we keep Noah on the ECMO flow as is. Since Thursday night, Noah has been receiving room air oxygen (21%) through the ECMO circuit, but OXYGENATING HIMSELF via 60% from the ventilator. Its proof that Noahs lungs and shunt are capable of supporting Noah, as long as he has good heart function. On the higher flow, Noah produces 40-50+ mL of urine an hour.. Which hopefully proves he hasnt sustained irreversible kidney damage. His liver numbers look good, Noah has pooped every day since on the higher flow, which means that his bowels work with good perfusion. If Noah continues to maintain stability with ECMO only pumping blood for him.. Hell have a Berlin heart placed on Monday. 😁 the chances of the Berlin being placed are looking pretty good. But it doesnt guarantee Noah will make it to transplant. Noah will have to make it through his 4th surgery, 3rd run on bypass in less than 4 months. Hell have to respond well to the VAD. Hell probably have to be able to wake up, and be extubated. There are still tests well have to run to determine if Noah is even a candidate for a new heart. Theyll want to make sure he can tolerate feeds again, which he hasnt been able to do in nearly 3 months. Theyll want to check his neurological status, because of the strokes. Check his antibodies, and look at the odds hed have of rejecting the heart. If all goes in Noahs favor, he would be listed. But the VAD may not work forever. Noahs heart is very sick, and hed have to stay alive, and in decent enough shape to stay listed, and make it long enough to see his new heart. There are no guarantees. A lot of ifs. A lot of maybes. But the surgeon yesterday emphasized that he would not put Noah through anything he didnt think he could benefit from, and the fact that Noah is even a candidate for a VAD is HUGE. Despite all the maybes, I have so much hope. It is so incredibly amazing to know that this isnt the end for Noah, and in fact, may be the beginning of a long road to recovery.. And I can one day take my baby home. I cant even explain the joy that I feel in being able to say that! I love him SO, so much.. And he still has a fighting chance!! ❤️💙
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 16:35:42 +0000