Caleb was taken off the ventilator again today. Everyone was pretty positive, so when they took him off, they put him on a nasal cannula with high flow oxygen instead of the CPAP. He was pretty testy today, either from being hungry or from the pain of the surgery. I guess the surgery he had yesterday is more painful than the open heart surgery because they have to cut through muscle and then when you breathe, you are using the muscles that have been cut.
Phil and the kids were here, so Phil sat with Caleb and I hung out with the kids. Caleb was doing quite well and his levels were all where they belonged. Phil came back to the hotel to eat supper with us and after supper, I headed to the hospital.
When I got to the hospital, Caleb's oxygen levels were too low and they could not get them back up. They think that there might be some collapse in the left lung again. They were ordering a chest x-ray to determine the extent of the collapse. They were going to put him back on the CPAP and see if that would help reinflate his lung. They are going to try everything they can to avoid intubating him again.
The nurse caught me in the middle of a small meltdown and reassured me that he is doing much better than the first time they extubated. He just might need a little inflation on the left lung and some "tweaking". She told me to call her before I go to sleep to check on him. The nurses and doctors here are wonderful.
I just need to remember that Caleb always takes one day longer than he should and he WILL NOT be rushed. I also need to remember that even though we have small steps backward, we are still moving forward and he is getting better.
I'm very thankful that hubby & children could some spend some time with you & precious little Caleb! Grateful that God sent that particular nurse along as you were in meltdown mode! ( I thinks some nurses are Angels in disguise :o) I have a cousin who has had many health issues/crises in her life due to polio. She LOVES U of M & credits GOD & them for keeping her alive. You & Caleb are in Good Hands!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing his face this morning. I just stared at it and prayed for him, his doctors, and his family.
ReplyDeleteHis picture looks so good. I know it has been a long road, but he sure looks like he has come a long way. Stay strong, you have a lot of people praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteJim Kathy & Kaden
He is so cute!
ReplyDeleteIt is okay to have meltdowns (we all would).
You all have been through a lot. Hope all is
better soon.
You are so amazing! Thank you for your posting...It is and always has been my prayer that God holds you and your family in his hands as you continue on this journey. I am glad you got to spend time with your other children. I hope you know that many people are praying for all of you. Yes, I think that most of the good nurses are angels and it sounds like God gave you one when you needed it the most. As with everything it is one step at a time..May God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMartha Johnson