Life in the PICU

Wyatt's oxygen rate was dropping rather quickly.  Our nurse had to call rapid response, again, for their help.  They talked to me about what might possibly be going on.  I asked the doctor if one of the possible complications during the surgery had been the cause.  They weren't sure, however, this information was very helpful in determining the cause.  More on the cause later.  They used the blow by to get oxygen to him while they moved him into the PICU.  They put him on CPAP in hopes that it would suffice.  It did not.  Once in the PICU, they had to intubate him, which meant that he was back on the ventilator.  And being back on the ventilator meant that he had to be sedated. 

On Saturday, they took Wyatt off of the ventilator because they felt like he was breathing well on his own.  His respiration rate became very fast and his heart rate rose.  They put him back on the ventilator Monday morning and they took an x-ray and found that Wyatt had fluid on his left lung.  Because his diaphragm was pushed up against the lung, fluid accumulated around it.  The surgeons put a chest tube in to drain the fluid.  In the process of this, they found that his left lung had collapsed.  On Tuesday, they scheduled Wyatt for another scope.  They felt as though a mucus plug had caused air to be blocked from his lung and for it to collapse.  The surgeons were able to determine through the scope, that there were multiple mucus plugs.  They were also able to remove several of them.  Wyatt's lung re inflated rather quickly.  So, Wyatt had been breathing, off of the ventilator, for more than 36 hours on one lung.  Please keep in mind that the right lung is compromised because his heart is on that side.

So, it turns out that one of the possible complications from surgery, that we had been informed of prior to, indeed had caused Wyatt's breathing issues.  It seems that during the surgery, the nerve to the diaphragm had to be moved, not cut but rather slightly pushed to the side, in order to get to the aorta.  In doing so, it paralyzed the nerve. The surgeon had informed us that by moving it, possible paralyzing could occur.  Indeed, this happened.  The left side of Wyatt's chest is where the incision was made to do the aortapexy. 
The doctors had hopped that by giving his body time to rest, this nerve would recover and heal itself.  They have now given him 7 days, and this has not occurred.  They have attempted to wean him off of the ventilator, and he has failed each time.

This morning, seven days after the aortapexy surgery, our surgery team came in and they feel as though surgery is the only option.  This surgery will be to tact the left diaphragm to the right.  So that when the his right side moves, it will move the left, allowing him to breathe easier.  I don't know much more information about the surgery, but I will post more information when I get the chance.

On a side note, I just want to vent on how hard this is for me.  I have tried to stay oh so strong for everyone, for Wyatt, Mike, my family.  But honestly, I don't know if I can much longer.  I have gone 7 days now and have not been able to hold my baby.  He has been sedated for 95% of this time and on a ventilator.  All my baby does is sleep (if that's what you call it).  Prior to the aortapexy surgery, he was so happy, playing with his feet.  Now, it's a miracle if he opens his eyes enough for me to see them.  I want my baby back.