THURSDAY UPDATE.....

First I want to say thank you. Thank you to all the visitors, texts, calls, emails, blog comments, thoughts and prayers. I cannot tell you all how much difference it makes to hear the encouragement. Last night went as well as could be expected. They started giving Cooper some "beefed up" blood, meaning blood that had been enriched. Other than that they just continually took labs and monitored him. This morning Dr. O'Brien and Dr. Kaine (surgeon and cardiologist) were both in and basically told us it is just a waiting game. There is no magical number of days he will remain like this or any particular thing they look for to decide when to try to take him off the machines. It is all just time, time for his heart and lungs to recover. Dr. O'Brien is leaving for the weekend and won't be back until Tuesday so he thought they would wait until late Monday or Tuesday before they tried to take him off so that if it does not work and they would have to take him back into surgery he would be here. So that is the game plan. Today Cooper started to wake up about every 2 hours and they had to give him additional "sleepy" medicine and even eventually had to give him meds that paralyzed him. When it first started happening I freaked out because I was terrified that he was in pain. They assured me he may feel a little discomfort but no pain. Tonight they are finally starting to get him under control so that he is not waking. They have given him extra calcium and potassium. They also have began "feeding" him with lipids and other nutrients. They have had to give him quite a bit of blood and extra platelets. All in all though they have said he is doing good. But really what can he do wrong when machines are doing all the work!

Today in the little cubicle next to us there was another cardiac baby. He was also Dr. O'Brien's patient. All the sudden there was craziness over there and they came over and shut our glass door but I could still see. Several people went in and then the Mom screamed with cries and one by one people came out. Her baby died. There was this big lump in my throat and I just couldn't quit watching. I kept asking my nurse what happens next and so they told me. They let the Mother stay there with her baby as long as she likes. The clean him/her up the best they can and they disconnect all IVs and whatever else their may be. Then they even let them give the baby a bath and dress him/her. I couldn't imagine....I don't want to imagine! I just wanted to hug the Mom but of course I stayed put. Then Dr. O'Brien walked out. Our eyes met and you could just see his sadness. He looked at me for a long time and then gave me a soft smile as if to say he wished I had not just seen that. I can't seem to get it out of my head! I just keep thinking how quick it all happened. I don't know what exactly was wrong with him and have not asked, I don't want to know! However, I do know he was a cardiac patient and that alone terrifies me.

Today went by really fast!!! My family came up last night and got to Sherri's around 10 pm. They came over to the hospital this morning and it was soooooooooooooo good to see them. The best part is they brought Raelynn! She gave me the biggest and tightest hug ever and I knew it was going to be a better day. We just couldn't quit hugging each other. I have missed her even more than I realized. So for a big part of the day Mom and the girls were here to keep us company. Then Lisa came to visit and it was a great surprise. Raelynn was super happy to see her and I know Cooper knew she was here too. Late afternoon they all left and my friend Amy came. We caught up on each others lives while we stood by Cooper keeping him company. We ate dinner together and now I finally am sitting down long enough to update the blog. It was really a good day and great seeing everyone! So now it has quieted down and I have caught up on the daily nurse gossip :) We really have been here too much that we are in on the gossip! We will keep things basically the same tonight and tomorrow. As always please continue to pray for a little fighter but tonight please also pray for the Mom whose little fighter gave up the fight today.