Saturday, January 7, 2012

Out With the Oscillator, In With the Conventional Vent!

Apparently, Jude was done with the oscillator today: Throughout the morning, he was breathing over the vent a lot, he was seriously distressed (i.e. making the "crying face," flailing, elevated vitals), and his blood gases were getting steadily worse, with his CO2 levels continuing to climb. His chest x-ray revealed some lung collapse on the right side and some persistent pulmonary edema. At this point, the medical staff began to consider that perhaps Jude was trying to tell them that he didn't "like" the oscillator anymore and was ready to move on to the conventional ventilator. Their suspicion turned out to be right!

Around midday, Jude was switched over to the conventional vent, and he adjusted to the change very well. As the afternoon wore on, his blood gases looked a lot better, and the gas readings became much more consistent with minimal variance. And finally, after several days of appearing to get very little rest, he sacked out. He was even sucking on his gastric suction tube while he was sleeping. :)

We're so thankful to God for this move in the right direction, and, of course (!), we never would have anticipated that it would happen in this way. Please join us in praising God for what is shaping up to be a good day, and please continue to lift Jude up with us and ask our Lord that He will protect him over the next two days and prepare him for surgery on Monday.



    Bless the LORD, O my soul,
        and all that is within me,
        bless his holy name!
    Bless the LORD, O my soul,
        and forget not all his benefits,
    who forgives all your iniquity,
        who heals all your diseases,
    who redeems your life from the pit,
        who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
    who satisfies you with good
        so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
(Psalm 103:1-5)

19 comments:

  1. This is great news. We have been anxiously anticipating a post today. This is the kind of report we were praying for.

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  2. This makes my day! Great is His faithfulness!

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  3. Oh Happy Day!!! I am joining you in praise! Prying and flaming victory on Monday!

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  4. Oh joy! Praise Him from whom all breaths flow!

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  5. How amazing! I remember when God would surprise us with Pierce... we'd think something was a setback only to find out later that it propelled him forward! Praying that you have a restful Sunday and that things go as planned for surgery on Monday.

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  6. What fantastic news! Our God is Soooo good! Praying for your sweet baby boy tonight! Praying for continued healing and peace!

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  7. That is very awesome!!! Praying for Jude's surgery on Monday.

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  8. This post gave me chills. SO exciting to see that he was ready to switch machines. Still keeping you in our prayers. My boys have even been praying with me at night for baby Jude. They like to see the pictures of him on the blog as well. Our God is good!

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  9. Great News! I have been following your blog thinking and praying for Jude and your family. Sending big prayers and hugs for Judes surgery Monday.

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  10. Praise God! What a wonderful blessing. I'm praying for Jude's upcoming repair.

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  11. Great is His faithfulness!!! Praise the Lord!

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  12. So thankful! Praying toward Monday's surgery.

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  13. So Im trying to read this update to Rex and I start to cry and then he starts to cry. What JOYOUS news! Praise our God for his abounding love and unsearchable ways.

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  14. It reminds me of times I have prayed FOR something, only to realize that wasn't what I needed. This is such wonderful news. I hope tomorrow is the day!!

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  15. Wow! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! What a change from your post Friday night!

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  16. You know I can't go without comment.....even with all those ahead of me. Jude is a pretty independent guy and looks like he is wanting some peace. So glad he is making such great progress! Lit his candle today in church. God is able to do abundantly more than we could ask or expect. Much love to you all!

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