Lungs

(Original appeared April 22, 2016)

The chest xray this morning was not the best (they said it’s his worst xray thus far). It showed more and more junk (looks like fog, and indicates fluid or possibly some scar tissue). So they are trying another treatment to help open his airways. So far, his oxygen levels have been better today than yesterday which is good news. He has also settled down and has been sleeping well this afternoon. This is very welcomed due to his restlessness yesterday coupled with the battery of tests he went through this morning.

We don’t have results back on the head and heart scans but I’ll report as soon as we do. However, he isn’t showing signs of swelling in his head, and the heart murmur hasn’t been heard for two days – both good things. And his heart rate has dropped to a more tolerable level (from over 200 bpm to about 180 bpm).

He’s tolerating the NAVA ventilator fairly well. I think they’ve got it dialed in better lately so he’s not fighting with it as much. He’s taking most of the breaths himself. The least amount of ventilator assistance, the better it is for his lungs. The problem is that his lungs just can’t do it all themselves yet so it’s quite the Catch 22.

He seems to like being laid on his side now. He quiets right down and gets comfy. Tonight should be a good restful sleepy night for him.