He is a good brother

Both of my kids are born on the same day but different month and year. Today, GJ turned 3 y/o and a month and KC turned 3 months old. Gerald is a good brother. He comforts his sister when she cries and dance in front of her when he hears the music not that the little one would understand that her brother is trying comfort by dancing. Well, sometimes mama is busy; therefore, brother took over to care his little sister. I am very proud of Gerald that he is very good with his little sister.

July fourth family Photos

We had a nice visit at my mother-in-laws house. She made BBQ spare ribs and it was delicious.
Gerald jay was very excited to see her, and so as grandma.

kathlyn hope in the living room. She is a quite baby...she only cry when she's hungry.

Gerald was doing his usually thing at granny's house going up and down the stairs. I wish he did that during the school evaluation. But he is catching up... he is getting stronger everyday.

A picture of Ralph and his three kids with Granda Ma.

A picture of me sleeping and my three kids with mom.

Fourth of July fun activity

GJ in the portable pool

It was a very hot and humid yesterday fourth of July, and I Gerald sweats a lot. Plus he was very irritable because he was hot. Therefore, I let him play in the portable pool in the patio. The water from the faucet was warm too, so it was a perfect temperature that he wont get cold. And I did not filled the pool with water completely because I was afraid that he might drown in that little pool. Just to be safe. Anyway, he enjoyed it and he tolerated it for quite a while enough for me to hang the clothes on the clothes lines, cleaning, and enough to eat lunch.

Gerald JAy at 3

GJ and his cowboy hat

The pose

Gerald Jay is doing great now. Everyday he is going back to his normal activities. The MRSA infection in his wound was very persistent that it keeps coming back. On the third time it occurred, Gerald was in pretty healthy body, no temps and no other associated signs and symptoms. We took him to the cardiac clinic, and the doctor drained out the pus. It was an easy and fast visit and they give him antibiotics for 10 days. Right now, he is doing real well.

Gerald Jay Turned 3!

Gerald turned three years old last Saturday. We had a small family birthday party, and we are all had fun . Gerald was very happy to play with the big kids out in the front yard. As far as the jeep that he got, he does not want to do anything with it. But we all had a great time. Thanks to all my family who make this birthday possible.Gerald Jay got a jeep!!! brom brom

A rocket card from Grandma...Thank you very much!

I was trying to get him open the card...

First time at the Beach!

************************ LATE POST ********************
It has been a while since the last time I saw the beach or simply the ocean water. My husband Ralph still on FMLA since I had my second baby and Gerald is now recovering well from the surgery and infection. We decided to take a short vacation to San Diego. Since Gerald jay have problem of turning blue sometimes the cardiologist was not comfortable if we take him to higher altitude; therefore, we decided to go to Southern California that have the lower elevation.

I was very excited because it was my first time to go to the beach here in the US. Also first time of my both kids to be in the beach. At first , Gerald was afraid of walking on the dry sand. I had to carry him all the way to the wet sand and let him experience the ocean water. Then later he got used to the water and play a little bit. The entire vacation was fun! Also, Gerald and Kathlyn travels very well. Plus, Gerald looks a whole lot better.
Taken early in the morning of May 26th, 2009 at the Imperial Beach. There were few people in that area.

This pic was at the state park beach. Gerald was very excited to play

Gerald jay and Daddy looking for mommy:)

Time to update! MRSA

MRSA reoccured!

Picture of Gerald jay's chest when we brought him back to ER
on April 5th, 2009.

