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| Relaxing prior to his extubation |
Friday morning I called the hospital as I always do after rounds and they told us that the doctors planned to extubate him that very afternoon! We could not have been more excited and rushed to the hospital.
Just like last time we sat next to Benton in the hour before the planned extubation and gave him a pep talk about how great he was going to do on the CPAP and how if he was able to pull this off he wouldn't need surgery. Then the moment came when all the doctors surrounded his bed and it was time for the tube to be pulled. Unlike last time I stayed in the room and watched it happen. The respiratory therapist fit his nasal cannula to his face, suctioned him one last time, upped his oxygen to help in the transition and then pulled the tube. It was shocking how quick everyrthing happened and the fact that his stats barely dropped at all!
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| Enjoying his pacifier now that there is no tube! |
Seeing him without his tube and his face clear of the neobar and all that tape was exhilarating! We sat with him all afternoon cheering him on and helping to calm him down when he had gassy or colicky moments. Now that he has the tube out he is loving his pacifier and was seriously chomping on it all day long. After the extubation the nurses had to restart his feeds so they put a feeding tube down his throat and he promptly pulled it out. That happened again just minutes later as well. The nurses have advised us that we need to keep his hands in mittens or socks so he doesn't pull the feeding tube out which could cause him to aspirate on his milk and lead to pneumonia...so mittens and socks it is!
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| Daddy and son |
We couldn't be more thrilled with our little fighter's amazing progress. Since his extubation his blood gases have been good with CO2 in the high 50s to low 60s which is normal for a kid with chronic lung disease. In addition, his breathing rate is better than last time with him breathing anywhere from 50-70 breaths per minute unlike his 100+ breaths per minute last time he was extubated. We are so hopeful that this extubation sticks and he doesn't have to be reintubated in the coming days.
Please send your love and prayers that he remains extubated and on CPAP and doesn't need to have surgery in the coming weeks.
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Relaxing post-extubation
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| Happy 19 Weeks Benton! A Spring-themed sign in honor of your rebirth as a baby without a ventilator! |
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Wonderful news!! We're cheering back home in Indiana!!
ReplyDeleteZach and Christian
Yay!! You've got this Benton- just take it one breath at a time!!
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ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you all! I remember what an amazing step this was for our little girl and I love reliving the wonderful moment with all of you! It must be so wonderful to finally see his handsome face without all those wires and tape!
ReplyDeleteOur daughter pulled her feeding tube out constantly too. Sometimes when pulled it. the nurses would leave it out "just in case" she didn't need it again. She usually did but I remember the day she pulled it and then the next day when I went to the hospital... the tube was still out!! What a milestone! You'll get there too someday and it will be such a great feeling!
Keep up the good work Mom and Dad! Your support means the world to your little boy. He's a strong fighter just like you two are. He has learned from you!
Your friend Lucy is cheering you on! This was a big milestone for us and you too! We are constantly watching and praying for Benton and you both!
ReplyDeleteKara, Brian & Lucy Maciel