Pressure Support Trials - PICU Update # 8

     The past two days have gone well for Ethen. He has been resting and regaining strength and making steady progress toward extubation. Yesterday and today we put Ethen through some pressure support trials to see how he handles breathing on his own. (For anyone curious, basically, a pressure support trial mimics breathing conditions that Ethen would face upon extubation by adjusting inspiratory and expiratory pressure settings on the ventilator.) Ethen did really well with these. During the most recent one, which we did for three hours this afternoon, Ethen's oxygen and carbon dioxide percentages did not change at all during the trial—meaning he's sustaining good blood gas levels.
     Other adjustments made today include weaning Ethen from his sedatives and removing his catheter. To counteract any drug withdrawal symptoms we replaced the sedatives with Ativan to relieve any anxiety Ethen feels and Methadone to reduce other withdrawal feelings. In time we will also have to wean him from these medications. Another ongoing matter has been the blood in Ethen's urine (hematuria). We believe the bloody issue has been caused by the catheter; however, we also stopped Accutane because, although it may not cause the bleeding, it may prolong urethritis or cystitis. Another related adjustment has been to decrease Ethen's diuretics. Pray the Lord will heal the hematuria.
     Please continue to pray for Ethen's total recovery. The biggest concern now is the secretions in Ethen's lungs. Though the secretions are thin and easily suctioned, we want to have a plan in place to help Ethen overcome these since his lungs have been weakened over the past two weeks. Please pray as well for our big kids and family who is caring for them.