Morphine withdrawal

Jessica had another chest X-ray in the morning as the bottom lobe of her left lung sounded quieter when the doctors did their check this morning.  The chest X-ray showed that there is a small amount of fluid around the left lung and so she also had an echocardiogram and ultrasound to look more closely so the team could decide whether any further action was needed.  At present, the amount of fluid seems quite small and so the plan is to observe and repeat the chest X-ray in a few days (or sooner if Jessica has any difficulties with breathing).

 

The morphine infusion has now been stopped and Jessica is now on oramorph.  She has been showing signs of withdrawal today – mostly irritability and sweatiness which has made her quite unhappy although thankfully so far she seems to be suffering less from withdrawal than she has done previously.  There are moments when she is awake and fairly settled and she is definitely soothed by mummy or daddy’s presence during the more unsettled moments.  The amount of morphine she is having will gradually be reduced to help minimise the side effects from withdrawal.

Her wound was also redressed today and looks much better than it did last week which is encouraging.  We were also able to dress Jessica in a babygro for the first time in over a week and Louise managed to have a very brief cuddle.