We got a voicemail from Dr. Dan this evening telling us how great Rudy looks off the ventilator and, if we didn’t already know it, that we have a tough little guy. My phone conversation with Dr. Robert this evening confirmed that and gave more detail on the events of the day. I guess I was a bit off in my previous post in that, while the team was planning on taking out the tube within the hour, Rudy got it out himself about 30 minutes ahead of time. It needs to be in just the right place and only a few centimeters can shift it out of place, something he was able to accomplish with his tongue and swallowing muscles. Dr. Brian claims to have checked in on Rudy early this morning and told him to get rid of the tube, so I guess he was just being a good patient.
What makes us very glad right now is that the team is very encouraged by how good Rudy looks. He’s breathing in the low 20s with saturations in the high 70s. While he does get a bit agitated, he is able to calm himself down with the pacifier. This has reportedly presented a problem of ingenuity in the CTICU, where they have gadgets that can probe just about every part of the body through any chosen orefice, but no appropriate technology for keeping an infant’s pacifier engaged. Dr. Robert reports that quite a few innovative attempts have been made with various tubing and tape contraptions, but most of the time it requires a highly trained human index finger to hold it in place. Hold on, everyone–we’ll be there shortly.
Rudy's Beat 
It’s been such a short time that I have been able to catch up with you guys and wow what great accomplishments you have all done. Great job to Rudy. What a guy! Im so proud of you guys to for being so strong for him and the other kids. You wont realize till your home with Rudy how amazing this whole journey is. I miss you guys but glad you have this blog to keep us “together”. All our love and prayers are consistently with you!! XOXO Go Rudy Go!!
Wonderful news! Keep it up Rudy and they may kick you out of that hospital. Sweet dreams and hope for an even better day tomorrow.
Praying as always….hugs and kisses.
Such exciting news! Can’t wait to see you Rudy working on your “paci”. You are so cute! Love, Cousin Dianna
He knows how to keep the human touch right where he wants it – close-by! I would LOVE to be on Paci-duty for a while! California is too big a state…:(
Praise God!! What amazing news. Rudy, keep up the good work. Keep growing stronger. Rolf and Trish, stay strong yourselves. We know that you are tired and are ready for this ordeal to be over. Know that you have an incredible prayer support over you and your family. Looking forward to the reading the blog one day and finding out that Rudy has gone home with you to SB.
Love,
WIll & Lori
Thanks for this great news….funny how a beep on the computer signaling a beat from Rudy sends us all to the message, leaving whatever was in process hanging for who cares how long! So good to see you this morning Rolf! xoR
alright! can you hold the pacifier with one hand and take a video with the other? 🙂 you have made it painfully clear that HLHS is a beast and not to be taken lightly. and i have an idea that you aren’t letting your guard down for a second. but for this moment i am very thankful and oh so happy for you, for Rudy, for the family and for The Team.
You go Rudy!
just a tip… ask Opa Geyling about how he engineered your auntie’s pacifier to stay in her mouth 45 years ago while Oma was out! 🙂
Wonderful news on Rudy, a really tough little fellow, we’re all Praying for him and the family. Keep up the good work Rudy. Love and Prayers, Virginia Gough
Go Rudy!
Katie’s Nana