Thursday, March 24, 2011

Surgery #2 In Photos

I keep trying to write this blog, but between my shifts at Linus's bedside, caring for Simon & Dexter, trying to work and Linus's ever changing condition, I'm finding it impossible to get my thoughts organized enough to type out. I promise to post a detailed blog soon. I will tell you this, Linus's mitral valve had a 2nd repair as opposed to being replaced. True to form, he is proving to be a difficult and unpredictable patient & this surgery has yet to be labeled either success or failure. His family, friends and medical team are all hoping he stops having so many set backs and starts making steady forward progress. Here are some pictures to look over while I gather my thoughts.

Holding Trina's hand the night before surgery.

The day after surgery. Still looking pretty beat up.

Two days after surgery. Starting to look a little more like himself. The dark line going from under his right cheek to the side of the bed is delivering a blood transfusion into his central line.

This inflatable raft looking deal is called a Bair Hugger. It fills with heated air to keep him warm. His temp dropped to around 92'F a few days after surgery!

Trina taking advantage of his semi-conscious state to trim his nails. He still curled his fingers in protest.


Photographic Tour Of Linus Post-Op: May be difficult to look at...

Linus's room with all of his gear.

Full body shot right after surgery

The pad on his forehead is a NIRS (near infrared spectroscopy) that helps monitor his cerebral perfusion. In other words it lets us know if his brain is getting adequate blood flow.

The tube taped into his nostril is attached to the ventilator that breathes for him. The tube in his mouth went into his stomach to remove any gas or extra fluid. The circular stickers on his shoulder & chest are EKG sensors.

Linus has a central line is in his jugular. It has 2 lumens, or access tubes, so all of his continuous IV fluids and meds can go through one and the other can be used for PRN meds or blood transfusions. It also takes real time central venous pressure readings.

The tube with blood in it is his chest tube. It pulls the extra fluid and blood out of his chest cavity. The clear one is his peritoneal dialysis tube.

This box has a slightly lower pressure than his chest so the fluid drains into it. This way it can be collected and measured.

The probe with the LAP sticker goes through his chest wall and into his heart. It measures the pressure in his left atrium.

This is his peritoneal dialysis pole. The bag at the top contains the sugar water that is pumped into his abdomen.

The green "blanket" is a warmer that his dialysis tubing sits inside. If the fluid wasn't warmed, his core temperature would drop drastically.

This is where his dialysis fluid is collected and measured. It was pink the first day and has slowly turned to a pale yellow.

The blue cuff is a soft restraint. Linus is very "grabby" and would gladly rip any and all tubes and wires from his body if given half a chance. The tan bandage on his thumb is a pulse oximeter. It measures the oxygen perfusion to his extremities. The bandaid on his forearm is where his IV was removed after it clotted off.

He has an arterial line in his left wrist. This is used to take "real time" blood pressure readings and to get blood samples to measure arterial blood gas. He has another pulse ox on his middle finger.

After they placed his wrist arterial line, it gave them some trouble. They put a 2nd arterial line in his femoral artery as a back up. This was able to be removed after a day or so when his wrist line proved to be reliable.

The white oval on his right foot is a temperature pad. he has a 3rd pulse ox on his left big toe. The tube to his left is his chest tube and the tube on his right is his foley catheter. This drains the urine out of his bladder.

This is where his urine is collected, measured nd checked for color changes.

59 comments:

N said...

Thank you for posting the pictures. My heart is breaking for you guys having to go through this again, and the answers still seeming so grey.

paradykes said...

Please know that your entire family is in my prayers. Thank you for updating.

Hazelstarfish said...

Thank you for taking a precious moment to update us. Still thinking of you all constantly.

Lex said...

Poor little guy. Seeing these pics gives a better idea of what your family is going through. Praying for all of you that this is the beginning of many a healing moment. As I got my "Team Linus" badge yesterday, I realised how many supporters he has... and it made me realise how strong your family is. Lots of love to you. ~ Lex

Stacie said...

Poor guy. Praying he stabelizes and this surgery is labeled a success. Hugs to you. While we haven't been through heart surgery, our experience with brain surgery (11 of them total) is enough to give me a bit of insight into how rattled and overwhelmed a parent feels to see a child in medical crisis.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I've just discovered your blog and was hooked reading your journey so far....sending lots of healthy vibes to Linus, it must be heartbreaking to see him like that x

Shelby said...

Beyond all of the tubes, wires, and other equipment, I still see the "Linus the Fighter" we've grown to know and even love. Your little boy is touching so many hearts with his story and spirit. Thank you for breaking away to give all of us an update. I've been checking his Facebook page and the blog several times a day during this critical time.

