A week later

Lena coping with her week with a little evening umbrella dancing

It's a week after surgery and Clem seems to be recovering, but it has been a difficult and frustrating week for us all. The day after his surgery he had lots of congestion in his nose and chest, which turned out to be a type of paraflu. So he, and we when we visit, have spent the week in an isolation room. Hoping it would feel like a private suite. Instead we found it a strange, disconnected, place where doctors rounds happen outside the door out of earshot, and conversations happen through facemasks. 

Isolation making us all a bit loopy(er)

After each surgery Clem's always needed a day or two on the ventilator, but this virus has really extended that time. They finally removed the breathing tube yesterday and although he's looking and sounding much better, he is still receiving a bit of oxygen support at this time. More tubes and wires, but at least we can hold him again now. 

We don't know where exactly he picked up the bug - could have been from us, or someone else, but after seeing him struggling to breathe, please don't be offended if we ask to avoid visits unless everyone is well, especially while he hasn't got all the immune benefits of being fully breastfed on his side. 

In the last days he has been able to resume small amounts of milk feeds via
the tube to his intestines, downstream from his new repair. Time will tell if it's going to be more successful this time, but the surgeons are optimistic. And we have had two post-surgery poos already! Appreciating any positive signs.