8/10/06 (12:24 pm) - Taylor is 1 week old today. We celebrated by holding her of a couple of hours this morning. Tabitha almost missed it, but snuck into the room about 12:20 and sang her Happy Birthday. Taylor celebrated by getting her first dose of steroid medication through her food IV (good thing she isn't in the major leagues). They are going to make a second attempt at removing the ventilator tomorrow morning and the steroid medication will help reduce any swelling in her airway after the tube is removed. Her morphine levels are dropping back down to pre-surgery levels and her ventilator settings are minimal as the prepare to remove it. They did a trial run for an hour this morning; turning off the ventilator while it was still in and she did just fine. Yesterday and today she has seemed pretty comfortable, content, and in a lot less pain most of the time. They are also talking about removing the drain tube from her chest tomorrow as well. The drain tube is probably what is causing her the most uncomfort at this time. Starting feedings through a feeding tube might be beginning in the next day or two assuming the ventilator removal is successful. All these good things and they seem to be coming pretty quick. With all these big steps please be in prayer that:
- Her airway doesn't swell when the ventilator is removed
- That her lungs would be "dry" and she would be able to breathe easily
- That she would not be in pain so that she will be able to take deep breaths
- That she would not be too drugged to not want to breathe deeply
- That she would be calm and and relaxed with the procedure so that she doesn't lose her breath crying
- All those can be summed up with prayer for "a successful ventilator removal"
Also pray that the removal of the chest drain tube would go smoothly and she would not need more pain medication (that could complicate her breathing on her own). Finally, pray for us during this time leading up to and during the procedure. It was pretty stressful and fearful last time as she was removed from the ventilator and struggled. Give us strength and peace as we take this next step.
- Her airway doesn't swell when the ventilator is removed
- That her lungs would be "dry" and she would be able to breathe easily
- That she would not be in pain so that she will be able to take deep breaths
- That she would not be too drugged to not want to breathe deeply
- That she would be calm and and relaxed with the procedure so that she doesn't lose her breath crying
- All those can be summed up with prayer for "a successful ventilator removal"
Also pray that the removal of the chest drain tube would go smoothly and she would not need more pain medication (that could complicate her breathing on her own). Finally, pray for us during this time leading up to and during the procedure. It was pretty stressful and fearful last time as she was removed from the ventilator and struggled. Give us strength and peace as we take this next step.
Comments
You Go Girl!!
"I lift my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." ~Psalm 121:1,2
We can't wait to meet baby Taylor!
Love G Grandpa & G Grandma Smith
Congratulations on the birth of Taylor! All of this sounds so scary that all we can do is pray for the three of you and hope for a quick recovery. The pictures are great and this blog thing, though cumbersome, is a nice way to get the news out. Thank you for this info and know we are praying for you guys.
Yours Truly
Tony & Becky
P.S. 32 hours of labor, poor Tabitha, that must have been terrible. -Becky