In true "Kristen" fashion..

So, in true "Kristen fashion", there is a storm in the gulf for labor day. You didn't think mother nature was going to let me get off easy this year, did you? Of course not. There are very few birthday's that she has let me enjoy without the threat of one, so by now I am used to it. At least this year it is a minor storm, but could it be going any slower? I mean 10-20 inches of rain is a tad bit ridiculous. I know that quite a few of you talked about coming visit us this weekend, but we ask that you please stay put and stay safe. We will see y'all again soon, don't worry. No need to put yourself in harms way.

I know that I didn't update yesterday about Parker, but if you notice I did change the blog a little. I was starting to feel like it was a little drab, so I did some updating.

Parker is doing great! Today is his one week birthday! His kidney labs are still coming back low. His BUN came down from 24 to 21. His creatinine went up from 1.2 to 1.3. His sodium is staying up and his potassium is staying low, which is important. His platelets are finally holding steady (they have been dropping a little each day). They had discussed another platelet transfusion for tomorrow, but the doctor said he is happy that they have been holding in the same range for a few days so he will hold off. He is tolerating dialysis well. They are doing 40 cc's and letting it dwell in his belly for 30 minutes. They are upping his diasylate from 2.5% to 4.25% in an attempt to drain more fluid from around his lungs. His ventilator settings are lower than they were pre-surgery and doctor Vic plans to ween them down at 12 again. He is now on continuous feeds of 5 cc's of milk every hour, which is more than the 3 cc's they began yesterday.  Dr. Vic is in the process of weening him off of the fluids that he was getting and using strictly milk. Like the doctor said, there is more substance and vitamins in the milk than there are in the fluid. So far they have removed well over 300 cc's of extra fluid from him and his dialysis port is holding up well. No leakage and no complications. His first surgery was a success! Parker's pediatric nephrologist should be back from vacation any day now, so we are anxiously awaiting our meeting with him. We believe that we will get much more info once he is here. Parker seems so much more comfortable overall. He is awake and looking around much more now. He has the funniest facial expressions and is even trying to smile every now and then. The vent makes it a little difficult, though. He already hates the camera. Every time you take one out he closes his eyes and the smiles come to a stop. Wonder who he takes after? lol

Oh and we had more pee pee today! The doc always tells the nurse to save it and show us. He laughs because I always say if I could frame it that I would. (I truly mean that, too) My poor son would have a room full of framed diapers if it were up to me. Yes, I know that sounds a little creepy, but I get quite excited about this subject.