Update Day 9

Day 9 in Hospital 

                                                 Day 7 in PICU         

Cael had a good day yesterday and overnight.  Yesterday morning was a little rough as he had surgery to remove more fluid off of his right lung that had accumulated in a different area than where the chest tube had been placed.  Any surgical procedure while on blood thinners is not without risk, so it was a little scary for mom and dad.  The original plan was to leave a 2nd chest tube behind, however, the Interventional Radiologist was as able to simply drain the fluid and an additional chest tube was not needed.  Praise God!  The doctors said that big prayers were answered!  The chest tube is a necessary, but painful and uncomfortable. Cael was nervous to get a 2nd drain, so we are so very thankful that did not have to happen.  

The remainder of yesterday was just him resting from the procedure.  He had two big walks and played X-box.  We watched two Harry Potter Movies together (which I think was more for me than him).  

Overnight he was able to maintain O2 levels without any supplemental oxygen, which is the first time since he was admitted on the 18th!  This morning was so good.  The flight nurse came by and asked him if he wanted to go check out the helicopter.  It is a bit challenging to manage his chest tube equipment and IV's, but he did it!  It was so good to be outside and talk to new people!  

If the chest x-ray is looking stable or improved from yesterday I believe the plan is that he will be moved to the regular floor and out of ICU!  However, we are all trying to keep expectations in check - one day at a time.  He still getting breathing treatments every 6 hours, daily chest x-rays,  labs drawn multiple times per day, blood thinner injections every 12 hours, IV pain medication, and big time antibiotics. 

Prayers for pain management (though that is getting better, it is a hurdle that has to be jumped to get out of the hospital), lung healing, continued forward progress (the doctors are positive, but continue to be realistic that this process will be a very windy road), and removal of chest tube.

Prayers for whats up ahead.  This kid has big plans...it going to be a lot of hard work, and probably a bumpy road, but I know he can do it!  

#caelstrong 

Love you all...