The Burlingames

We are still in the hospital but making some good progress. The doctors are optimistic that the chest tube could be coming out soon (1-3 days – but could be longer). Once the tube is out, we’ll get to go home within a few days after that. Yay!

Chest tube – The drainage seems to be slowing down, which means it is starting to dry up. This is GREAT!!!!!!! Eli has been up and moving around a lot these last 2 days, the doctors have told us he needs to walk a minimum of 5 times a day. We’ve been pushing him to go further for longer.The more he moves around the more fluid drains out.

Meds – The medicine taking has gotten a tiny bit better. We are still having to ‘force’ most of them in his mouth but he isn’t spitting out as much as before.

Incentive – His incentive for doing so well with taking his medicine, going for walks, listening to us/nurses/doctors have been putting stickers on a sticker chart. I’m wondering if this is something we’ll have to continue doing at home, if so, we’ll get stickers.

Please keep praying! We are so ready for life to resume to ‘normal’ (aka – everyone at home).

That’s what we’re taking today, baby steps. Baby steps are much better than peddling backwards.

Eli took a turn for the best yesterday evening. After the additional chest tube went in, some fluid came out and he took a nap, he was doing SO much better. Dave said last night he was so chipper when he woke up from his catnap, he ate a bunch of food and got up and moved around.

Today he’s gone for several walks and wagon rides. He found a kid’s sized shopping cart and LOVES to push that around. He has eaten a bunch of food and has watched several movies already today. In between each walk, he likes to sit in the chair and rest, before going out for walks again.

We are so thankful he is doing so much better. They have officially put the ‘step down’ label on his chart. Meaning – they don’t need to take his vitals as often as before and can leave him alone for longer periods of time. Whoohoo!!! Praise God!!!

Just wanted to add a correction. I was wrong, the fluid on/in his lung is not gone yet. The amount is less than yesterday, but not completely gone.

Update…

He has been resting all day. He really hasn’t been awake for long periods of time. The nurses and doctors are pleased that his rest is not drug induced but more of his own submission to sleep. He threw up two times this morning and really hasn’t eaten or drank much today.

He still has his chest tubes and oxygen tubes on. Dr. Moga hasn’t been back yet to look at his chest tubes. Those might stay in until tomorrow, we’ll see.

They’ve been reducing the amount of oxygen to work on regulating his stats. His stats dip when his oxygen gets reduced too much, but they hope when he gets up and gets moving around they can start to regulate themselves again.

Thank you for all your prayers. Lots of love to you all!!