Pacifier = Good Oxygen Levels?

(Original appeared May 2, 2016)

I arrived at the hospital this evening to find that Jacob had his ventilator set at 90% O2 – his highest setting so far. Even at this level, his blood oxygen saturation (called “Sats” in the medical biz) was all over the place and mostly on the low end. The nurse turned him over and checked him, and tried a few things. As she was suctioning his mouth, she noticed that he latched on to the suction tube and wouldn’t let go. We discussed that he seemed to like his pacifier the other day. So, she gave it a shot tonight. He took right to it, and immediately his oxygen levels went up. They rose so much and stayed steady that we dropped the vent setting by 2%. So, either he really REALLY liked the pacifier, or the pacifier helped block some of the air leakage that is taking place lately around his ventilation tube. Either way, we liked the result. And hey, I have to say I enjoyed the experience of holding that pacifier in his mouth for 30 minutes straight (my arm went numb but I didn’t care). The bummer is that he still had no kidney output. His ultrasound results came back fine, so there’s no blockage. They just haven’t started up yet. And so we wait. The really sad thing is that the fluid retention has him blown up like a little water balloon. We know it has to be uncomfortable for him. They will be weaning him off the kidney meds soon which means he may be able to go back on breast milk sooner than later. Perhaps that will spur things on.
I also wanted to let all of you know that Deb and I read each and every one of the comments, and even check out the “likes”. We love the feedback, and hearing about how J-Dub’s journey has touched you and your family.  We especially are touched by the stories of how your families are praying more consistently and fervently together. I think that somehow the prayers of a child touch God’s heart just *that* much more. We hope that this experience as a family together is as profound for you as it is for us. Thank you. -R