Ruby is better. She got a chest tube installed on her left side, drained off over 125ml of fluid and is in a very happy place now. The extra fluid on her left lung was shifting everything over and putting pressure on her good right lung that wasn't used to being squished. So it was more of a fluid mechanics problem, really. They think that the extra pressure could have been aggrevating the blood vessles in her right lung and causing increased pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, the pain from the fluid was causing her to be agitated which further increases her hypertension.
She is back down to breathing air that is only 62% oxygen now (room air is 21%). Her ventilator is still at higher settings -- frequency is 50 breaths per minute and pressure is 25. We'll probably be going down on all those things tomorrow. She's still on inhaled nitric oxide, at 20 parts per million. Incidentally, nitric oxide was declared the "molecule of the year" in 1992 by Science magazine. In addition to helping keep Ruby alive, it's a key part of the effectiveness of Viagra and the physiological response it promotes, is part of the chemical reaction that occurs when fireflies flash at night, and is a major component of smog pollution. I expect it could also remove laundry stains, prevent rust and cure baldness.
It's been quite a rollercoaster of a day. Our poor nurse today worked herself ragged and got Ruby stable just in time to hand her off to the night nurse, who has hardly had to lift a finger because Ruby has been so good. Ruby's parents are quite worn out too. We're staying the night at the hospital tonight. I'll see if I can get some good photos of Ruby tomorrow.
Hooray for some stability
Hooray for some stability again. I'm so sorry she had all the fluid crowding her lungs again, but it sounds like she's back on the right path. I hope the hypertension disappears and goes away completely....have a happy, stable, quiet, sweet Friday!
Tami, Chuck, and Aisling
Great news!Well done little
Great news!Well done little Ruby!
Have a good night's rest all 3 of you.
Yay for NO!!! :) Lots of
Yay for NO!!! :)
Lots of love you three.
Missy, Larry and Anthony
Praise the Lord!! So glad
Praise the Lord!! So glad to hear she is doing better! Still praying for your Sweet Ruby!
Hope you all have a night with plenty of rest for you all, God Bless!
Sissy
Nashville, TN
Yay, Ruby! Chris, you made
Yay, Ruby! Chris, you made me giggle with the fluid mechanics comment and nitric oxide story. There is a guy from the engine division at John Deere who does a great talk about engine emissions and tier 4 regulations. When he talks about the nitric oxide component of smog, he tells one of two stories. If the room is pretty much full of men, he talks about Viagra (actually, I was the only woman in that room). If the room has more women in it, he talks about how that is what they gave his baby in the NICU. :) More steps forward than backward...sounds like Ruby's doing pretty dang good today. Love and hugs from IA!
Well, at least she is
Well, at least she is containing her excitement to the daytime.
Keep up the good work yall.
Yeah Ruby!
Yeah Ruby!
glad to see y'all are doing
glad to see y'all are doing OK hope that it continues to go well for y'all and can not wate to see moore pics get better ruby
shonnon carter
I'm so relieved to hear that
I'm so relieved to hear that Ruby is doing better this evening. I hope you all rest well tonight. Continued prayers for more steps forward....
Pam
Keep Resting Ruby, it's time
Keep Resting Ruby, it's time to take a couple more steps forward!
Can't wait to see more pics!
Ruby tell your parents to get some rest!
I love good news Tell Ruby
I love good news Tell Ruby not to use up all that nitric gas I am o,k, now at eighty seven but when I am ninety and having tea parties and taking walks with her I may need it great grand dad