To sleep, perchance to dream...

Wow. When we started this, Kristin and I expected that it would be a really useful way of keeping family and friends updated; now it's becoming much more. Before I get to today's news, I would just like to say how appreciative Samuel and we are for all of the thoughts and love. While we may tend a bit towards the secular, we are nonetheless humbled by the outpouring of love we've received from well-wishers all over the country, people who only know us through this blog. We had comments from Bowen's mom--Kristin was especially moved by his progress while we were preparing for our journey. We heard from Marie Louise Ludwig, whose son is a 22-year-old survivor thanks to the Dr. Norwood. Kim Weiss sent thoughts, and Brenda R., a colleague of mine with her own cardiac kid, chimed in as well (btw, Brenda...soooo right about the hand lotion!). Not to mention our students who are keeping us in their thoughts and even checking on our kitties while we are away. Truly humbling.

Thank you.

Now, before I "thank you" to death (after all this ain't the Oscars), the day's news. We had four banner events.

1. Kristin was discharged from the hospital across the street. Woohoo! It may not seem that exciting, but now two things can happen: A) She can spend a lot more time with Samuel; she managed a little successful feeding today. And B) We won't get phone calls from the maternity ward wondering where she is in the middle of the night. Seriously, last night they tracked her down and made me escort her back to her room. It was crazy. They acted all nice about it, but there was, you know, that edge to it.


2. Wolfie got a new hat. Remember: we're celebrating the little things. Apparently, he's a lion today. He wouldn't stay still for this picture, but he's so cute I decided I didn't care. We'll try to get a better photo tomorrow.


3. We got some visitors! This is his aunt contemplating him. Other friends, including school friends, came by or talked on the phone, which was lovely until I had to hang up on one in the middle of a call, which leads us to the motif of today's entry...


4. Sleep. Forget my lack of it; now there's a more significant issue. Wolf-Sam has got the opposite problem of me: he sleeps too much and too deeply! While the doctors seem optimistic regarding some of his new data today, a new complication has come to light. Remember (it was only posted yesterday?!) when I was woken up to alarms and the personnel stampede? Unfortunately, Samuel is making a habit of such moments. He has taken to falling into such a deep sleep that he simply stops breathing (sorry, Sue...that's why I hung up on you). He had at least double-digit episodes today, one of which occurred while he was hanging out in my lap watching March Madness. He was fine one moment, rooting on Ohio State (go Buckeyes!); the next moment, he was turning blue (stupid Wolverines;). Not flattering for his fine complexion and geographical heritage, I'm afraid. A little chest-rubbing, a little foot pinch, a little oxygen over the nose and he comes out of it, but the episodes are far too frequent for comfort. The doctors have tried various solutions so far: lowering the prostaglandins, adding caffeine to his diet (he prefers it mainlined), constantly sending high oxygen flow into his nose. And yet, he seems determined to have his way. Surgery is three days away, a metaphor for eternity according to the Elizabethan writers, and we'd like to get him there without having to be intubated. The cardiologist just announced that the odds were about 50/50. Sounds like a hedge to me. They will try a technique called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) first to avoid intubation, but I'm not holding my breath. In fact, it's 1 a.m. and I'm going to sleep. Much love to everybody following, and until morning brings the results of the CPAP machine, "Good night, sweet prince" (Ham. V.ii. 371). But if any "noble hearts" start cracking or any "flights of angels" start singing, you'd better wake your little baby tush up!