October 16,2011

Today was another busy, exhausting day, but Jack had a super day.  We arrived to the hospital in time for rounds and was able to listen to all of the medical information they have on Jack.  It's crazy that there is a team of Dr.'s that are so involved in his care on a daily basis.  We are becoming more and more used to the terms that they use and what they all mean to Jack and his care.  It usually lasts about 10 minutes and it's nice to see his team on a daily basis because we feel like they are really connected to him and his needs.  Anyhow during rounds we learned that they were going to exhubate Jack today.  I will go into that more later.  They also said that today he is officially over his birth weight for the first time, which is another great accomplishment for our little guy.  We also learned his Billy levels, which were slightly too high, explaining why he was receiving phototherapy today when we arrived.  So, along with that comes a cute little purple mask to shield his little eyes from the LED lights that are shining brightly on him.  We are hoping this will only be on 24 hours, but tomorrow his blood test will show more.  His chest x-ray showed that his neumothorax on the right side is completely gone and there was nothing present on his left side where his chest tube is located.  All good signs for his respiratory system....a big improvement from where we were a couple of days ago.  They also stated in the radiology report that his lungs are functioning as they should and Jack is able to inhale and exhale as he should be able to.  They also increased his food intake from 13 ml to 20 ml every 3 hours. They also are monitoring how much drainage and air is being extracted from his left lung.  If it continues to go well like it has the past 3 or so days, they are considering removing the chest tube tomorrow or Tuesday.  So, pray for that.  Steve and I believe that if Jack is fussy at all, it's because his chest tube is causing pain or discomfort. 

Back to the exhubating.  Jack was intubated because he was unable to breathe without support.  Today they were confident that Jack could handle on his own with the support of a high flow oxygen canula.  So, ten minutes after we were done listening to rounds, Jack's respiratory therapist came and exhubated him.  We all said a prayer before they removed it and Jack did AMAZING.  We had to listen very quietly in order to hear him cry, but he was crying!  Such a pleasant sound to hear again.  He is very raspy from being intubated, but nonetheless, he has a voice again!  Steve and I were thrilled to hear this from him.  They immediately set him up on the new canula.  He is now receiving oxygen through his nose which is saturated with warm water.  Eventually the goal is to get him to be on a regular oxygen canula, which simply provides oxygen at the same rate as room air.  There are more numbers involved, but I won't go into those details.  As the day progressed Jack showed how much of a fighter he is.  He was breathing on his own throughout the day and needed little reminders to take a breath.  He seems happier too and a bit less finicky now that he doesn't have a tube down his throat.  This also allows for him to have a pacifier.  Our nurse today, Katie, who was amazing, ordered a pacifier for him and when it arrived we gave him the option of having it.  He immediately took to it and was sucking away, which will help with self-soothing.

We were able to hold Jack again today....a great feeling to know that the baby you are holding is breathing on his own.  It's a whole new thing to know that he is making his chest rise without the support of his ventilator.  Jack had lots of visitors today!  Good thing he was on his best behavior... :)