Day 24....Day 40

Today is the 24th day that Samuel has been in the hospital since he was admitted on December 23rd. But it is the 40th day out of the last 41 days that he has been in the hospital. There has only been one day (Dec. 19) in the last 41 that Samuel has not been in the hospital.

Admission #1....Dec. 6th - Dec. 18th....13 days
Admission #2....Dec. 20th - Dec. 22nd....3 days
Admission #3....Dec. 23rd - ???....24 days so far

Total to date = 40 days out of the last 41

In honor of Samuel's 40th day in the hospital, I've been thinking about the significance of this number. There are many references to the number 40 in the Bible....during the flood it rained for 40 days and 40 nights; Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai; the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness; Jesus fasted for 40 days; and many others. Some Bible scholars believe that 40 represents a period of preparation for some special action of the Lord; a period of grace before some major change or transformation. I sure could get excited about a major change in Samuel's status. Please, Lord?

Hair can grow a lot in 40 days, so a very kind friend came today and cut Samuel's hair. It was a bit of a challenge to do it with him lying down for most of it, but the deed was done and he looks very handsome. Thank you, June!!

Otherwise, there wasn't much progress today. Samuel felt pretty lousy (understatement) all day and the nausea was back to plague him. For a very short time this afternoon, the Nicardipine drip was off. At the moment, we are back up to the "5" setting (1.13 mcg/kg/min). In order to move from the ICU back to the pediatric floor, Samuel needs to be able to maintain a systolic blood pressure under 150 without the Nicardipine IV drip. If he can do it loaded up with a combination of other IV and oral meds, that is acceptable. He just can't be on the pediatric floor with the Nicardipine drip.

I know that we will get there, but the going sure is slow.