Extubated!!

The last few days have just been recovery for Gibson.  He has had some ups and downs along the way but we’re hopeful that his intestines will start to work after being manipulated so much in surgery.  We haven’t started feeds just yet. Doctors are mainly waiting for his insides to heal and wake up before we talk about starting him on feeds.  He’s still on a fair amount of morphine since he had a very invasive surgery a few days ago. Narcotics slow down the gut and the movement (peristalsis) of the intestine is still asleep and maybe paralyzed for some time which they call an ileus. There is still a fair amount of bile getting backed up into stomach. This is the main indicator of when Gibson’s bowels are starting to move stuff through.  Once his stomach fluid starts to clear up, there is less coming up from his Anderson tube from suction, and possibly have a bowel movement or two, they will probably start giving milk through a feeding tube. He does have bowel sounds so we’re continuing to be optimistic and to be patient.

Biggest event is Gibson was extubated today!  They pulled his breathing tube out and put him on a C-pap Nasal canula.  This blows a frequency of air into his nose to help with pressures in his lungs to help keep them expanded. This is what the ventilator did for him but without the little breaths to help him out.  It’s a very awkward feeling to have air blow into his nose and out through his mouth when it’s supposed to go into his lungs.  He is doing ok with it; he’s just very agitated and touchy.  This is better than having a tube down his throat to breath but it is just temporary till he gets stronger and can hold a lower pressure at lower oxygen setting while having high oxygen saturation.  Change is very hard and scary but needed.  Gibson was doing so well with his breathing tube and we were very worried about changing his breathing system, but there is no progression without change here in the hospital. Gibson just needs to learn to breath and relax on this new system.  He is very strong and is a fighter so we are confident that he’ll keep progressing and moving towards going home.

Before Extubation



First time seeing his face without tape or tubes. Cutie Pie!




He didn't have any support for about 5 minutes and he did so good!




Checkin out his RT. Trying to figure out what she's going to do to him.





Smiling with dad!



Mom saw his first smile yesterday and finally got one with the camera. CUTE!



Not really sure if he's liking this new thing. The air that is blowing into his nose comes out his mouth and makes all his spit bubble up.  He likes playing with his bubbles.




Nasal mask instead of nasal prongs.  He prefers this one.




That can't be comfortable



His new set up.

We are so appreciative for all the thoughts and prayers from individuals, church groups, prayer groups and families across the country!  We are so amazed at the love and support from people we have never met and from friends back home.  Your thoughts and prayers are very much felt here at Primary Children’s! THANK YOU!!