December 29th, 2025
Ruth’s surgery went well! Apparently she behaved very well.
I just got an update from Dr Kato regarding the balancing act we’re playing with fluids and meds. She’s been on Hydrocortisone to help with blood pressure, but in conjunction with Ibuprofen it’s very hard on her gut, which they’re already concerned about given her last stomach Xray. So the plan is to wean her off the Hydrocortisone as efficiently as possible and then administer the ibuprofen. The longer we wait on ibuprofen, the less likely it is to be effective at closing the heart valve.
The bloating is partially a byproduct of intaking so many meds and fluids, but it’s also a result of the staph/E Coli infection. She’s already on antibiotics, and she is stable, but given the bloating she’s still very sick. Much better than a week ago, but still sick.
More meds means more fluids, but it also means more bloating. More concentrated meds is very hard on her kidneys as she tries to process them. So it’s a balancing act.
Dr Kato told me that it is to be expected that we see more needed support from the ventilator over the coming days as we wean off the Hydrocortisone. So we’ll pray that the ibuprofen does a good job at closing the heart valve, which will make the lungs function better.
Ruth had a big day! Incubator changed, good surgery installing the new IV line to her heart, and this evening she also got her umbilical lines removed. This transitions her IV and blood draws from the umbilical to the new PIC line (though we’ll still have to poke for blood draws).
Although she is stable, Ruth is still sick from an E Coli/staph infection she’s been dealing with for about a week now, even with the use of antibiotics. Over the next couple days we’re going to wean her off Hydrocortisone and administer ibuprofen for to close her PDA heart valve. Please pray that this process goes smoothly and effectively, as a variety of things hinges on how well it goes.
Our Lord is merciful! He holds Ruth in His hands, and His sovereign plan is perfect.
The mess of plumbing we got rid of.