Michelin Man

Ever wonder what happens when your baby retains too much fluid? Yes he does take on the Michelin Man appearance. I am thinking of taking pictures and sending them to the Michelin tire company to get Johnathon a side job. May need it after I heard how expensive it is for some of these items he is receiving in his IV. Thank goodness for health insurance.

When ecmo does its job it causes fluids to build up in the body. Your kidneys can excrete so much before they reach their maximum capacity. This is what has happened to Johnathon. No longer the slim and trim guy he has become puffy. The Doctors had warned us of this situation, so it came as no surprise today when they started him on a dialysis treatment. On ecmo they have filter that the blood passes through that the fluid can be removed from similar to dialysis. To supplement the removal of these fluids they give him electrolytes from a very big bag (picture one of those bags you get at the grocery store filled with a clear fluid). The question I pose is, you must give fluid to get fluid back. In actuality this is correct.

We had some interesting things done by Johnathon today. He opened his eyes on numerous occasion as if to let us know he was doing good and to let us know that he heard what we were saying. He also started to become a frog man by positioning his legs in a weird frog squat style. I guess he thought that was comfortable. He is in a holding pattern as we wait a few days to make sure everything is settled down in his system. If things continue to go well he may have his surgery in about 6 days.

Special thanks to Cindy for organizing for Carter Blood Care to come to my work on Friday for a blood drive in Johnathon's honor. I know this brought a tear to both of Becky and my eyes. Thanks to the many new friends we have made while here. So many people have come up to me and said "you don't know me but your blog has taught me so much". It's special to know that our communication through here has inspired, compelled, relieved, and/or comforted others. When I first started this blog it was to help communicate our situation and to keep a log of our feelings for our son to one day read. Now I continue for so much more than that.

Keep fighting the strong fight Johnathon and I will keep letting others know of your battles. Love, Dad.