Recovery Day 4- switching ecmo

For the most part things have been pretty stable since being switched to the ECMO. Yesterday the cardiologist reported that the kidney function looked better, but the heart function was about the same, no worse. Right now we are mostly just waiting for her heart to get a good rest and then talk about weening from the machine. The nurses (she has 2 at all times) are working constantly monitoring Lyla and her meds, making adjustments as necessary. We've heard them talking about her temperature a lot and trying to get that where they want it. Maintaining pain control, blood pressure, constant blood draws for labs, etc.
  Today we got a call giving us a heads up about switching out the ECMO. Several blood clots had formed in the lines (normal) and the risks to keep that machine with the clots outweighed the risks to switch out. Dr. Vlautin said it went well and now it's back to readjusting since switching out was kind of a shock to the body. Dr said she saw the heart pumping ok during the switch and that a was good. Her color is not pretty, but should be back to pink again soon.
  We were told before bypass was in the picture that there was extra fluid in her right lung and that they would possibly insert another chest tube to help drain. But with her being on the ECMO, her blood is too thin to try that. Today Dr. V said her right lung has collapsed because of mucous build up. They've made some adjustments and started a therapy (tapping on her chest) to help loosen the mucous and drain it that way. Since she's not moving (paralyzing drug) and coughing etc, it makes the process slower, but the paralytic drugs have been stopped as of 11am today and we've been able to see some movement (very slight twitching).
  Still really puffy, should take a few more days for that to go down.
  Echo tomorrow to check on heart and reasses where she is and a plan for weening.