Caili has continued to do well--so well the doctors had been talking this week about the possibility of extubating (removing the ventilation tube currently down her throat) her today or tomorrow and instead using a more mild form of ventilation, called CPAP. A CPAP uses prongs in her nose to provide ventilation support, rather than a tube down her throat. While it is still a form of ventilation, it's less invasive, more comfortable for Cailin, and bears less of a risk of infection. However, with the CPAP, Cailin will have to work harder to breathe as this modaility of ventilation only supports her as she breathes. It doesn't provide any breaths for her like the typical method of intubation. So, bottom line is that with a CPAP, Cailin must initiate each of her breaths on her own. Once she does breathe, the CPAP provides her with some extra support, but the majority of the effort is hers...a big step for our little Caili.
In addition to the progress with her lungs, she has also been telling us she feels better in other ways. Over the last few days, Cailin seems to have become a lot "fiestier". She's been awake alot more, looking around, communicating with the nurses (and warming alot of hearts I might add) and grabbing onto anything she can --our fingers, a rolled up gauze pad her nurses made for her, the tape holding her intubation tube and...the tube itself.
Well, maybe you see where this is going...last night Caili decided she didn't want to wait any longer for her CPAP and she took matters into her own hands and extubated herself. Since the doctors had been discussing the possibility of moving to CPAP anyway, they figured they would give it a try. And, we are thrilled to report as of 7AM this morning...it's working!
Again, Cailin has alot of work ahead of her and the doctors say that the next 48 hours will show whether she can handle it. It's great news that she has made it this far but they warn us that little ones some times start out OK but then get tired...
Please keep little Cailin in your thoughts today as she pushes through this next hurdle.
4 comments:
Hi Lauren and Tim, Glad to hear that Cailin has been extubated, I'm keeping in her in my thoughts today and saying extra special prayers that the next 48 hrs go well. Keep up the good work, I'm so happy for all of you! Remember what nurse told me, these babies are stronger than they look! I remember when they had to insert a central line in my daughter when she was 1 week old, they needed FOUR people to hold her down! Talk about tough! Hang tough!
Love,
Ancona
Ohhhh, the littel darling is extubing herself!! So smart, outwitting even the doctors! She knew she was ready!
Best wishes, you are all in my prayers!
Maura
Love the fiestiness. Go Cailin Go!
Michael
Guys that is so great we will send lots of prayer! No TPN, Vent maybe she will get that bottle next!
Keep on fighting
Leah!
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