After surgery, they tell you that once he starts coming off of things, they start coming off really fast. This was no lie! He was intubated and had many lines and tubes the day after surgery.
Two days after surgery he was extubated, chest tube out, as well as off a lot of his meds.
By the afternoon he was allowed to breastfeed again! I was so happy and shocked that I could have cried.
He fed so well over the next 12 hours that the next morning we were sent to the Med Surg floor. They told me that besides breathing issues, feeding issues are the main reason that babies stay in ICU and hospital for a while.
Hector was feeding like a champ. He took a little while (understandably) to sleep well again, as he was uncomfortable, but he did so well.
5 days post op we were sent home on no more than a diuretic and Tylenol. We didn't tell many people we were home until later in the week. Trying to get used to being a family of five with a newborn who needs special care is tough, but we are learning everyday. We have been home for almost two weeks now and have found a little bit of a groove.
It's still worrisome sometimes because Hector is very susceptible to infections and can not be around anyone who is sick or has been around sick people. They sent us home with a list of recommendations, one being staying out of public places for 4-6 weeks. So the whole process has been a little isolating, but I am counting down the days until little Hector is considered fully healed (which happens to coincide nicely with his 2 month vaccinations) and we can go do things with his brothers, and he can meet the people who were rooting for him.
The outpouring of love and support for this little man and our family has been incredible. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
