Chugging Ahead!

I think of Rudy alot, but for some reason I’ve found myself more fixated on his condition than usual.  I’m glad someone as kind as Nurse Faye was with him today to pleasantly tolerate my check-ins by phone.

There’s good cause for encouragement.  After giving Rudy a couple of days to rest at 16bpm, the team continued the weaning process.  The pressure support is already as low as it needs to be, so this morning they stepped him down to 14bpm and he’s tolerated things fine all day.  Only a few more steps to go (we pray)–the next one should come tomorrow morning and then we’ll see if they want to do some more sprints before extubation.

There was concern about the IV line going into Rudy’s groin as it didn’t seem secure.  After some back and forth over replacement, adjustment, etc. the team decided to remove it today as he really doesn’t currently need anything more than the IV port in his arm right now.  While we’re dealing with that area of the body, the team also removed the Foley catheter so he could just let loose into his diaper like all little boys should.

So this is progress:  while Rudy is still hooked up to a few monitoring lines, other than the breathing and feeding tubes there’s only one line going into his body through one arm.  Nurse Faye says that this means he’ll get to experience something for the first time tonight:  A BUBBLE BATH!!  As Trish is planning to drive down this evening, I requested they wait so that she can join in the fun.

Thanks for your prayers–this week is off to a good start!!!