Reintubated

The fellow just called me from SickKids to let me know that they are reintubating Josiah.  He didn't have a good day today so I wasn't surprised by the news.  It is a relief to know that he won't be struggling overnight. He had chest indrawing while breathing for most of the day and he was receiving a high percentage of oxygen. 

When I arrived this morning I learned that Josiah had lost weight.  He now weighs 5.77 kg.  Shortly after signing my consent, he went to get his PICC line and that went very well.  I asked about the second culture from his lung secretions and it again showed a bacteria but Josiah will only receive additional antibiotics if he gets a fever.  After returning from his PICC procedure, his pacing wires were removed and he had an ultrasound of his diaphragm.  Josiah's breathing then changed so he had a chest x-ray but the lungs were not collapsed, just somewhat congested.  They were wondering if there was something wrong with his diaphragm that was affecting his breathing but the ultrasound looked good.

The nurse turned away physio in the early afternoon as Josiah was not stable.  The nurses took out the central line in his groin as well as the ART line in his right arm as it was leaking.  He also had an ECG in the afternoon.  I was able to hold Josiah again around 6:00 PM.  He was a little more content for some of our cuddle.

The thought is that he had too much going on and had to come off of the BiPAP too much this morning and that threw him off.  In terms of his breathing and saturation levels, there are two hypotheses that I have heard:  1) Josiah just needs more time as he is weak from being on the muscle relaxant for so long, or 2) Josiah's shunt is too big so the blood vessels in his lungs are dilated and possibly obstructing an airway.    

He was off heparin for a while today so I trimmed his nails with clippers.  Tonight he transitioned off heparin to start enoxparin.  He didn't seem to even notice the injection.  

I'm tired and falling asleep while typing.  I left Josiah at 7:00 and arrived "home" in time to say good-night to Isaac via Facetime.  I then pumped milk after which I went to the kitchen and had some chats as well as a tasty dinner.  There was Home to Dinner the last two nights and I was able to enjoy leftovers when I arrived but I don't know who made the food as the signs were gone. 

Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers.  It's definitely harder to watch him struggling than it was when he was on muscle relaxant.  I saw the Christian grandmother again tonight and she gave me a hug and said a prayer.  God provides for all our needs.

Blessings,

Elizabeth