Broviac Free!

"Before"

Brett in pre-care, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. (The blue cap is the end of the catheter through which we administer medications and fluids as needed directly into his bloodstream. The tube curls around under the dressing then disappears into his chest where it is sort of snaked through to a major artery.)

The Broviac central catheter removal procedure went very smoothly, as we expected and hoped. They told us afterward that Brett was able to be sedated just by breathing the anesthesia medications through a mask - he did not require any kind of apparatus to be placed down his throat. This is always a good thing, because foreign objects down his throat could easily lead to an infection. This was his 3rd Broviac, thus his 3rd removal procedure.

He was first on the docket for the day, which meant that we had to get up at 4:30am to get there at the time they wanted us there. (And so did our sitter!) That stunk, but the positive part about that was that we didn't have to wait and we were home by 10:30! Many time we are there most of the day and get stuck in rush hour traffic on the way home.

"After"

Broviac-free! Let's get outta here!

In the PACU (post anesthesia care unit), he was smiling, clapping, and blowing "raspberries" at the nurse. I don't think they're very used to babies behaving that way in recovery! I guess for him it's "old hat." For Brett, this was a very minor procedure. After a short albuterol nebulizer treatment, we were sent to recovery and discharge. He was so cute and was clapping when we walked out of the hospital too. We have to wait a few weeks before we can submerge his chest in water, but we can begin to get him accustomed to the bathtub/pool up to waist high now. What a relief! Thank you for the prayers and concern!