Zayne is more than ready to be discharged. She is running up and down hallways, walking all over the hospital, playing outside, jumping, and not needing a nap. Zayne told me that she likes her new heart, and keeps saying “I’m not even tired”
Nurses thought we were being discharged today, since she is ready. She is not on any monitors during the day, and has minimal hookups during the night. She should be discharged on Monday (that is Postop Day 7), but needs a blood draw at 7:30 pm and meds at 8 pm. I’m not sure if they will let us go late, or keep Zayne for another night. The doctors need to regulate her anti-rejection meds and check her renal function. After Zayne is discharged, she will need to be back in the hospital 2 days every week for blood draws and checkups. Her little finger is still really sore from this morning’s blood draw.
This evening was the easiest meds, yet. She takes each med syringe with a pre-sip of Hershey’s syrup, followed by a chaser of syrup. I have to play rocket ship with the syringe, so will take the medication. Right now, she gets 5 different medicines each morning, and 3 at night. This doesn’t include the swish and spit medicine to prevent thrush that she has to take 3x/day. She gets a special weekend antibiotic at twice a week that will be administered every weekend.
The hope is that she will be off all medications except the 2 main antirejection meds after 3 months. The antirejection meds need to be taken for the rest of her life (or until technology has something new).
It is a joy to see you play Miss Zayne. Is that a jalapeno pepper or a carrot you were climbing and hoppin’ off? I sure do like your new heart Zayne! Your new pumper has turned you into Thumper the bunny! My big brother named his new pancreas Pete, and new kidney Kevin. He takes meds like you every day too.