The breathing tube is off! The doctors and nurses will continue to monitor, but so far there is no need or indication that Grair will require the tube any more. Since the tube is off, both Melissa and I were able to hold Grair for the first time since surgery.

Grair’s breathing tube is still in, it wasn’t removed yesterday as originally thought. However, the breathing machine was turned off. He was able to breathe on his own, and the doctors have carefully been monitoring it. While breathing on his own, he had to work a little harder than they would have liked to see. We are told this is natural; after all, half of his very short life he has had a machine do the breathing for him. He needs...

I have started an album of Grair photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/seth007/GrairConnorMeranda?authkey=tTG5CMBsQgk While some may show up from time-to-time in the posts, the entire collection will always be available at this location.

Every doctor, nurse and resident has assured us that kids are tough. For the past seven days, Grair has been through more medical incidents than Melissa and I combined, and yet he is persevering and growing. His strength has made us stronger. Last night, Grair got have his first dose of milk. It was only a small amount, and it was feed through a nose in his tube, but it settled well. Sometime today, the doctors are going to try removing the...

Grair’s chest has been closed up by Dr. Hammel. It sounds as though everything went as planned, and Grair is doing well. Over the next 24 hours, he will continue to be monitored closely. It appears as though all is going as expected. The beeps and lights are flashing, and Melissa and I are starting to get used to it. We have been educated on many different items related to blood pressure, blood gas, heart rate, O2 levels, syndromes, and...

After the surgery, Grair’s chest was left open. This was done for a couple of reasons, but mostly to let fluid buildup and swelling occur without hindering comfort for Grair. After the surgery, we were told to expect the closing to occur in three or four days (Saturday or Sunday). Dr. Hammel checked-up on Grair this morning and found that he was doing very well, therefore he has decided to go ahead and close Grair’s chest this...