It was a bad night
RESPIRATORY DISTRESS
As I mentioned in the previous post, Ethen developed capillary leak syndrome. With the various diuretic medications we were able to draw off much of the fluid that had seeped into Ethen's lungs. Though this was relatively successful it did not prevent damage to Ethen's lungs. This damage presented in increased need for oxygen and extremely high respiratory and heart rates. The hematology/oncology floor took quick action to get Ethen into more attentive and acute care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We came to the PICU around 10:30 a.m. where Ethen was placed on a BiPAP machine. This was a temporary measure to see if pressurized air would be effective prior to intubating. Shortly after he was stabilized on the BiPAP, we had to go out of the room so the medical team could intubate Ethen. This was terrible. Care has always been good here at Levine's, but with Ethen's declining condition over the course of the morning, leaving the room was awful.
Thankfully the intubation went smoothly on the first attempt. He's now on a ventilator and resting comfortably. He'll be on the ventilator to keep his breathing stable while other measures are taken to dry out Ethen's lungs and counteract his lung inflammation. Please pray that Ethen's lungs can recover quickly. Pray we have wisdom and calm, sober minds.
As I mentioned in the previous post, Ethen developed capillary leak syndrome. With the various diuretic medications we were able to draw off much of the fluid that had seeped into Ethen's lungs. Though this was relatively successful it did not prevent damage to Ethen's lungs. This damage presented in increased need for oxygen and extremely high respiratory and heart rates. The hematology/oncology floor took quick action to get Ethen into more attentive and acute care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We came to the PICU around 10:30 a.m. where Ethen was placed on a BiPAP machine. This was a temporary measure to see if pressurized air would be effective prior to intubating. Shortly after he was stabilized on the BiPAP, we had to go out of the room so the medical team could intubate Ethen. This was terrible. Care has always been good here at Levine's, but with Ethen's declining condition over the course of the morning, leaving the room was awful.
Thankfully the intubation went smoothly on the first attempt. He's now on a ventilator and resting comfortably. He'll be on the ventilator to keep his breathing stable while other measures are taken to dry out Ethen's lungs and counteract his lung inflammation. Please pray that Ethen's lungs can recover quickly. Pray we have wisdom and calm, sober minds.
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