Gabe the trooper :D

We're are going to make it through this stressful situation . . . Gabe is just awesome!!!

Today, Gabe's scalp IV infiltrated . . . this means that the vein the IV was inserted into either gave out from being tired (too much fluid and it didn't want to hold up anymore) or the vein collapsed. Either way, the fluid from the IV was going into his face and he blew up like crazy!! In five minutes time, his face went from normal to huge and puffy . . . the IV was promptly removed (and not reinserted anywhere) and the swelling has gone down considerably. I do have some pictures of his puffy face however . . .

And in other news, his feeding tube was removed because he has been breastfeeding like a champ today!!! He's eating as well as we was before he was burned!!! I'm so grateful he's willing to nurse again - he really MUST be feeling better.

Tomorrow, his dressings will be taken down again and this time physical therapy will also look at them. It is my understanding he will wear pressure dressings over the graft sites to minimize scarring 23 out of 24 hours a day. I sure hope they aren't hot!!! Apparently day 5 (tomorrow) post op is when the pain really starts to lessen. I sure hope so!!

Dr. Morris switched Gabe's meds today to a far more effective narcotic for him and he's been handling the pain MUCH better. Not so groggy, but definitely less pain than the Lortab he was on. And with the IV out, good pain medicine (oral) is super important. He will be sedated by a nasal spray tomorrow for the dressing changes . . . that should be interesting!!

Friday, the plan is to remove the staples from the graft site "for sure", per doctors orders. That will be one week post surgery! I'm so grateful we're pulling out ahead on this one.

Just a refresher course . . . your hot water heater should go no hotter than 120 degrees Farenheit. At 133 degrees, a burn like Gabe's can happen in 15 seconds. At 140, 5 seconds. At 149, 2 seconds. And at 155 and above, 1 second or less!!!! This is serious guys. I would not wish this on anyone ever . . . it is so much more awful than you could ever imagine.

Hope this post finds you well - I will update tomorrow after the doctor looks at Gabe's graft again. Thanks for all your comments, well wishes, good vibes, and prayers sent our way . . . we definitely feel and appreciate it all!