Brendan has been really rocking the boat today, just like they told us he would. We knew that the days following surgery were going to be tense and difficult, but I would say that we were much more stressed today watching them manage his situation than we were yesterday waiting for him.

But our anxiety aside, we focus on the positives. Brendan has (with lots of help!) met every goal they had for him after surgery. They turned off the paralytics this morning and allowed him to wake up. The first thing to move on Brendan was a little hand that reached up to grab the breathing tube. They gave him his beanie lion to keep his arms propped properly and to distract the fingers!
Brendan Recovery 1

The moment that he was recovered enough that he was opening his eyes to make real eye contact with me, they moved to extubate. The breathing tube came out at 2:10PM and he went on a regular high flow cannula. This picture is right before extubation.
Brendan Recovery 2

Unfortunately, he only lasted on the high flow for a few hours. He had several frightening episodes of desaturation and the doctors were kept on their toes all day tweaking medications to stabilize him. They had to switch him to the nasal cpap with a little pressure support.
Brendan Recovery 3

Brendan had a total fit of fury when the respiratory tech tried to put a chin strap on to keep his mouth closed. So to keep the cpap working properly, they gave him his pacifier and used a beanie baby train to keep it in place. And check out that IV manifold!
Brendan Recovery 4

So goals for today were to get extubated and stay off the ventilator. CHECK! Tonight as I type, his condition is rough, he is on maximum support and just maintaining his numbers properly but he succeeded. Go little Brendan!!

In sharp contrast, Trevor had a busy day of ultra fun, including a quick walk outside!