Chest Tubes are outta here!!

Today the chest tubes came out . . . hurray!!  Let's say our prayers that the fluid will not re-accumulate.   His skin is reddened from the tape removal, but otherwise he took it like a champ.  The ventilator settings are low and his FiO2 was in the low 20s all day. 

Tomorrow Crew will be one week post-op and will go to fluoroscopy to check the surgical repair site in his stomach for leaking.  The original plan was to start feedings after we make sure things are healed.  However, now that the chest tubes are out . . . the doctors are eager to get him off the ventilator.  So, I'm guessing that is what will happen first.  Once he is stable off the ventilator, then the feedings can begin.

He is getting more and more alert and even starting to grab at his tubes.  We gave him his first "binkie" today . . . he was a little sleepy at the time, but I think he's going to like it.  Today was another very welcomed good day! 

His chest x-ray after the chest tubes were removed.

Just a bandage and some redness where the chest tubes were.

His first binkie . . . the premie one's only come in purple.