I think there’s consensus on the fact that Rudy is a superhero, but I’m not sure everyone grasps the full extent of his superpowers. Lately, I’ve been studying one carefully as it boggles the mind…he seems impervious to unbelieveable dips in his oxygen sats.
For those of you who aren’t heart parents or pulse oximetry geeks, normal oxygen saturation levels in humans are 92-100%. If you dip below 90% you get put on continuous oxygen. When normal humans get below 80%, function can become drastically impaired. Not much farther below that and they start to turn blue.
As an HLHS parent, you’re told that your child will have sats in the 70s and 80s prior to the Glenn. Rudy needs continuous oxygen to stay at that level, but the docs have told us that there’s no need to get neurotic if tanks run out, the power goes out and the concentrator doesn’t run (like it did last week), or we need to give him his bath. It’s not devastating for him to drop below that level for a period of time. We check sats regularly just to keep an eye on things and this is where Rudy’s superpower becomes evident. This week, I brought him in from the car and decided to check his sats while the concentrator warmed up. Here’s what I observed:
Good heart rate of 125. O2 sats of 35!!! Pink as can be. Smiling and laughing away. How does DeSat Boy do it? (Yes, it’s reading right). I’m expecting calls shortly from NASA and an Everest expedition or two as I’m sure they’ll be curious as to why they all need supplemental oxygen to function (pansies) while Rudy keeps right on giggling.
Fly on, DeSAT Boy!
Rudy's Beat 
Oh, Rudy! You make me smile with every post from your parents. Even the difficult ones make me smile because you have such a wonderful family living their faith and sharing their faith and hope with all of your faithful readers.
Way to go DeSat Boy! Keep on flying. I look forward to seeing you when you come in for your Glen.
Too hilarious! He is the cutest, most resilient thing EVER!
He looks perky and pink to me! I’d be sending that reader in for repairs! Looking Good!
I just returned to work (hospital/anesthesia dept) proudly wearing my Rudy bracelet. I just wanted to check on Rudy now that I am back in computerland. DeSat Boy is my hero! What a cutie. I will share this with my fellow work animals…………especially the pictures!
You go Rudy!!!!! It was such fun seeing you and holding you in person. Best Brownie meeting I ever attended. Thanks for making that wish come true, Trish. Olivia and Katie certainly added to the joy of my visit.
Katie’s Nana
Rudy says, “I don’t let a little thing like oxygen get in my way of having a great time.” He truly is amazing…and SOOOO adorable! Keep on keepin’ on little guy…we’re still praying for you all.
Lots of love,
Chris and Lisa
We love pink…..even on boys!
Cami says, “I think he is cute.” Who needs oxygen, anyway? Love to your whole family!
Oxygen Shmoxygen!
I can’t believe how good he looks for 35!! Super hero…indeed! 🙂
Rudy.. You are a ROCKSTAR!! It always amazes me that no matter how low the sats go.. the smiles stay on their face! Owen has been in the 50’s on several occasions and acted perfectly normal… never have we been at 36.. that we know of. Isn’t it crazy that this is our normal??
Wow! Rudy, you continue to amaze us all! Thank you for sharing! Much love to all of you!
God is gracious indeed!
Love those smiles! He is really showing his personality! So cute!
THat is amazing and funny to read to boot. Go Rudy!!!
I can’t believe that he’ll be a year old in a week; time flies!!
Trish, did this bring a good laugh to me! As you well know what I do for a living, and I tell you when I have had those sats at my work they DO NOT look like Rudy!! Go Rudy! Unbelievable!
There seems to always be something science can’t fully explain. Glad Rudi is on the plus side of this mystery. Check out M. Crichton’s “the Andromada strain” for strange events with panting infants. Not that his explanation of survival in the face of otherwise lethal “science fiction” bacteria means anything, just wondering if Rudi’s joyous expression and actions, might be his method of compensating. At any rate, he is a fine looking boy.
That’s hilarious. I keep asking the MD’s here why Josiah looks so pink when his O2 sats are reading in the 40’s. No one can seem to figure that out on Josiah either.