We got through another day here in PICU. Ruby has remained stable and, though puffier, she is doing okay all things considered.
Tomorrow they plan to challenge/trial her heart to see if she can come off ECMO or not. So basically they will decrease the flow to a certain point and then put a clamp on the lines to see how her heart handles it. If the pressures and other factors aren't looking right they will put her back on the machine and allow her to rest another day. They can only slow down the flow to a certain point, because beyond that they will end up with fibrin build up/clotting in the lines, so that is the reason for clamping.
I believe Dr. Horne will be in early afternoon to clean out her patch (covering the opening to her heart). We will have to leave the area while he does that, since its a sterile procedure, but they can do it in her room - no need to take her to the OR since her room can convert into a mini OR for small procedures and such. Once that is cleaned up a bit it should take some outer pressure off her heart (fluid and clotted blood in the chest cavity) and hopefully will increase the chances of the trial going well.
From what I can remember from our many conversations, they will monitor her for an hour or so after clamping to see what the monitors are saying and how many drugs they would need to keep her stable without ECMO.
Please keep her in your prayers this weekend ❤️
And thank you for all the prayers, kind comments, and messages. We haven't had the time/energy to respond to you all, but we see them and really appreciate them!
^ Proof we went outside
