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!
Good morning from the East Coast! Whew!! Go Brendan!! In no time, you will be home picking on your absolutely handsome, adorable brother!! Tiffanie, Bill, Gramma and all the families..bless you all!! Prayers still coming, lots of love and many, many hugs. 🙂
Go Brendan! and Team Brendan, too!! Lots of people sending lots of prayers and cyber hugs to all.
He’s such a tough little man! So glad he seems to be making progress in his recovery. Hope his saturation numbers stabilize and he begins to move down the recovery path quickly. I know you dont view yourselves as amazing parents because you are doing what you have to do to handle the situation but trust me…you are. There is nothing more important that having a parent be totally involved and committed to understanding procedures, asking the right questions and
giving all the support you guys are plus the extra. Hugs to you and Bill! On a lighter note, totally love Trevors socks! Hang in there and know Brendan has a huge support system and so do you. Love ya all!
Brendan, you are so amazing. You have encountered more than even a grown up person has, and you have shown us that you are a very strong young little guy. Keep up the great fight. It’s not over yet but you are on the right path that will lead you home to your family. Soon you will be there with your side kick Trevor and showing us even more how amazing you and your brother are. Tiffanie and Bill, you both are just as amazing. I wish I could carry a little of what you are going through to help you, even if its just for a moment. My prayers and hugs for Brendan and you both are here for you always along this journey you are taking. I also have hugs and prayers for little Trevor too. We tend to forget that he to has come a long since coming into this world and he to has shown us how amazing he is. Trevor you are so cute and how much you have grown is incredible. I love those cheeks and those beautiful blue eyes. I was so happy to finally be able to hold you and see in person the other day at work. Thank you to you and your mom for surprising that day. We read, talk, and send our prayers to all of daily. Your parents blog has helped us keep an eye on you both and the milestones you and Brendan are making. Always in my heart and prayers!
That is incredible! Not only is Brendan the strongest little guy I ever heard of, but so are you! Those doctor’s are amazing. So must be the nurses. We haven’t told this but not only do you have your family and their churches praying for him, our church is also. Everybody knows him in my Women’s Bible Study. And I know that our Pastor and his beautiful wife are praying for you all daily. God has touched these Doctors so they know just what to do. We continue to pray that you be given a calmness to handle all of this. You guys are amazing. Thankyou once again for the update, I think I checked about 20 times yesterday 3/13/12. You have been on our mind every minute. It’s good to see Brendan with his eyes open. It’s so hard to imagine what is going through his little head. He’s so lucky to have you and Bill and his Mommy and Daddy. Like everyone else, we can’t wait for him to be home with his family. God Bless. Love our Family.