Heather said...

Prayers for Linus to see healing and improvement. Prayers for you and Trina for strength and comfort through all of this. I think about Linus often and continue to hope and pray for his full recovery.

laura w said...

Modern medicine is both amazing and overwhelming- Hugs to you all!

mama bea, bao in the oven said...

I can't begin to imagine how awful this must be for you, as hard as it was for me just to look at these pictures. My heart is going out to you and your whole family. Please know I've been thinking of you constantly.

Edward said...

Continued prayers and good thoughts for your family. God bless!

Gabriel Beal said...

So glad Linus made it through the surgery. Hope it makes him better!
-Shirin

Floral said...

The pictures are heartbreaking and full of hope. Your baby boy is such a fighter. I think of you everyday and send my good thoughts to Linus and your family.

TooeleTwins said...

Like everyone following this blog or facebook, I think of your amazing little man every day. It looks like he is getting the best possible care at the hospital and by his mommies. I know that you have help at home, so take advantage of it so that you can stay strong for all of your precious guys. That part is very hard as I remember splitting our time between one twin at home and one in the NICU for a short while (nothing compared to your struggle). Someday, you will look back and be shocked that you made it through!

hotomiky said...

Your entire family is in our prayers and thoughts.

sunflowerchilde said...

Poor little guy and poor you and Trina. I am always thinking about you guys and praying for you and Linus.

Anonymous said...

These pictures are so humbling. There is so much available medically, but the mystery of the human body still trumps all. I trust that, with time, Linus' little body will heal and this will fade into a painful memory. I can't imagine how "off the rails" all of this must feel to you, but I pray regularly for your strength and perseverance through this process.

Anonymous said...

poor baby!!! It breaks my heart to see him like this. Thank you so much for the update, I know you've got a lot on your plate right now so to take the time to update us is truly appreciated. Still sending healthy thoughts your way!

allie :^) said...

oh i'm so glad you posted! i have been thinking about you guys almost non-stop and praying that linus is ok. :) just relieved to hear he came out of surgery...again...for the most part ok. :) praying for relief for all of you soon! :) keep it up warrior mommies! :) i LOVE being a part of team linus!!! :)

Andrea said...

Poor sweet baby:-( Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

K J and the kids said...

I have been praying and thinking about you guys since your last post. I'm so so sorry !
Continued prayers for the little man to start showing some forward progress.

Anonymous said...

The pictures brought everything to light for me. I have tears in my eyes just seeing what that poor baby is going through. I think of Linus everyday and prey for him to keep fighting and stay strong. Thank you for the taking the time to put these up.
Roxanne Elis
KAPOM

Pufferfish said...

I held my breath reading this post and my heart is breaking for you. No one should have to go through this, not you, not Trina and not a sweet, darling baby.
Linus is a little fighter and I think of him and your family everyday.
I hope his situation improves and you have better news soon.

moi + toi PHOTOGRAPHIE said...

wow, that little man can handle way more than I could. He is so brave!!!

thanks for the updates.

Always thinking positive. All our love to your family.

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers & love - every minute.

Next in Line said...

I hate to think of Linus having all those tubes, but I also am relieved to know that people are paying such close attention to all the details and giving him such great care.

Thinking of your family everyday.

PS I have a button on my blog and a hope post for Linus. I am calling about blood donation today.

Finch and Wren said...

Sending love and continued prayers. Thank you for the update Robbie.

A+K said...

Sending all the love we have to Linus and your family...we think of you day in and day out. Thank you for posting an update, we check in on the Team Linus FB page each time one of us logs on! Big hugs from us to you...xoxo

jade said...

Dear Robbie and home team, thank you for the update. It seems pretty complete to me! Not sure I would know more after reading any other details - this is about all I seem to be able to take in and understand more or less. Am so relieved every time there is a new post with pictures - you are one brave little family of five! Thinking of all of you and all the people around you who are helping in every way they can.

Sue Z said...

God bless you all. Prayers for rapid and complete healing ... your entire family has suffered enough.

EG said...

Continued prayers for Linus and all of you.

Teaberry said...

Gosh... he is such a little fighter. I think of him all the time.

Jessica said...

You are all going through what no mothers or son should have to go through and your strength is just admirable. Your strength for him and him for you is amazing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers constantly.

tireegal68 said...

