Weaning off the ventilator

Yesterday, Thursday, Oliver took  "a step back" because the doctors had to go back up on some of his ventilator settings to keep him stable, but today, Friday, he had a very good day.  He tolerated a few "big steps forward" on weaning off the ventilator, hasn't had any significant desaturation or bradycardia spells, and slept all through the day.  I think his nurse even got a little bored, but I think he would agree that boring days in the PICU are good!

Tomorrow will be a big day - if all goes well the doctors plan to take Oliver off the ventilator!  He has responded well overall to the weaning process, and the doctors seem optimistic that he will do well with the extubation (vent removal) too.  I am somewhat apprehensive about it considering that his heart stopped after he had a strong gag reflex on a breathing tube previously, but I know the doctors will be prepared for that possibility and that God continues to hold our little boy. 

The doctors have started weaning Oliver off the sedatives, but we learned today that this process will take some time too.  I hadn't thought about my dear baby going through withdraw as he woke up, but he's been on opiate sedatives and pain killers for 10 days now - long enough that he's gotten used to them and will need some support and time to wean off of them.  

His x-rays still show some fluid in his lungs, and he still is "poufy" as Elsa described to me when I asked how she thought he looked.  The docs are using several means to help him diurese this remaining fluid off, so hopefully he'll look normal soon. 

Here he is tonight, with his puppy propping up his vent tubes. 

With Oliver having such an uneventful, sleepy day, I actually had a quiet, restful day.  Betsy and the girls came in the morning, and Joel and I met for dinner after his work (he's been able to do some work remotely from a company office in Portland), but otherwise I had the day to myself.  In spite of being in the PICU it was rather nice!  I'm trying to rest and sleep now expecting that Oliver will probably need lots of mommy time when he starts to wake up from sedation. 

We continue to focus on the blessings and provisions.  I was reminded while meandering through the 8th floor courtyard today that beauty can be found even in drainage pipes.