The Whisler Life

Oy vey.  This is a nightmare I just can’t seem to wake from… so here we are, nine days into this ordeal.  Nothing significant to report this morning.  The plan for the day is the same as the past two… hurry up and wait, keep Owen as comfortable as possible, and hope that everything is healing well.  As happens in this situation (after this many days), Owen has built up quite a tolerance to the drugs that are supposed to keep him in “la la land” and the nurses are having to get creative to keep him comfortable and sleeping when necessary.  I have visions of his little liver quickly becoming a shriveled black raisin.  They’ve been allowing Owen to “surface” a bit more often and for longer durations in the past couple days, since he’s actually been in fairly good spirits and interested in playing and grabbing at everything when he’s awake.  But it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with (even though it’s so nice to see “him” and all of his little quirks when he’s awake), since I can just see the confusion and exasperation in his little eyes.  Poor thing doesn’t have a clue what’s going on or what he’s done to deserve this?!?!  The doc paid a visit this morning, as he has done every morning so far, and determined that today is NOT the day to extubate him (remove the tube) - as before, they would like to see a significant leak develop around the breathing tube, indicating that there isn’t much swelling.  I am certainly in no hurry to extubate either, since patience seems to be the “better safe than sorry” approach right now.  Plus, I’m really getting to like the staff and the gourmet food at this tropical resort. ;-)  So things are status quo for today.  They will be looking to do the extubation either tomorrow or Thursday at the latest… it’s all up to the doc during his morning rounds.  All things considered, we’re both hanging in there.  I totally feel like I’m existing in an alternate reality right now.  Everything is a blur (probably a result of severe sleep deprivation!) and I can’t believe it’s already been almost a week and a half.  I’ll try to post in the morning once a decision has been made about whether or not to extubate.  Many continued thanks to all of you for your well wishes, prayers, healing vibes, visits and phonecalls.  All of your support is a welcome comfort and I appreciate it more than you will ever know.  So, until tomorrow…