Sitting up in the chair yesterday was a bit too much for him, so they are not going to put him back in the chair to soon. Sitting in the chair requires him to breathe 100% on his own without the support from the ventilator. Previously I had said he was breathing on his own, but the nurse today clarified that he initiated breathing but the ventilator does much of the work after he initiates each breath.
He is also receiving 60% of oxygen via the vent - in order to maintain the oxygen level in his blood. He's had some issues with mucus in his lungs (which is common) because he isn't able to take a full breath (like deep) and his lungs create the mucus.
They took a Lung x ray today in order to keep an eye on the mucus - i don't have the results yet.
He is not able to regulate his body temperature, heart rate, or breathing yet - his heart rate and breathing rate are much faster than typical heart rate / breath rate.
He's being fed through the feeding tube every hour.
He is opening his eyes, lifting his eyebrows, fluttering his eyelashes but they do not believe he is intentionally opening his eyes to look at anything in particular, or that he can see. At 4:00 they did another neurological check and he is only responding to pain, not commands.
I'm sorry, Cathi! This is the frustrating part: 3 steps forward, 23 steps back. I'll continue to pray, luv!
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to be "2" steps back, not 23, lol! Although I am sure it can feel that way sometimes!!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. I figured!!
DeleteCurious to know if some of Blair's (former) teachers can come and visit anytime in the coming weeks. If so, please email me (jmiller@cvschools.org) when that's a possibility. He's in our collective thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteYes. Visiting hours are until 9:00 pm on this floor. He's in room H2034
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