Home

Home has never felt so good. Cohen has been doing well, with the exception of some pain issues. He's gets these crying fits that make you feel like nothing will help. The little guy is on enough prescriptions , it would make Michael Jackson blush. We've been pretty sleep deprived but happy to see our boy smile at us again. Tomorrow Cohen will get another heart echo to see if fluid is still present around his heart. Were hoping that is not the case, he would have to get the fluid drained other wise. This would also result in another trip to Portland to the children's hospital. We can only hope for the best, and i'll post results tomorrow, and on that note. I bid you all a good night.

10th floor

So yesterday was a good day we got moved to the 1oth floor for the remainder of Cohen's recovery. No more P.I.C.U. for us which is good, because the doctors are confident that he's having a good recovery. The little guy is down to just one IV and other then a couple of monitor stickers on his chest. Which is good for being able to pick him up when ever we want. Cohen even gave mom a smile last night even after them having to draw blood twice out of his head, because they have a rough time finding a vien to draw from. We haven't heard yet when we might be able to get to go home, but hope it's soon. Other than Sarah having to deal with a serious lack of sleep, were doing well and our spirits are high. The picture was from last night, and were glad to see him almost back to himself. Tonight Sarah or I are taking Mia to go see Miley Cyrus at the Rose Garden, it will also be the first time Big Sis gets to see little Co-bear. That's the news for now consider yourself filled in.

the Graves Family

New Day

Today has started off to be a way better day. For starters today was the first day we got to hold our little guy since the day of his operation. It was probably the best thing that i could have done today, I also got to feed him a bottle. The doctors on their rounds this morning were commenting on how well Cohen is doing. They plan on removing some of his tubes today, they already removed his catheter. We've also been hearing that either today or some time tomorrow we will be moved to a regular room and out of I.C.U. which will be nice. So things are looking very well and we couldn't be any happier with Co-bears progress. So for now that is what i got for you all, and again thanks for all of your support.

The Graves Family

Off Ventilation

So they got Cohen off the ventilator which was probably one of the most scariest moments for us. I don't think there is anything that can prepare you for that. When they removed the tubes Cohen had a fare amount of sedation medicine in his system which prevented him from being able to take a breath on his own. I'm not sure I could describe in words what that was like for me; I've never felt so helpless. Watching your child struggle to take in air is something i hope no parent should see. I've never really thought a breath was so important till today. Once the doctors gave Cohen some medicine to reverse the affects of the sedative he was able to take a breath and let out a cry. I've never been so elated to see Cohen cry and breath on his own. Trust me when i say that I've never had this big of lump in my throat till today. He's been showing very positive signs since then, and even was able to open his eyes and take a look around. I couldn't be any more grateful for the staff in the P.I.C.U. that were there in the room helping Cohen get through it. For now i can rest easy seeing the little guy being able to breath on his own and let us know when he wants some attention. For now that is all, and I want you all to know that Sarah and I are doing well and hope that each new day Cohen gets a little better

Thanks

the Graves Family

Cohen's Recovery

Sorry about the delay on this post, I know a lot of you have anxiously been awaiting a new post. So to jump right into where we are today, Cohen has been under sedation and on a ventilator since day of his surgery. Today though the doctors feel that he's strong enough to come of the ventilator. So sometime later today they will slowly take him off the sedation medicine so that he'll be able to wake up. Cohen has been showing all the normal signs of a infant his age in recovery. It's been very hard for Sarah and I to see Cohen this way. We both would like nothing more then to be able to pick him up and hold him close to us. Although this morning he did open his eyes a couple of brief moments to show us his eyes. We've been trying to stay with Cohen as much as possible in the ICU, and Sarah has been sleeping in there with him at nights while I sleep at the Ronald Mcdonald House. So that is where we are for now and I'll make an update tonight. If you've been trying to reach us on our cell phones, and been unsuccessful please leave us a message and we'll try to call you when we can. Were unable to have our phones on in the ICU. Thanks again for everyone's support, you have no idea how much we appreciate it and need it. Thanks

Adam, Sarah, and Little Co-bear

Well today went pretty smooth. We got up at the crack of dawn and were at the hospital by 7am. We got an echo on Cohen and that was followed by a tour of Dorenbecher's PICU and a brief break down of what our schedule will be like tomorrow. After the tour we met with a heart cardiologist followed by a sit down with the surgeon in charge of Cohen's surgery. Then Co got a chest x-ray, and I'm saving the best part of the day for last. The last thing we had to do for pre-opt was get a blood lab done. This was probably the least favorite thing today, Sarah and I pretty much had to hold little Co-bear down while these two nurses poked our poor little guy trying to find a vein to get some blood. The nurses were able to get some blood but not as much as they wanted. Sarah and I were a little short with each other after the blood lab, good thing were able to make each other laugh. We finished the day with my parents and went to dinner with my brother's family and are now going to have a very early night. We need to be checked in at 6:30am tomorrow and the Surgery will start at about 7:30am. We won't know anything till about 1 or 2pm. We will be sending out news to family and friends as soon as we get it. Cohen can use all your guys best wishes. Thanks again to all, Love the Graves Family