All I can say is “Phew”…today has been a physically and emotionally draining day but good just the same. At the time of my last post, Rudy was working hard to breathe on his own and Nurse Young and I spent a good bit of the day trying every trick in the book to get Rudy to calm down. Various doctors were in and out checking Rudy, his numbers and his lab results multiple times. The curious thing is that the test results and Rudy’s appearance didn’t match the numbers on the monitor…based on those, Rudy should have been purple! Instead, he was pink and beautiful. The big concerns were, as I mentioned earlier, his oxygen sats and the fact he was breathing so hard. The sats were all over the map dipping down into the low 40’s at times which isn’t good and not going higher than the low-60s which isn’t ideal. He did get a blood transfusion mid-afternoon and that seemed to help. When I left for dinner, his sats were resting comfortably in the low-70s – better!! We’re not out of the woods as Rudy’s little nose continues to flare and his tummy continues to retract with every breath but the RT did remove the ventilator from our room today which felt victorious. After a certain amount of time, the ventilator is deemed “contaminated” and they have to remove it…if Rudy needs to be intubated again, he’ll get a fresh unit. Rudy and I bellowed a hearty “goodbye” as if it’s gone for good nonetheless.
Rudy's Beat 
Yeah 36 hours!! Rudy looks like he is ready for a massage in that position.
Great news, and love the video. Still praying and hope to hear even more good news soon.
hugs and kisses…
Praying that the next 36 hours will be easier… keep breathing, Rudy!
Yeah for Rudy!
I LOVE nurse Betty and the rest of the nurses as well at that hospital! What a great hospital and I am so happy for Rudy and all of the Geyling Family. Cheers Rudy!
It is 6:15 a.m. and the alarm just went off to awaken Grandpa Dick so he could meet his buddies for breakfast before they go to work! I just couldn’t wait to read Rudy’s Beat so I piled out of that warm bed to check on you. Yippee!! You are such a little trooper, Rudy. You have your mama and daddy’s determination and we are so proud of you. Stay the course and this breathing skill will improve. We love you!
Thank you Lord and staff!
He’s looking wonderful!! Definitely not in the 40’s or 60’s with sat. rates!!!! Love those little lips! Go rudy!
Continued Prayers from CT
You’re doing great big boy!!! I have a poster on my door keeping track of your hours and at 7:00 it’s 43, almost 2 days!!!!!! Continued prayers,
Kaitlin
What a fighter! Keep it up, buddy, we’re praying for ya! Heather
Go Rudy Go! Praying for another good day! We love you!!
EVERY time I look at Rudy’s photos I find myself giggling and talking baby talk to him. He is sooooo darn CUTE!! I know you are in love with him, he’s gorgeous. We are praying God’s peace and love and mercy over all your time spent there by his bedside.
Fantastic!! You are right, his color does not match those numbers! Way to go Rudy, I will have a toast now, shall I say “bottoms up?!” Have another super day of breathing on your own little guy!
His expressions are priceless, prayers for improvement continually………today sounds like a Good Day…….HLHS grandma
Rudy,
You have less than three days to get this breathing thing down so you can sit up and cheer the Cardinals on Sunday!
(Wonder if a vocal coach or a Yoga instructor would help the breathing)
Hi Rudy, I have been praying for you while I’ve been travelling to the Midwest! Haven’t been able to check the blog alll day but lo and behold, while flying through Minneapolis, I saw and recognized Alan Manning (Katie’s dad) in the airport. Not knowing him except from pics I have seen on Rudy’s Beat, I took a chance and said “hi” and asked if it was him. And it was! Rudy, Katie, so many people know of you and they even run into each other in random airports. I am praying for both the Geylings and the Mannings; you are among the most courageous, enduring people I know! Love and God bless!
Woah what an unbelievable divine meeting in the airport in Minnesota…God keeps letting us know that he is totally IN this fight with you Rudy. And you know what? I don’t know how much longer I can last without squeezing you! Can’t wait to see you.
Hi thier, just wanted to say hello and tell you how pressious you are. I know you are in God’s hands like a baby dove. Soon it aill be timer to ruffle your feathers and fly.Stay golden little Rudy you are such a gift to your famialy.Andto the famialy you all are an insperation to life and Rudy makes that just a bit stronger. My prayers and love are with you all.
Rolf, Trish and family,
What an inspiration you are, and Rudy is just adorable and will get stronger every second!! I just want to share this devotional that I had for today: “As white snow flakes fall quietly and thickly on a winter day, answers to prayer will settle down upon you at every step you take…The story of your life will be the story of prayer and answers to prayer.”
What a testimony you all have!!
God bless you,
Tanya
Oh my gosh, that comment about taping his mouth shut – I’m laughing, kind of uncontrollably, at 3 a.m. with tears coming out of my eyes. It is just so first grade! I think I have some built up emotions after reading all your entries.
Love to you, Cheryl