It has been a while since the last time I posted an update to my blog. It was quite a challenged to write on my blog when things are to much to handle(busy). Well, anyway after Gerald was released from the hospital after his FONTAN procedure, he was just very sick. As I posted before that he had MRSA infection and he had the six weeks dosage of antibiotics. Apparently, MRSA is not kidding. MRSA stayed in GERALD's wound. He was home for eight days, but not doing so well. He was not able walk nor doing any of his normal routine like playing and be a kid. He only sleeps and sleeps and sleeps everyday. Eight days later, I woke up at 3am and he was already up. He asked for water ;therefore, I turned on the light so that I can give him what he wants, and there I saw his chest wound was all red and warm. His wound looks like a rubber eraser of a pencil that sticking out. We have to rushed him to ER at St. Joseph's Hospital for possible MRSA re-occurring. He was in again at the PCTICU at St. Joe's for 16 days and he is on the antibiotics for six weeks again.

While Gerald was back in the hospital, the next day I had my new born at the another hospital. My poor husband was exhausted from going back in fort in between two hospitals. My new born is doing well and she is now 1 month old (healthy heart).

Gerald now is back home for almost 4 week and doing a whole lot better. We are giving the rest of his antibiotics through his broviac (IV) couple times a day. The antibiotic will be complete by tomorrow the 17th of May. I am positive now that he is MRSA free ( I am praying and crossing my fingers). He looks totally different that the first time that they sent him home. He had a cardiologist appointment lat Thursday and the doctor said that he looks better now.

Gerald will be at the hospital on Monday to remove his broviac. I will post more information on how the doctors and surgeons deal the infection.

Thanks to all the PCTICU Nurses, Doctors, and Staff.

Expressing our Gratitude to all of you!
Thank you very much for taking such a good care of our son Gerald Jay. We are very fortunate that you have been here for us during these very stressful times. You’ve done an amazing job to take care of your patients.
You guys have an excellent team! More power to all of you.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all!

Cardiac Surgeons:
Dr. Cleaveland and Dr. Nigro

PCTICU Doctors:

Dr. Choi
Dr. Underwood
Dr. Lane
Dr. Grimalde
Dr. Yoon-Willis
Dr. Willis

APCC Cardiologist:
Dr. Nowlen
Dr. Shah
Dr. Worshien
Dr. Alhaderi
and other APCC cardiologist

PCTICU NURSES, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, SUPERVISORS & Managers

Nicole K.
Maryrose
Rhonda
Dana
Shawna
Cyril
Becky
Debbie
Tiffany
Leslie
Kristy
Brenda
Killi
Peggy
Laurel
Robbi
Arva
Gigi
Melissa
Kim
Claude
Teresa
Patricia
Becky
Amanda
Ashly
Nicole D.
Jamie & Jamie
Staci
Mary
Kathleen & Kathleen
Sally
Isumi
Elizabeth
Shelly
Jennifer & Jennifer
Ricole

Stacy G.
Jessica
Laura
Josie
Rebbecca
Michelle
Amy
Coleen
Nicole P.
Florence
and to all nurses that I forgot to get their names.

Respiratory Therapist:
Ginger
Beto
Jess
Kendra
Todd
Dave
Jared
Amber
Micco
and others too.

Also, thanks a lot to all the child life specialist, social workers and other staff.
Ashley and others child life staff
Stacy and Magie
and to Yolanda and others staff at St. Joe's PCTICU

Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts!

Day 52: Going Home Definitely!

We are going home definitely. Gerald had a bowel problem yesterday that is why they canceled our "going home" plans. However, the nurses make sure that we got all his medications ready. He has nine different kind of meds and two of them will be wean off in couple weeks. Also, they gave us nine cases of milk. Aren't they nice? I was very thankful that they do that. I really appreciated whatever help we can get. Anyway, last night the nurse practitioner was concerned that Gerald was having a constipation problem and emesis. I told her that that is his normal problem for almost 3 years now. She laughed at me actually, but that is the truth. That is the reason why we give him miralax or prune juice every morning to resolve his constipation problem. For his emesis I don't know what to do with that. Others said that his feeding tube also might contribute to his gouging plus he has acid reflux. He is on zantac again but higher dose this time since he is a lot bigger now.

Anyway, overall the heart surgery (FONTAN PROCEDURE) itself went well. He looks really good now and playing when his awake. He smiles a lot, thats got to be a good indication that he is feeling real well:).

