Extubation - PICU Update # 9

     Ethen handled the lower doses of sedative medications well overnight. This morning the team was happy with Ethen's X-ray and his overnight carbon dioxide levels. With other slight improvements and other things unchanged since yesterday, the team wanted to go ahead and extubate Ethen today. Considering how well he had done with the pressure trials, and all other indications pointing to his readiness to remove the tube, we decided to extubate around noon.
     Ethen is doing well so far. He has a high flow oxygen cannula on to supply some pressure to assist him with breathing while his lungs continue to regain strength. His breathing is unlabored and he's maintaining a good respiratory rate. Our main concern at this point is the secretions in Ethen's lungs. Now that the tube is out we cannot suction him as easily. We need him to cough out the excess mucus. We are also trying to get him to talk as much as possible to exercise his expiratory muscles.
     Please pray that Ethen gains strength. Pray he can cough and that he will talk to us—even if he yells—so he can clear out all the secretions. Please continue to pray also for the big kids.