Sunday Update

God continues to do amazing things for us! Ryan was breathing on his own for the first time today in 3 weeks. He used what is called a trach mask. It is basically an oxygen mask that attaches to the front of Ryan’s trach and gives him oxygen that way (like his oxygen at home). He was able to do that for 8 minutes two different times today. They were able to try him on the trach mask after he passed his vent weaning this morning…he amazed the doctors yet again! (He also did 15 minutes on the vent where he did FLO-BI which is getting the oxygen through the vent with a PEEP of 5.0) Basically it means he was off the ventilator for about 33 minutes! YEAH! PRAISE GOD!

Ryan’s spirits are really high today; so are mine for that matter. I am sure that it gave Ryan a boost to realize that he could still breathe on his own – I know that I was really excited and grinning from ear to ear!

We were both able to get some sleep last night and he said that he is comfortable with me sleeping at the hotel again tonight. I figure we can give it a try and if it doesn’t work then I can try sleeping here again. It is not going to do either of us any good if I don’t get any sleep.

He does have a low grade fever today, but all of the cultures that they took yesterday are still normal. Please continue to pray that Ryan does not develop any new infections while staying in the ICU.

Prayer Requests:
That Ryan will not get any other types of infections. This becomes a huge concern the longer that someone stays in the ICU.
That Ryan’s spirits will stay high!
That his lungs and his body will continue to gain strength – it is a HUGE workout for him to breathe on his own.
That Ryan’s anxiety will remain down and that we will both be able to get a good night of sleep.

Ryan and I having a great day together!

Ryan and his Dad. Ryan breathing on his own for the 1st time without the vent (that is his trach mask) Praise God!