When Elliot's PICC line was first inserted it was placed a little too close to his heart, so they had to back it off a little bit. In the process of backing it off they ended up getting it in a place that allowed fluid to go into his right lung. For the past couple of days he has been having a harder time breathing than Oliver. Initially they thought this might be due to infection, which babies are super susceptible to because they have no immunity skills yet. The medical staff puts premies on antibiotics at the first sign of infection while they wait for labs to be sent off. The thinking is that it is better to have the babies on antibiotics incase the labs do turn up signs of infection, and if they do not they can simply stop the antibiotics.
To combat the liquid that was released into Elliot's lung, the doctors had to tap the lung, which is much like it sounds. They insert a needle and drain the fluid. There are basically two dangers that accompany this procedure. The first is that they will hit an artery while inserting the tap, the second is that fluid will build outside of the lung, but under the surface of the skin. If they had struck an artery it would have been immediately obvious through excessive blood loss. Thankfully they did not. As for any liquid pooling beneath the surface, this would have been apparent on the x-ray that was performed after the tapping procedure was complete. At first reading of the x-ray there is no apparent pooling.
Elliot is resting now, and recovering from the procedure. He is a little out of it due to the morphine. He is again receiving assistance breathing and getting oxygen that is slightly more elevated than room air. He is a tough little guy, and for that I am truly grateful.
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