Kate is still improving today. Small steps. We’re not going to be making any big changes until Monday at the earliest. Today’s echo showed things still need time to recover and chill. There were a number of positive steps forward though. Today Kate started a tiny bit of tummy feeds. They are trying to get her gut to start waking up and it seems to be working. She got her last chest tube removed today! This was one of originally three tubes into her chest there to help drain blood and fluid after surgery. Her sternum incision is looking good with the bandage off and just a clear liquid bandage left.
We’re not sharing photos of Kate right now. Maybe at some point but for now, keep thinking of her as the cute, smart, energetic toddler sledding down the hospital hallway!
Today I wanted to share a bit about the Right Ventricle Assist Device (RVAD) device she’s on. This seems to be Children’s first time using this specific device it but it seems pretty cool. There are 2 tubes coming out of Kate’s chest, one coming out from the Right Atrium of the heart and the other leading back in to the Pulmonary Artery. In the middle is a cool little pump that works with a magnet to spin an impeller in the tubing. The blood flows in a self-contained circuit. The pump is roughly the size of a soup can. There is a small computer-sized control device with attached monitor to adjust the pump speed. All in all, it’s a simple, elegant design. We got to talk to the manufacturer’s rep that was on-site with it. He let us play with his demo unit too. Coming from the huge ECMO device that required constant attention and tweaking it was very interesting to see how small and simple it was.
Demo Unit – Impeller 
Kate’s impeller in the pump with backup pump below 
Control Unit and backup
This weekend is likely going to be quiet. Nothing major is planned. We may not share over the weekend. If anything comes up, we’ll share but we are all going to rest and try to recover from a crazy busy week.
I really do not understand all the pump details, but I do understand that she is doing better and continuing to hold her improvements – no steps backward. Yes, I hope you can all get some R and R this weekend.
Love to all of you, Jan
What amazing people we have in the world! For someone to invent machinery to regulate a body & a person’s heart is huge. For the hospital staff to use these devices & teach you what is happening is wonderful. Then, for you to convey it to us is a wonder & truly a privilege. Thank you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives with these updates.
Audrey & Dave you have been through so much these last two years. How loving & dedicated you are learning so much along the journey. I pray you continue with love, peace & dedication on this courageous journey. I appreciate your updates. Love & support, Aunt Cynthia