saturday 8/24/2013

Ava was uncomfortable this afternoon and until 11pm when I left. She slept maybe 20 minutes all afternoon. The nurse gave her extra morphine doses which didn't seem to help. She had three labs drawn (which, incidentally, required 3 heel sticks by the new guy grrr). All her labs were normal. They were wondering if she might be getting an ear infection. I kind of doubt that but they'll check her ears again tomorrow. She has been weaned to 4Liters on the nasal cannula and is still on the 30% oxygen. The added oxygen will be used indefinitely until the pulmonary hypertension no longer a concern. It is being used more a a "drug" rather than something to keep her oxygen levels up-which she is capable of doing on her own. As a drug it is a pulmonary vasodialtor- it helps the vessels in the lungs expand so the blood can easily pick up oxygen.