I would like to extend our gratitude to all the doctors and nurse that took care of Gerald. Thank you very much, without your caring and loving job, we won't be here as Gerald and our family now. Thanks a lot!

Day 51; Going home may not!

Day 51Gerald is doing really well now. We are suppose to go home today around 4pm after the last dose of is antibiotic; however, last night he had diarrhea after they changed the calories of his feeds.

So, I was a bit disappointed when they told me that we might not go home today unless GJ's stool harden a little bit. Otherwise, we might coming back here if he keeps having diarrhea. I guess that is the best thing to do then.

He looks really good though! He keeps sleeping because of his some meds are for that reason. In this picture, he woke up around 8am, and he saw daddy taking picture of him. He has such a beautiful smile in this picture.

Day 49: O2 problem might be over!

Day 49.
I am crossing my fingers that Gerald will no longer need the oxygen canula when we go home. Gerald vomited a while ago, and it was hard one. He even vomit his feeding tube that he looks like a snake figure:). It was very uncomfortable by funny looking. I wish I have my camera handy. I know I'm bad, sorry. Anyway, we have to cleaned him up from his mess, and I removed his nasal canula for oxygen ( he nurse was here though, I wouldn't remove it if they were not in here). After a while, the nurse said that he did pretty good with out it. So, I hope we don't need an oxygen when he goes home on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Gerald is doing great, and slowly going back to his normal self. Thank God for everything!

Congenital Heart Future Act

To all my friends,
Please help us to distribute this letter to help those kids born with heart defect. Your help is very much appreciated! Thanks a lot!

*************************************************
Dear Members and Friends of Mended Little Hearts,

I am very excited to inform you that The Congenital Heart Futures Act was introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday March 17th! This bill calls for increased funding for research, a national registry, and funding for a national awareness and public education campaign.

Mended Little Hearts, along with our partners in the National Congenital Heart Coalition, need your help to get this important piece of legislation passed! Please take a moment to read the information below and find out how you can help and send an email to your representatives today!

Please feel free to pass this email along to your friends and family to ask for their support, and to post the information on your Facebook, MySpace, Caringbridge and Carepage pages!

In the Senate, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois led the charge joined by Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi . In the House, the bill's lead co-sponsors were Representative Zach Space of Ohio and Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida . We are thrilled that this groundbreaking piece of legislation has already received bipartisan support. To learn more about the bill visit http://durbin.senate.gov/showRelease.cfm?releaseId=309944

So what's next? Like any piece of legislation, the Congenital Heart Futures Act has to get majority support in both the House and Senate in order to be passed. Please email your Senators and Congressman today to ask them to become a co-sponsor of this legislation, which is bill S. 621 in the Senate and H.R. 1570 in the House. It just takes a minute - here's how you do it:

1) Go to http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov/ to look up your representatives and their email addresses

2) Draft your email. - Please see the attached template to get you started.

3) Make your letter personal to you. The attached template has a place to add two or three sentences about why this legislation matters to you personally, and offers some samples to help get you started.

4) Send your email. Be sure to include your full mailing address as well as your email address. Don't use US mail, since thanks to the anthrax scare it now takes many weeks for mail to arrive in Congress.

That's all there is to it!

If you are a constituent of Senators Durbin or Cochran or Representatives Space and Bilirakis, we encourage you to email or call their office and let them know how much you appreciate their leadership of this effort.

What amazing progress!

Amy Basken

--

National Advocacy Chairperson

Mended Little Hearts

www.mendedlittlehearts.org




Sample Email:

Dear [Lawmaker name here]



I am writing as a member of the Mended Little Hearts to ask for your help in making a brighter future for all those born with heart defects. On Tuesday, March 17th, the Congenital Heart Futures Act, legislation calling for research, surveillance, and education in congenital heart disease, was introduced in the Senate by Senators Durbin and Cochran and in the House by Representatives Bilirakis and Space. I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor these bills (S. 621 and H.R. 1570)and help all those born with heart defects live longer, healthier lives.



