Finally! More Progress...

Matthew is continuing to show signs of progress. They've continued weaning the ventilator. He's down to a ventilator respiratory rate of 12 and he's back on 21% oxygen (room air equivalent). He's handling it all very well. He's had no issues with his blood acid level for almost 24 hours, his saturation levels are solid and he's maintaining his own respiratory rate at 38. The next step is to reduce the ventilator to a respiratory rate of 10 and then if he's still going strong they may remove the ventilator altogether later this afternoon.

They are warning us that more often than not when they remove the ventilator babies will do well for 24 hours and then tire out from doing all of the breathing on their own, which he hasn't done for about 9 days. If he tires they will put the ventilator back in for 24 hours to give him a rest and then try again.

There is still concern about the right lung although the doctors have diagnosed it as a mucus build up issue (I don't remember the exact name) and not an issue with the lung tissue itself. This is good. They're planning to do more Pulmonary Toileting (that's a new one for me) which just means frequent turning, pats on his back to break up the mucus and suctioning of the lung.

They are now so confident in his kidney function (with the continued use of diuretics) that they have taken his catheter out. They will now start weighing his diapers to ensure his kidneys are still functioning but they won't need to watch it as closely. They told us yesterday that he will be on diuretics at least until the 2nd surgery which will be between 4-6 months of age.

He's also getting some of Mom's milk through a feeding tube again. He's handling it well and their starting to hear bowel sounds which is a good sign.

Go Matthew!