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Baby T's Story, Chapter 8- Extubated

Monday 2/27/12

CPAP involves them turning down the vent settings so that Baby T is encouraged to breath more on his own.
The NPO order stands to allow them to extubate without complications
(if he vomits his stomach contents he might aspirate and develop pneumonia again).


During the morning rounds they go over the plan to extubate as CPAP is going well.
 We leave so that they can remove the vent. IB Dad and I are giddy and can barely contain our excitement.
Soon we are requested and we go to his bedside, we're so anxious to see him.


Baby T is struggling on the CPAP machine since it fits poorly and is leaking.
Intubation + botulism cause his cry to be little more than a raspy "mewwing" sound.
Frequent blood gases (labs which in his case always involve alot of pokes) are done to
make sure that he is tolerating the transition well.
There is a flurry of activity surrounding his crib but I kiss his cheeks
during the first opportunity I get.


IB Dad & I get to hold our son after 5 long days of being unable to.
Holding him is bittersweet.
He is putting so much energy into his breathing. 
He seems as weak as when we first brought him here. 
Our reunion isn't what I expected, was he stronger yesterday or did I imagine it?
The CPAP machine is constantly beeping (alarming) making it even more
difficult to relax and soak in this moment.






Respiratory therapists, nurses and pediatricians continue to monitor Baby T closely.
The decision to switch him to a high flow nasal canula is made and he seems slightly more comfortable.
The need to get frequent blood gases means another decision to
put in an arterial line in order allow easier lab draws (less pokes).



They warn us that Baby T may need to be intubated once more. He is struggling to breath without support
but with the blood gases coming back in the ok range, they continue to "wait and see".
 A rough night is had by all as we anxiously await the next day. 
IB Dad stays the night in the hospital with us since we’re terrified of him being intubated once more.

We sleep in shifts since now one of us can be bedside through the night but sleeping next to him during such an anxious period of time is a near impossibility.


Click to continue reading Baby T's Story, Chapter 9


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