Congenital heart disease is this country’s number one birth defect and kills twice as many children as childhood cancer. Although many children now undergo successful heart repair, most will require special life-long care and face high risks of developing additional heart problems. But up until now there has been virtually no federal investment to address the research and education needs of the 1.2 million Americans now living with congenital heart disease.



[2-3 sentences saying why you care – some examples:

From an adult patient:

Since being born in 1956 with a complex heart defect, I have undergone 4 open heart surgeries and am currently on disability due to my heart. I have struggled to get the information and care I need to take care of my rare condition, as doctor after doctor answer my questions with, “we just don’t know”. The federal government should use my tax dollars to do the research to get those questions answered, so that both today's adults and tomorrow's children get better care.



For a parent:

My daughter was born with a complex heart defect and underwent three open heart surgeries before she was three. I want to be hopeful for her future, but right now I know there is a severe lack of research, awareness, and resources available to help us help her do well as she gets older. Please help me help my daughter survive to become a healthy, productive parent and grandparent.



From a health care provider:

As a doctor taking care of congenital heart patients I struggle to find the information and resources I need to help these patients thrive. These patients face high risks of developing additional heart problems as they age, and we have limited information on best treatment strategies. Many health care providers are unprepared to care for their complex life-long needs. Please help me protect this pioneering and vulnerable population.





To sign on as a co-sponsor of the bill, House Members should contact Dan Farmer with Rep. Space at (202) 225-6265 to discuss support of H.R. 1570. Senators should contact Sara Singleton with Senator Durbin at (202) 224-2152 re: S. 621.



Thanks in advance for your help in securing a future for all those living with congenital heart disease.



Sincerely,



[name]

[full mailing address]

[email]

Day 48: Still doing great!

Day 48.Cow on his head!

He just woke up at 8pm. I sat him on that chair and later he was playing with those med pumps:). He likes to pushed buttons.

I was able to get out of the hospital yesterday and be home with my hubby last night. I attended a party hosted by the cardiac department here at St. Joe's. It was a fun event. I just didn't get a chance to get pictures when I was there. The event was dedicated for all the families who have babies with the heart defect. In this way, some parents can meet other families with different kinds of heart defect and share their experiences. I was in this kind of group before and those families that I met were really helpful to my family. I had a lot questions that I couldn't get any answers by just asking myself or the internet, personal experiences is more informative than online services.

Anyways, we have Nurse Gigi (Filipina)last night, and we were very comfortable leaving GJ with her. I knew her and took care of GJ since he was a baby and she is a trustworthy person. I get to go home last night, and I was hoping to get some good night sleep. However, my poor husband couldn't sleep and keep tossing and turning that wake me up all the time. I had to get up at 3:30 am and had some cereal for an very early morning snack:). I went back to bed afterwards. We got up early to be at the hospital with Gerald. We came here about 6 am and Gerald just woke up according to the nurses. Gerald slept through out the night. That is good! He probably didn't know that I was gone home.

Overall, Gerald looks really good. He have some breathing issues, but his lungs sounds clear according to all the doctors. Hoping to go home by Wednesday:) I am so excited! Then mommy can go in labor hehehehe.

Also, I would like to extend my gratitude to nurse Gigi for taking such a good care of my Gerald.
Thanks a lot nurse Gigi!

Day 46: Feel Fresh

Gerald has been sleeping all the long for almost 3 days now. Sometimes I have to wake him and sat him up so that he can be more movable. His numbers were looks good that doesn't give enough reason to be concern according to the ICU doctors. We will probably here until next week just to finish the dose of his antibiotics. Rather than the antibiotics and some 02 problem , he is doing really well. Here are some pictures that I took today.

He looks handsome because he just took a bath:) He was watching sponge bob.

Pretending to be a cute little boy:)

Hello There!

