Breathing Inside the Box

Extubation successful. Whew (heavy sigh of relief). The Care Conference went well. Overall the tone was more hopeful than not. And I miraculously asked questions about very sad possibilities without shedding a tear. The seizure-expert neurologist talked to us more about treatment options, and I got a bit overwhelmed when he mentioned the possibility of brain surgery. It would take more tests to see if it would be helpful in his case and it would be down the road, perhaps, but, whoa. I mean, I was hesitant about a little G-tube surgery, and now there's talk of cutting out portions of my son's brain?!?!

And now for the play-by-play of this evening's action. I am so grateful and relieved that Dexter is breathing on his own as I type. He got over the ventilator hurdle! This is just before extubation. Wow, my boys are cute!

A blur of action as they were actually yanking the tube.And right after, Dexter's getting some blow-by oxygen.
Here's me hovering over Dexter after the extubation team left.

Now don't you feel like you were right there in the PICU with us? I know so many of you were in spirit, sending strength our way through your prayers. As we were eating the dinner that someone brought us at the hospital, gratitude washed over me. It has been a blessing to receive so much service and generousity and thoughtfulness. People ask if they can do anything for us, and I usually can't think of anything, we're doing well, so they push and suggest something they could do to help, and do you know what? It's always just what I didn't know I needed. I'm learning a lot about service here on the receving end. My family and ward members are just so remarkably in tune. This "bearing one anothers burdens" thing is good stuff.

So yes, my little Dexter is still breathing and he's pink and his eyes are even open for the first time today. The Lord heard my pleas and granted my request that Dexter stay with us for at least a little longer. All is well. But I'm still feeling a bit anxious and hypervigilant in my Dexter monitoring. I don't think I'll be able to pull myself away from the hospital tonight.