Today Mason "sprinted" on his vent. This is a term the docs use for a trial where Mason does all of the work himself. He initiates each breath and only recieves minimal pressure support from the vent (to overcome the tubing, etc.). He sprinted for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour this evening. He did great both times. The docs took a blood gas after each sprint and they both looked good. The docs will continue to sprint Mason on his vent multiple times over the next couple of days to help him build stamina to breathe on his own. When they feel he is ready, he will be extubated (tube and vent removed). When this happens Mason will receive nasal cannulas to give him a little extra boost of oxygen and pressure.
Mason's feeds are not going quite as well as his vent progress. He vomited a couple of times in the last 24 hours so the docs slowed down his feeds and will only increase them by 1cc per hour until he reaches his goal of 18cc's per hour. Tonight Mason is at 6cc's per hour. He will sometimes gag on his vent tube and we think this might be causing him to vomit. Hopefully once he is off the vent the feeding situation will improve. The NJ feeding tube he received has really helped him. Mason is also starting to poop multiple times a day :) Travis and I learned firsthand what tar poop was!
Here are a couple pictures of Mason during his sprint this morning.....
2 comments:
Hi Mason,
Looking good young man.
The breathing issue news is great. As to the feeding, they probably put broccoli in the tube, and everyone knows little kids don't like broccoli.
Maybe if they switch to chocolate ice cream and peanut butter things will go a little better.
Prayers of continued progress to you and your docs.
Love to the family,
An Alcona Friend
I can't tell you how happy we are to hear how awsome he is doing on his sprints! Before you know it he will be celebrating his "Independance Day"!! We miss you guys! Can't wait to see Mason with a few less accesories!
The Bakers
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