Just looking at the selling:) hehehe

I feel so good and clean! Yehey... thanks to nurse Nicole and mom for bathing me today:)

Expressing our Gratitude!

Day 45

What a big surprise!
The nurses here at Pediatrics ICU in St. Joesph's Hospital surprised us for all the baby stuff. Nurse Dana and nurse Nicole came to our room with all those baggy with full of baby stuff. I was really surprised. I didn't expect that they would spend their time and money to buy stuff for my baby, but they did. I almost cry when I saw them walking in our room with all those baby stuff.
To all the nurses here at PCTICU thank you very much for your baby gifts. My husband and I are very much appreciated your thoughtfulness and kindness. Those cloths and other stuff are beautiful and I like it very much. Again, thanks a lot!

I moved GJ in my portable bed and he seems to like it. It is more comfortable than his on mattress in his crib.

Daddy and GJ.

This bumbo chair was given to me by nurse Dana. I never had this kind of chair for GJ before. She also gave me tons of newborn clothes. I would say that KC will be well dressed for her first 6 months in her life.

More baby garments for all the nurses in this floor (PCTICU)
Thank you so very much!

Another picture of their gifts.

Day 45: Playful Mood

Day 45

We were suppose to go home today as what the nurses told me earlier. However, GJ was kept vomiting yesterday and even this morning, so they hold us again. The nurses and other medical professional here at St. Joe's were trying hard to get our stuff done in the timely manner, and they are making sure that once we go home we won't have file of bills. Gerald needs an oxygen at home plus he has a lot of medications. I was afraid that once we go home the insurance will not covered all of those medications and we will ended up paying it. Right now money is kinda tight in my family. Anyway, the social workers here and the nurses are helping us for all of Gerald's needs. Thanks a lot for their help.

This is the picture of Gerald and Ginger (RT). She was giving him a breathing treatment. Gerald's upper throat has a lot of think mucus, so the doctor ordered a breathing treatment every four hours. He hated it, as you can see his legs were on her arm. It was pretty fun the first time because he cornered her with his fours.

Anyway, here is the video of nurse Vicky and Gerald. Gerald had a morning emesis yesterday, so I had to put him in the wagon so that I can change his beddings. Nurse Vicky was GJ's nurse since he was born and just yesterday we finally got to have her working with Gerald. When nurse Vicky did her morning assessment, Gerald helped her out by putting the stethoscope on his right (chest) lung so that she can hear his lung. Nurse Vicky was very happy to see him smile and playful.
Thanks a lot Ms. Vicky!

Also, later yesterday afternoon Gerald's uncle came by and played with him with his favorite cow. Gerald was smiling and tossing cow on the floor. His uncle Glenn will pick it up and give it back to him and he will do the same thing. It was nice of uncle Glenn to come by even though he was very busy at home. Thanks to uncle Glenn for coming and spending time with GJ.

Tasty stethoscope

Funny! he put the stethoscope in his mouth .^_^.

He is doing real well, and we might going home tomorrow or Thursday. Gerald did a lot of work today. He did play with the therapist and play with us. He really looks good. However, he had a fever this afternoon about 102.8 F.
In this video, he put the stethoscope in his mouth and just sitting in the crib watching people passing by his room. Sometimes the nurses would take a peek on him.
I would say that he is slowly going back to his normal self. He is just weak at this moment but hopefully he will be able to walk again soon. I have to work with him though when we get home. I will try my best to help him to get back to normal.

Praises, Praises to God!

Day 42: Just another day

Gerald has some issues of having temperature every now and then. Therefore, we might not be going home until sometimes this weekend. I also requested to have a PT to work with him so that I will know what to do when we go home. Gerald is not walking yet after the surgery. He was trying too this afternoon, but he was very weak. He even fall asleep on us during the therapy session. Another, he have some breathing issues too. He have tons of think mucus in his throat that makes a gurgling noise when he is asleep. The nurse has to suction him when he needs to. He sat on the chair for two hours and didn't complain at all.
Anyway, overall Gerald is doing better now.


