Today was a day of massive stress and setbacks for Brendan. Over the last few days, he has been showing signs of troubles, and it all came together to cause him to fall apart today.
It started very early this morning with his high heart rate, rapid breathing and discomfort/agitation, then he could not maintain his oxygen saturation. They had to use a “muscle relaxant” which is actually a paralytic to totally freeze him so he was not able to fight against the ventilator with his rapid breathing.
That seemed to work for him most of the morning. Then they had to switch him off of the home vent machine and put him back on the hospital servo.
But early this afternoon, even in his paralyzed state, his sats started falling. The nurse had to bag him manually to keep him from dropping fast. Before I could blink, Brendan’s room was full of nurses, respiratory therapists, and doctors all struggling to do something to pull him out of his respiratory failure. His pulmonologist came right away.
Seeing a little panic on the doctor’s face while he was bagging gave me a horrible chill and I had to sit down. I was truly scared for Brendan, and had no idea why he was suddenly deteriorating rapidly before my eyes. At one point his saturations dropped in to the 30’s. Bill left work and joined me at the hospital as fast as he could.
Tuning the ventilator settings and keeping Brendan paralyzed finally brought him up to stable numbers. Blood, urine, and mucus cultures were collected to determine if there is an infection at play here causing the sudden lung issues.
Major setbacks include:
1 – Heavy sedation is once again required to keep him breathing safely
2 – Nitric Oxide has been added again and will need to be weaned
3 – The hospital level ventilator is required again
4 – His PICC line is full of IV medications again
I only took one picture right when I got there this morning, he was already frozen
He is stable for now, but the more he wakes up, the worse his numbers look.
Trevor had a better day with Gramma. I am very fortunate that I know Trevor is safe and being given love in abundance so I can be at the hospital on days of crisis like this. Thank you very much, Mom!
I miss him though. He is very good at making me smile with his cuteness.
Hopefully tomorrow will get us moving in the right direction again. Needless to say, Brendan will not be leaving the ICU for a while.
Good Morning from the East Coast! Tiffanie, Bill, and Brendan, I am just trying to gather my thoughts after reading your blog. What a frightening day! My prayer team is going on full alert. May today bring a more restful and recouperative day for Brendan. You all are continually in our thoughts! Sending tons of love and super, nurturing, loving hugs to each and everyone of you! 🙂
So sorry to read about yesterday’s happenings. Continued prayers and good thoughts for all.
I would do ANYTHING to make Brendan well. He deserves to have a life filled with bubble baths and giggles, just like Trevor. I am so grateful to be able to be here, and only wish there was more I could do. The caring for Trevor is the easy part, and gives me such joy.
Brendan is so very fortunate to have you, Tiffanie. You are doing an amazing job of being there for him, making sure he is getting the best care at the hospital, caring for his needs by learning to take care of his various conditions personally, loving him, talking to him, comforting him, and never failing to believe that he will be home someday and have everything a little boy could ever want to be healthy and happy. I can’t express how proud I am of you and your devotion to that sweet baby. If love wil make him well, he will be fine.
Bill, you are a good dad. I know it is hard at this point. One day the boys will be able to walk and talk and play. No one could have imagined how this would be in the beginning, you have been there for Tiffanie and the babies. Thank you for taking care of my baby the way you do and the little babies, too.
With all the love and support I can give,
MOM
(Gramma)
I’m very sorry to hear about Brendan’s setbacks. Still, as I think about how far he’s come and everything that he’s been through, I remain optimistic that he’ll make it through all of this, even if it takes longer than we would all like. I hope, Tiffanie and Bill, that even in the midst of the pain and frustration (which I’m sure I can’t even begin to fathom), you retain this optimism as well.
And I’m very excited to see you all next month!
Bless your hearts… my thoughts and prayers are with you. Wish I could do more.
Brendan, my prayers are with you. You will read this blog one day, and you will know, then, how many, many people kept love and hope in their hearts for you.
Trevor, your brother still has some other paths to travel, before he comes home. He will be there. Be patient, there will be mischief to get into, just not at this moment.
Tiffanie, Bill, my admiration for,and unending pride in you both, for enduring these times. Brendan will come home.
Cindy ( Gramma ), Thank You, your presence there, means so much.
There is a reason and a purpose — Brendan will come home, and the mischief will be gotten into, and until that day, my prayers and hopes are with you all.
Love.
Prayers being sent that Brendan starts finding his path to recovery again quickly. Know that you have many family and friends supporting all of you, near and far. Wish I could give you all a hug…Aunt Cindy will have to do it for me.
Love you all!
Dear Brendan, once again your little body is being tested, and once again, with all the prayers being sent your way you will find your way to conquer! You are such a fighter, and thats what we need you to do. Your mommy and daddy are there with you, but know that you have Trevor, Gramma and all of us that love you dearly and are praying extra prayers to help you too. Be strong. Tiffanie and Bill, I can’t imagine what you have been through in the last days. I only know that together you will help each other through this path that has found you and Brendan in. Keep each other close.
We are keeping everyone in our prayers. This kind of day requires an amazing amount of strength from all of you. Brendan is a tough little guy. He will pull through.
I was so sorry to hear about Brendan’s setbacks, I’m so glad he is doing better. Every time I see him smile my heart just melts. I think your boys have the most beautiful smile. I totally agree with your mom you and Bill are such good parents. I’m glad you have your mom to help you she is great. I wish you the best and I will continue to pray for Brendan. God Bless
Your friend Erma