When they take kids off the vent, they use the term ‘to see if he can fly.’ It always reminds me of how baby eagles learn to fly. Their parents push them out of the nest and if they don’t manage to fly on their own, the dad sweeps down and catches them on his wings before they hit the ground. I’m not sure if this is where the term came from in the medical community, but it is exactly what happens.
The team removes the breathing tube and then watches, carefully and thoroughly (think frequent CBCs and x-rays) to see if the patient is breathing well. If not, they swoop in and reintubate the patient before he becomes critical.
Ryan’s flight test started Wednesday around 2 p.m. His CO2 levels started out in the high 60s and low 70s (which means he was not expelling enough carbon on his exhale), but started to come down as the night wore on. This morning they are in the 40s which is acceptable.
On his x-ray his right lung was hazy, but they’ve seen him this fuzzy before while on the vent, so they decided to reevaluate with this morning’s x-ray. After getting frequent chest physical therapy from the night nurse, Ryan’s right lung is looking a little better. The upper portion is clear but the lower portion is still wet. They will continue to work on his pulmonary toilet today to see if they can clear up his right side (pulmonary = lungs, toilet = place where c.r.a.p. is; as a side note, when you spell out a word in your blog, it still looks like you are saying it. 😉 ).
Here is a picture I took when they first extubated him. It didn’t capture how anxious his little eyes looked as he was fully aware he was suddenly on his own. After a few hours, he calmed down a bit…
Here is Ryan breathing on his own. You can also see what his heart looks like under his new skin covering. The black is scab left over from surgery.
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (19)
A.W.E.S.O.M.E….;) He is doing so great, Leighann! He looks kindof excited to me to be free of another tube! I really think he looks so adorable…I love when u put new pics and videos on…thanks for sharing! Love ya, Richelle
Awww I love how he responds to your voice as much as he can..
How exciting!
He is so precious. I am so proud of him that he is a fighter and a trooper. Why does his lung have stuff in it? Is it normal??
We continue to pray for Ryan. Love you all.
Bless his little baby heart! I love how his little hand waves in the air 🙂 He’ll be home before you know it. He’s one step closer!
Have a wonderful fall day!
Carole
What a great big step forward!!!! Maddie’s joining him in CICU next Friday (surgery) would love to meet you and your beautiful baby if you would allow us the honor!
Kirsten, Brent & Madeleine
Awe He is looking beautiful! 🙂 So glad to hear this! 🙂 Will continue to pray 🙂
OK, I must be WAY too much of a PICU nurse, but as soon as I saw the title of this post in my reader, before I clicked through to read it, I turned to my husband and said “Hey, Baby Ryan got extubated and he’s doing great!” Here’s to answered prayers!
He is so sweet…I love him!!! Still praying 🙂
What a gorgeous baby, and he really does come across as such a courageous child. We will be praying for things to continue to go well/improve.
Way to go Ryan!
This post made me think about Isaiah 40:31. Praying for Ryan’s continued recovery.
Oh how I loved seeing the video of Ryan. Bless that sweet little guy! What a fight he has been through. But he looks good!
I loved hearing your sweet voice speaking to him in such a loving and gentle manner. I loved seeing him move and seeing his hands open and his fingers wiggle. I loved watching him look at you.
I am singing Hallelujah!
Continued prayers!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I am crying right now because I am so happy for you and your little man. What a fighter! Praise the Lord for this tremendous blessing. I will be praying for continued improvement in his lungs. Have you gotten to hold him yet???
That a boy, Ryan! Yipee!
-Brent and Julie
Way to go Ryan!!!!!
Praise GOD!!
Awesome! Praise God! 🙂
MH
I’ve never left a comment before (I found your blog from someone else’s..can’t remember whose). Anyway, wow, what a beautiful answer to prayer! He is such a darling little boy. I will continue to uplift your family in prayer.