Today was a very big day for Charlie. The doctors decided that he was ready to go off of the positive pressure ventilator and graduate to the C-PAP. The C-PAP still helps puts air into Charlie's lungs, but it pushes air into Charlie through his nose instead of a breathing tube down his throat and he has to take breaths on his own. Although the doctors were confident that it was time to give the C-PAP a try, they were not equally confident that Charlie would take to it. However, he's been on it now since 2pm today (Friday) and so far he's had smooth sailing.
Ideally, Charlie would have been switched to CPAP just a few days after birth, but as we all know Charlie likes to do things the hard way.
In preparation for extubation and switching to the C-PAP, Charlie got loaded up with some caffeine (no joke). He is also slowly being weened off of his pain medications and sedation, because without the ventilator Charlie has to remember to breath on his own and the less knocked out he is, the better. Even before he received the caffeine this morning, he was very active and making all sorts of funny faces during his cares. He hates it when the nurses have to clean his feet and he makes a crying face, but otherwise, most of the faces are just him being excited and trying to look around. Every couple minutes he yawns too and the yawns get bigger and bigger as he flails around during cares.
We are completely ecstatic with the progress of the last few days. If things continue to go well with Charlie over the next day or so and he is able to stay on the CPAP, we will finally be able to hold him. There are still worries and many things that could go wrong, but for the moment Charlie is getting back on track after 5 weeks of going the wrong direction. They are still trying to make sure that Charlie completely clears his body of infection, in fact he had his PICC line removed today because it was still showing positive for bacteria. Also, his head has been a little swollen, which could also be from the infection, but nonetheless, it's something the doctors are keeping an eye on.
I'll post again tomorrow with an update of Charlie's C-PAP progress and some pictures.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Chuckie, Shannon & Charlie!
Posts
6 comments:
I am proud of Charlie - I have a CPAP due to sleep apnea, and I can't STAND wearing it. So good for your little man that he is being such a good sport, of course, he is graduating from a ventilator, so to him it probably feels like total freedom - sweet little guy that he is.
It is so wonderful to hear these progress reports after weeks of constant setbacks. I know God has had a lot of urgent prayers for Charlie (and you two, too) directed toward Him. All the praise to God for allowing Charlie to progress like this!
When you get to hold him, give him a kiss for me.
Love, Elke (JoAnne's mom)
This is such encouraging news. Thank you for your continued updates. It is great to see God answer prayers.
Can not wait to see the pictures of you holding Charlie! They are my most prized pictures of the NICU experience.
You have yourselves a FIGHTER!!!!
Christine Perin
Go Charlie GO!!! Yay! I cant wait to see a pic of you holding that little Charlie. I think we will all shed tears of joy!
xoxo~ The Hoags
Wow! What an answer to so many prayers! I am so thankful to hear about all the incredible progress that Charlie has been making and I will continue to pray that his body will fight off the infection. Thanks for the updates.
Jenn Mellentine
We are so very excited about Charlies progress!
What a blessing- to be able to hold him! Such great news! Thanks for sharing!
Dearest Charlie Duff -
You are strong and wise beyond your years. We love you dearly and think of you often in your strive to exist in this world. Romeo talks about you playing with his newest sister, Ava. All the kids at your cousin Ethan daycare look forward to hearing your story and seeing your pictures.
With all our loving thoughts,
Zane and kids. :)
Post a Comment