Possible Extubation and Upward Progress: Day 130-131

I have said it before and I will say it again, the power of positive thoughts and prayers is amazing.  Everyone's prayers, positive vibes and love being sent to Benton have worked wonders.  Since Monday, Benton has made large strides forward bringing his ventilator pressures down from 21 to 18, his nitric oxide down from 14 to 3 and getting back to full feeds.  His ventilator pressures are back to levels that are as good, if not better, as the last time he was extubated.

Benton with his 18 Week St. Patty's Birthday Sign

Due to all this good news and the fact that "Benton is behaving", as the nurses say, the doctors have changed their minds and are getting ready to extubate Benton for the second time.  It's crazy how quickly things can change in the NICU.  Monday evening, we were having a conversation with the doctors and they were telling us he wasn't ready to be extubated and we should prepare for a tracheostomy surgery in the next two days and then the very following day the doctors have done a 180 and they are saying they want to extubate him!  This at the same time we are meeting with the ENT surgeon for a consult.  Gosh what a turnaround - it's fast enough to make your head spin.  

The new plan is for Benton to get extubated in the next couple days and we have to hope and pray that this time it sticks!!!!!  If all goes well - and we are praying it will - then Benton will narrowly miss surgery and be able to start breathing on his own with the CPAP nasal cannula.  We are hoping and praying every second of the day for a positive outcome, but we do know in the back of our heads that if he fails extubation we will be faced with surgery in the next couple weeks.  Please send tons and tons of positive extubation thoughts Benton's way so he can succeed in his second extubation!  This is the moment we have been praying and wishing for for months and if you can send positive thoughts and prayers his way we are sure it will work!

St. Patrick's Day Love from the Nurses

Lucky Ireland T-Shirt and Green Booties for St. Patty's Day.  Irish Pride!