In PICU

The last few days have been very busy in the lead up to Joshy's op. Along with the usual visitors from family and friends, there have of course also been the usual visits from physio's, occupational therapists, the rehab team, different people involved in the operation Joshy had done today, and other medical people.

It would seem that this op, particularly the fundoplication, happened at the right time; Josh's vomits have been increasing over the last few days, and last night it got scary. We've been told that normal stomach secretions are a yellow-green colour, and at times, this is the colour that has shown. But over the last day or so, they had gone back to a dark brown, or as its called by medicos, a coffee bean colour. This colour suggests old blood mixed with the stomach secretions, but it's difficult to ascertain where the blood comes from. It could be anywhere from his nose, down to his stomach, or it could be from an ulcer perhaps (although he is on meds to lessen the likelihood of that). There were 6 or 7 "vomits" of this colour, but eventually they stopped.

I didn't sleep too good, even though Josh had a great night. Lots of dreams.

We've had our own room since we've been in the normal ward for last six weeks, but this morning I was told I needed to pack the whole room, even though it's likely Josh will return to the ward sometime tomorrow!

Josh was taken up the surgical ward around 9am and they gave John a buzzer to notify us when Josh was in recovery. He came out around 2pm, and we met him in ICU. We were told there were no problems during the procedures, which is great. He is a champion!

It is expected that feeds via his PEG button will start tomorrow, and hopefully he'll be out of ICU after that.

This pic of Joey was taken about an hour after being brought in to PICU.