Dear wonderful moms and amazing Linus! Thanks so much for the update. Wow! Modern medicine is so intricate and amazing, but as a previous poster said, the mystery of the human body trumps everything. Not to mention the incredible power of the human spirit. Thinking of you all every day and sending up so many prayers for healing and recovery. Xxooxxoo (( big hugs ))

Sha said...

Oh Sweet Sweet Linus! You are one strong Lil Man! Robbie and Trina you ladies amaze me with your strength! Your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers!

2 Chicks 1 Hatchling said...

Thanks for updating. We're thinking of all of you and sending our love.

marjorie said...

I haven't commented before, but I've been following you for a bit. Your family, and especially little Linus, are in my thoughts and prayers. He is a fighter, there's no doubt about that. I'm praying that soon he'll be free of all the tubes, wires, etc. and be able to come home.

Pomegranate said...

Poor sweet pea. Thinking of you and sending prayers to Linus.

Michaela said...

Thanks for the short update. My thoughts are with you!!!!

Anonymous said...

God love this sweet baby...please give him a kiss for me. I'm keeping you all in my prayers. Leslie

Celia said...

I am praying for you, your son is beautiful.

Marianne said...

Stopping by from LFCA to wish Linus a speedy recovery!

saturyne said...

ah man, those pictures made me cry. Linus has faced one helluva struggle so early in life. So hard to see him connected to all those tubes. It's hard for ME to see it, I can only imagine how hard it is for his mommies to see it. Thinking of you gals everyday.

quadmom said...

Poor sweet Linus, I can't imagine how difficult all of this has been on him and all of you. I will keep praying hard that he stabilizes and this surgery can be labeled a success very soon. I wish there was something I could do ... it just breaks my heart to see these photos and think of the pain you all are enduring.

Jennifer said...

I don't know you but I'm praying for you and your family. My brother and his wife had triplets as well and one had a heart defect. She had surgery as an infant and she is doing well at 11 years old now.

I'm keeping Linus in my thoughts.

This Mom said...

Thank you for taking the time to update. I think of your amazing son all the time and you are all in my thoughts.

Rose said...

Prayers, prayers and more prayers are heading your way...........Thinking of all of you and praying!

Anonymous said...

Whenever I come to read your blog, a part of me always hesitates before opening it up...I have such hope that little Linus is on the mend, but also a bit of fear that there will be bad news. I can't explain it, because I have never even met you folks...yet your little family has definitely touched my heart.
I will keep on praying that good news and healing is headed toward you all.

Wendy

Kristina Knight said...

As a mom of 3 month old triplets and also a pediatric cardiac ICU nurse- I know the ups and downs you are facing. I just wanted to let you know that my partner and I pray for your family every day. Stay strong as best you can and know you have many people pulling for you all. Much love.

Nearlydawn said...

I hate so much that you have a reason to know what all that stuff is, and on the flip side, I'm glad that he made it through surgery and is trying hard to heal. Give him a finger-snuggle from us in the bloggy-world.

jen said...

Prayers for Linus and the rest of your family. I can't even imagine what you're all going through...but I admire the strength and courage, love and determination you have for your boys. And what a fighter Linus is!!! He's an inspiration.
Aloha from an expat family in India... jen

TheCorbinStory said...

My name is Ruth and my son had heart surgery at ten days old for heart defects. Those pictures look very familiar, I know its overwhelming. I want you to know I'm praying for you all! He and his brothers are adorable. I would like to know how to get the paypal icon that you have?
http://ofkidsandcows.blogspot.com
http://caringbridge.org/visit/thecorbinstory

Anonymous said...

I found your story through the words of so many people in blogland who are thinking of you and extending their support. Though I am a stranger, I am sending Linus and all of you all of my wishes and hope for a strong and steady recovery.

Anonymous said...

Just thinking about Linus and his mommies....sending prayers that you are all doing as well as can be. Sending out special prayers for Simon and Dexter too! :O) Leslie

LA said...

My thoughts, love and prayers are with your family. Thank you for sharing. :)

Beth W said...

Since I discovered your blog a few weeks ago, I keep Linus in my thoughts daily, as well as your whole family. My wife and I also have triplets and I am humbled whenever I see stories like this. When I hug my kids tonight, those hugs will be in honor of Linus.

Anonymous said...

I stubbled across this blog. Your boys are beautiful. Lots of love and positive thoughts to all of you, especialy little Linus. Hugs, mamas.

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting these to all of us. I will pray for your family. Just trust in God by all your heart and everything will be fine.
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Tummy tuck said...

I hate to think of Linus takes all the tubes, but they are also happy to know that people will pay close attention to every detail, and give so much attention.