Getting Stronger

We woke up throughout the night calling the CTU wondering how Lincoln was doing. Every time we called they were lowering the vent settings and he was tolerating it! When we got to the hospital this morning Lincoln was on "pressure support." Basically this means that they weaned the ventilator down to the point that it was no longer giving him a breathing rate...he was initiating every breath! The vent is now just supporting him by giving him a little boost in each breath. The Dr's gave the analogy of blowing up a balloon...the first breath to get the balloon started is tough, but once it's started you can blow up the rest much easier. In essence, after Lincoln initiates the breath, the vent helps him by giving that little boost and then he finishes the rest of the breath. Today they have been giving him pressure support for a few hours and then letting him rest a bit. They will repeat this process throughout the day and into the night getting him stronger. Tomorrow they will see if he can do the whole thing on his own and decide to extubate if he is ready. The last 24 hrs have been awesome to see how he has been handling their aggressive weaning, considering the vent was helping him at a rate of 30 breaths per min and 24 hrs later, he is doing it...he has been doing great! Now a few prayer requests: His breathing rate is very fast now that he is on his own. They are not sure if that is due to pain, having to breath through a small tube, medication or maybe because of high pulmonary pressure due to the band not being tight enough. Pray that it is the prior and that the band is sufficient. Pray that his breathing slows to a more normal rate. Continue to pray for the Chylothorax to heal and dry up as it has been draining still. Pray for no infections due to the chest tubes being in him for at least 2 more weeks. Pray for stronger lungs. Always pray for better cardiac function and blood pressure. We can't wait to tell you what the next 24 hr's has in store...we will talk to you soon! J&K