*****Ralph in front of St. Joe's hospital*****

*****Our family picture for today ******

***** GJ was watching the TV again*****

Day 42 in the Hospital...he really looks good!

GJ playing with the IV pumps

After I held GeRaLd for quite a while. When I put him back in his crib, he prefer to sit so I sat him up and this is what he does.

We had a wonderful day today. Gerald sat on the chair in the wagon for couple hours and slept for 4 hours straight. I even slept too. He had some emesis episode and thats about it.

I also tell the doctor that if possible I would like to get Gerald sitting and walking independently before they even think about sending us back home. I can't hold GJ all time at this moment and plus I am having a baby soon. I hope that they can help us with that.

I thank God for continue listening to our prayers.

Nesting

My father-in-law made this very nice cradle before Gerald was born. Gerald used this too when he was a baby and now it is prepared for Kathlyn. I made the pillow and the two side rolls. Thanks a lot to Dad for making such a nice cradle.

Gerald missed Mommy so much! He hug me so tight. I was gone for the whole day today

Worried look! WHere have you been?

Gerald in mommy's arms.

I don't know if every pregnant woman had gone to a nesting stage. When I was pregnant with Gerald two weeks before he was born I felt that I really have to clean the whole house. I was 37 weeks when I felt I got all the energy to do everything in the house. So, today when I found out the nurse Maryrose is our nurse, I told her that I needed to go home and finished cleaning. She was happy to know that I want to go home and get some rest too. When I left Gerald was asleep and he didn't wake up until 11 am. I took the bus today because Ralph was at work and he has the car. Much to my surprised that bus fare increased. I should say doubled. I only have $1.25 in my pocket. And that amount would only take you one route. I need to have $2.50 to get the whole day pass. It was very annoying because that it the only coins that I have. I ended up walking for a mile to get to my house. Well, I think its good for me as a exercise:). Anyway, I was home at 10 until 7:30pm. I constantly calling my nurse to get an update about Gerald and she said he was fine and keep playing. When I was at home I did a lot of cleaning and making some baby stuffs. One of those is the pillow and the two side rolls that I have in the first picture. I been nesting since last week and I don't know why. I hope this is normal.
Anyway, when we can back here at the hospital Gerald was asleep. When he woke up, I held him and he hugs me so tight and don't want to cut lose. I felt that he misses us a lot. My husband and I were alternating holding until 11 pm.
So far, he looks really good and happier. Praises to our God!

**********this post is not edited yet **********

HLHS Heart Miracle: Temperature Spikes Again!

HLHS Heart Miracle: Temperature Spikes Again!

Temperature Spikes Again!

He likes playing cards and throwing it on the floor.

playing cards

Day 39.
I thought our rough days are over. We were informed that Gerald will be going home on Monday. I was a little surprised when they told me that, but I said "OKAY". I don't know why I just have a feeling that he was not there yet to go home. Maybe because of his muscle tone was not as good as it was before we came over here. Plus he hasn't been walking yet. Then, yesterday morning his temperature spikes again to 102 F. I guess this is not as rough as the other weeks.

Yesterday, I played cards with him after my short nap. I was lying on my bed when the physical and occupational therapist came by and worked with Gerald. I was too exhausted that I couldn't even open my eyes when I was talking to them. The two therapist was very nice to say, " that's okay mother you just go ahead and sleep we got him". After that word, I was out again. I woke up 4pm and Gerald was just coughing and had a 101 temperature. This is what I was afraid of. Even though he was not feeling so well he managed to play with me with his ABC cards. I sat him on the blue foam chair ( the nurse warned me not to lift him, but I still did because I need to change his bed sheet). When I gave him the first card, I saw him chuckled and giggled so hard that I thought he was having a seizure. But when he raised his head with a great big smile of his face, I was relieved. After he was done sitting on that blue chair, I asked him to help himself to get up, since his feet were on the bed. I was surprised that he understood what I asked him to do. He stood up on the bed with my help of course, he is still wobbly after a month of lying on the bed. With him standing on the bed it was easier for me to put him back on his bed. He was quite happy and playful after all.

