Post G-Tube Surgery: Day 2

Owen did well with his re-introduction to formula yesterday. We had a little bit of drama when one of his left legged round-house kicks damaged the IV in his right leg, resulting in them having to stick him for another IV. Luckily they were able to get the IV on the first try, but it still pissed off the ninja considerably. Because the doctors are slowly ramping up the amount of formula they're giving Owen, we need the IV to give him the balance of his fluid needs to keep him hydrated. Today, they went up to around 60% if his volume goal. If he tolerates that, we may be able to go up to 100% tomorrow delivered at a continuous rate. After he handles that, we go to the bolus feeds delivered intermittently. I'm not sure what the bolus plan is, but the hope is that home comes soon after he demonstrates that he is able to tolerate intermittent bolus feeds.


Owen gets ready for a nap...

Or does he?


And he's back awake...

A little more awake...



Needless to say, he charmed his way out of bed.

Morning After G-tube Surgery

Owen had a good night last night. He had a dose of morphine at 6:30 and made it through the night without needing more. He slept until about 4:00, at which time he woke up and did not seem to be in any pain -- not super smiley baby, but not anger baby like he was. He fell asleep pretty soon after that and then woke up kind of irritable at 6:00 so the nurse gave him another dose of morphine, which put him into another brief nap. He's awake now and seems close to his old self -- he's not 100% happy but he's pretty comfortable, alert, and wiggly. He hasn't had any food since 2:30 am the morning or surgery so I'm sure he's hungry. They'll give him his first food through the g-tube at 9:00. At first, they'll give him about 30% of his normal amount and then slowly ramp up from there.

Here are some new pictures.


Good morning, Owen. How was your morphine nap?


Owen gets a very serious look on his face whenever he sees the camera.


Shannon thinks he looks like Shawn when he was a baby in this one.


And Shannon in this one. Depending on the angle you take the picture, you can really see all different sides of the family.

In this one, I think Owen looks like me when I was wee.


These are the night before his g-tube surgery. First a sleep yawn.


And then a sleep smile.


And now wide awake and talking to Mommy.


The morning of surgery, chillaxing on his playmat.


A few minutes before surgery.


In the recovery area immediately following surgery.


Asleep on my lap back in our room on 15. No tubes!

This is a good example of what Owen likes to do when he's awake -- sit in a lap, smile his head off, flail his arms, and kick his legs.

G-tubin'

It is now around 8 hours after surgery and Owen seems to be doing better. He seemed to be in a pretty good amount of pain earlier. They give morphine every two hours and he was waking up after around an hour and a half screaming. It's been a little more than 2 hours since his last dose and he's still sleeping, so hopefully the pain is starting to be a little more manageable.

I posted some new photos to Flickr. I also posted a few photos here as well. All in all, Owen is doing well -- pain is to be expected. His oxygen levels and heart rate are good. Tomorrow we start putting food in the g-tube.

Josh