May 12

Infection/Liver News:
No change to bilirubin levels. Max's platelet count is low again today (23,000), so he's getting some platelets now, and received FFP (Fresh Frozen Plasma) earlier. A sonogram has been ordered for his stomach to check for fluids (not sure yet exactly what they'll be looking for).

Heart News:
His blood pressure has been a little high today (just above the alarm threshold). He got an EKG this morning, but no results back on how that came out. His PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) is not closing. It's causing the left side of heart to enlarge. This could eventually lead to heart failure. Wait and see is not an option right now. This is the root cause of his high blood CO2 level. We may soon have to choose between a drug therapy that has side effects that his physician is not comfortable with and surgery to correct the PDA. Minimally, it appears that he'll at least have to be intubated to help his breathing. I hope it won't have to be a tracheal intubation.

Update:
It looks like we're facing heart surgery this week to correct the PDA.