Since Gerald had the infection the doctor ordered a blood and urine culture. I just asked the nurse about the result of that culture for 12 hours period and it came back negative, so that is great! Also, they did another blood culture this morning again. It may take us another week her at the hospital. Gerald like the 49 days stays in the hospital. His first and second surgeries were all 49 day. I don't know why but this number sounds good to him.

Today, his lungs sounds pretty coarse. I can tell because I can hear it without using the stethoscope. He wakes up when someone messes him around, but he stayed calm until they draw blood from his wrist ( for blood culture).

We will be here for another week according to the doctor last night. I feel more comfortable with that. Also, they have to teach me how to give a shot on him. He is getting shots couple times a day for his blood thinner( levanox shot) and injecting vacomycin (antibiotics) in his broviac IV.

God is still there and listening to our prayers, so lets keep praying for him. Thanks a lot!

Good News

Dad and Gerald

Great news! We might going home next week according to all the healthcare professionals that took care of Gerald Jay. I couldn't believe it. But they are serious and the nurse practitioners wrote tons of going home orders to our nurse. They also asked me if we need more feeding supplies and other stuff. This is it! Yahooo, I am thrilled to the max.
Praise God!

Smile of an Angel

Here is the video of Gerald jay today. He was in a good mood that he even show us his smile for few minutes. I was really happy to see him smile after almost four weeks of battling the MRSA infection. He was really agitated this afternoon. The nurse gave him some sleepy juice(meds), and he calms down for half an hour. When he woke up, he looks like having a seizure. The RT was in our room when that happened, and he said its just withdrawing from all medication. After the RT left I gave Gerald like more than 60 cc of thickened water. He drunk the water in less than 5 seconds. I said "wow". Anyway, after that I opened the curtain so that the nurses that are passing by can see him just in case he falls on the floor or something ( he is lying on the adult bed) while I'm in the restroom. I was about to leave him when I saw him smiling and talking. I can't help talking video of him. This is his first smile for a long time. I would say that he is definitely recovering from all those painful experiences after the surgery.
Thanks to our Almighty God!

Agitated

This is Gerald today, he looks really good.

Me and my belly (bb. Kathlyn) standing by Gerald's bed

What a pose! He was spread out like an eagle :-)

Ralph stayed with Gerald the lastnight, and I went home to do some cleaning. I was hoping to get some goodnight sleep at home, but it never happened because I was paranoid of every little noise that I heard from the outside. Anyway, before I left last night Gerald was awake and very calm. But Gerald didn't have a good night sleep either. I am concerned because he didn't sleep well the night before too, and he was awake the whole day. I don't want him to go back where he had heart beat problem again, so I told the nurse to let him sleep (not doing any assessment).
I came back around 12noon today, and he was very agitated ( makes me concern again). But the nurse said that it might be the medicine that he was on, and they are trying to wean him off from all those medications. His heart rate is higher again, but his 02 level is stable to mid 80's (good). Around 1:30 when the nurse gave him some happy juice (sleeping meds) and he went right to sleep for 3 hours. While he was asleep his heart rate went back to normal. Then when he woke he was acting like a little crazy guy. Grabbing everything that on his bed or whatever he can grab on. I saw him trying to pulled his IV too, I have to stopped him right away. I told the nurse that he was acting up again. She gave him morphine and he went to sleep again but his heart rate was still higher. The nurse practitioner spent more time in our room again because of that. We were happy not to see those nurses more often in our room, but today they were here to see what is going on with him. They thought Gerald might be a little bit dry, so they gave him more plasma fluid. Other than this small event today, Gerald is still looking great and hopefully to feel better too.