Post-Op Day 19

Just thought I'd update on how Reagan's been doing the last two days.  Since getting extubated on Saturday, Reagan has been still quite sleepy, drugged, whatever you want to call it.  I did get to hold her on Sunday for the first time in nearly 3 weeks.  Not sure, if she enjoyed it quite as much as mama but thankful for the moment, to say the least.

Her wake times are minimal and she has already begun showing signs of withdrawal during these episodes of being awake.  Her pupils are huge, she's quite combative with anyone trying to touch her.  This is an unfortunate stage we always go through and takes fine-tuning to get her withdrawal meds at just the right dose for her to be somewhat comfortable. She is getting Methadone and Ativan and today Clonidine was added.  She can also have PRN doses of Ativan or Morphine.  She's already received two PRN doses of Morphine today.  It has seemed to make her rest a little better.  She was able to get rid of her Art line today, that had been in since surgery.  I'm sure she appreciates this seeing that it was in her groin all this time.
This morning around 6am, Reagan had another "seizure-like" episode.  PawPaw Lonny was sitting bedside with her when it happened.  There was a fellow dr. who saw the episode as well.  Both described it as her eyes being rolled back in her head and locked, not focusing.  Her head was shaking up and down uncontrollably as well.  It lasted about 20 seconds and then she was done, falling back to sleep.  This time her arms and legs were not locked as before.  She is on a seizure med currently at a small dose.  Neurology wants to give her a day or two of trying to get her withdrawal meds worked out before possibly going up on the seizure dosage.  They feel the episodes still could be medication-related.  I am praying this is so.  Reagan was on by-pass for a super long time and this can affect the brain sometimes.  She's not herself enough yet for me to tell if cognitively she has any affects from the bypass.  Also, her meds were adjusted quite a bit over the weekend to wake her enough for extubation so this could be a cause as well.
When Reagan was extubated Sat. she was put on high-flow nasal cannula at a rate of 8 L at 100% oxygen.  She's now at 7L @ 70% O2.  Her respiratory rate has been really low since Sat.  In spite of this, all of her blood gases and other vitals are normal and she seems comfortable breathing, not in any distress.  They are watching her respiratory rate and hoping it corrects itself the more she wakes up and is less drugged. They are also slow to wean the high-flow because of this so I'm praying it corrects itself sooner than later so it does not hold up our getting out of here. 
From an infection standpoint, she has not had any more fevers since Sat.  She's now on the standard doses of all 4 of her antibiotics to cover her for H flu (pneumonia) and enterobacter.  These doses are due to end Saturday, which is mine and Rod's anniversary.  I pray there's not much hold up after that so that we can get home and enjoy some good family time together.
Thank you all again for your continued prayers & support!!