Ruby had a relatively uneventful night last night. As we were leaving, they rolled her onto her right side, where the cannula is, and she hated that. She started "breathing over her vent", which means she was breathing on her own more quickly than the ventilator is puffing into her lungs. We let her sit there for a while, but then the nurse decided to give her a "rescue", which is an extra temporary boost of sedatives to get her to calm down. The first time I heard say they were "giving Ruby a rescue", I was scared she was dying or choking or her heart stopped or something, but it's just a term to indicate a dose of medication intended to resolve a specific situation, rather than one you're taking on a regular basis . For the first few days, she was getting rescues constantly, then she was only getting them when they had to touch her for something. And now it's very rare. The goal for today is to ween her from the dopamine completely. It is being administered to her to raise her blood pressure. But she cannot have it and take the diuretic medication at the same time, which will flush out the excess fluids and puffiness that are an expected side-effect of going onto ECMO. Once she's on that, she will probably lose a little of the "water weight" she currently is carrying. Completing these two items are among the requirements for doing the surgery to repair her diaphragm and move her stomach back down away from her lungs. But lets not get too far ahead of ourselves. The doctors will be by on their daily "rounds" soon to check her out and give the orders of the day.
I don't think I've said it, but thanks for all the comments, support, prayers, thoughts and kindness from everyone! And we know that there's many more people reading about Ruby than are posting comments, which is fantastic too. Honestly, even when we meet the parents of other seriously sick babies here in the NICU, I never know what to say. So I'm impressed when others do.
Well, the herd of doctors are here for rounds now and I'd like to eavesdrop on what they say. So here's hoping for another boring day!
Ruby is so precious! I
Ruby is so precious! I remember coming to see Braden one moring and the nurse told me he had to be "rescued" last night. I almost fell to the floor thinking he stopped breathing or something! It sure is scary! Hoping for more boring days and nights for Ruby! What a strong little girl!
Karla
Braden's Mom
Oh, my what a beautiful
Oh, my what a beautiful little girl! I am praying for Ruby to respond just as the doctors need. Thank you for keeping us updated with the blog. In Christian love,
I hope today was another
I hope today was another good day for Ruby, and for you guys. You are in our thoughts, all the time...
Natalie
I am Tim's sister and he has
I am Tim's sister and he has been keeping us posted on this- he thinks a lot of you guys and I think Hector has tamed your cats... Hope sweet Ruby continues her progress.
Slow steady
Slow steady improvements...Yeah, Ruby! I'm hoping tomorrow is just as good. We all love you three, like Missy said, that's why we electronically send you all the love and good thoughts and such. Hugs and kisses, Amy
Thanks again for the post! I
Thanks again for the post! I check it several times a day. It's all my mind can think about. I can't believe how full her room is of equipment. I think you did a great job explaining it to all of us! I'm overjoyed to hear that Ruby is having some boring days and nights now. We love all of you very much, The Buehlers
Keep up the good work, you
Keep up the good work, you 3! & keep them posts comming! There's a whole heard of Okies & Okie transplants rootin for yall!
Not that it matters to you
Not that it matters to you one bit but I do know how to spell poles. : )
Chris, I loved your
Chris,
I loved your explaination of things around little Ruby-love-baby. I used to call my IV polls "trees" also, so I think thats the official term. LOL. Hang in there. Give my love to Holly and your precious little one. And you too of course.
xo, Karan
Glad to hear that Ruby had a
Glad to hear that Ruby had a good night. Looking forward to the update from the doctor's rounds, hopefully they will give you a date for surgery.
We are thinking about you.
Ingrid, Alex & Alina
When we were in the NICU
When we were in the NICU with our Angel, Grayton, we called it the NICU Shuffle - referring to the 2 steps forward, 1 step back. However, I think Ruby's doing her own slow dance, and it's a beautiful, at-her-own pace, number.
Hang in there and know you have people all over Alabama and Florida praying for you. We aren't referred to as "The Bible Belt" for nothing! :)
Can't wait to hear what the doctor's said (hopefully, all good). I, too, liked to "over hear" what they were saying.
Leigh Creekbaum
mom to CDH Angel Grayton Creekbaum, 5/9/08 - 6/22/08
Hey, Chris - You and Holly
Hey, Chris - You and Holly and gorgeous little Ruby are in my constant thoughts and prayers. Many hugs...
Chris, It's so good to hear
Chris,
It's so good to hear that things are getting clearer and she's getting stronger.
The reason we send all of the love is because you're amazing people and great friends. :)
Keeping our fingers crossed for another smooth day.
Lots of love,
Missy, Larry and Anthony
Glad to heat that Ruby had
Glad to heat that Ruby had another good night. We are also praying that she does well and can beat CDH.
Glad to hear Ruby had a
Glad to hear Ruby had a peaceful night. Just prayed for those two specific things, blood pressure and flushing out excess fluids, and will continue to pray throughout the day. "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him."
Keep up that boring stuff
Keep up that boring stuff Ruby!!
I'm so glad you all had an
I'm so glad you all had an uneventful night last night. Thanks for clarifying what a "rescue" is. I'm sure that must have scared the bejeebers out of you and Holly when you first heard it!
One day at a time...one goal at a time...every step of the way we are thinking about you guys and sending our thoughts and love...
Tami, Chuck, and Aisling
We are praying every day for
We are praying every day for baby Ruby, the medical team and all of you. May God watch over you during this difficult time. Love, Perry & Laree
Glad to hear Ruby is holding
Glad to hear Ruby is holding her own.. I will continue to hold all of u in my thoughts! Lets pray that everyday is she getting stronger and continues on a path that will bring her to next step!
Joanna and Fil