Steps Ahead and Steps Behind - PICU Update # 4

     The past two days have seen progress and regress. Early yesterday afternoon the medical team decided Ethen was showing all the signs of being ready to proceed with extubating. Removing Ethen's breathing tube was a success. We stayed in the room, and he handled it well. He went on high flow oxygen for the rest of the day and through the night.
     This morning during rounds the medical team noticed on Ethen's most recent X-ray that he was not maintaining good oxygen reserve. His lungs were showing signs of collapse (i.e., there is more opacity in his lungs in the more recent X-ray, which appears to be partly due to alveoli collapsing but also pulmonary secretions). To prevent further collapse the team decided to put Ethen on the BiPAP machine. This works similarly to the ventilator but it does not require intubation—he wears a mask instead. This support helps to keep Ethen's lungs inflated while he fights to recover. Another related development is that one of Ethen's nasal swabs came back positive for a rhinovirus and a metapneumovirus. These viruses are compounding the distress on Ethen's lungs. He's receiving respiratory therapy to help loosen and dislodge the phlegm and mucous secretions of the lungs.
     Please pray that the respiratory treatments are helpful for clearing fluids from Ethen's lower lungs. Pray also that we are vigilant and proactive in getting Ethen what he needs. Pray the Lord quickly rids Ethen's body of the viruses so his lungs can heal and strengthen.