Glenn Update #8: AKA, Intubation Update #1

Ayden continues to make the doctors and nurses do a lot of work.  They are trying, almost in vain, to keep him sedated.  He has proven to be quite adept at fighting through the sedatives he is being given.  Several times, the amount of his drips have been increased, yet he is still, from time to time, able to stir enough to discover the breathing tube, get mad, and drop his sats.

In the meantime, everyone is working to cross potential problems off the list.  One area of concern was late-emerging surgery complications.  To evaluate this, an ECHO was ordered.  Afterwards, we ran into Dr. Bichell, who told us everything checked out.  So, that's apparently crossed of the list.  At this point, the likely culprit appears to be some fluid buildup in his right lung.  The areas of his lung containing fluid are not able to access the air he is breathing.  This blocks the lung's access to oxygen, which prevents it from passing that oxygen on to his bloodstream.  Less oxygen in the bloodstream means lower sats, which prevents him from being extubated.  This is an issue that can be remedied, so hopefully it's the problem.

I know a large group of the personnel here are working to get this figured out, including doctors and nurses who are not currently directly responsible for his care.  I believe Ayden's extended stay here the first time around, coupled with how well he did initially, how quickly and surprisingly he fell, and how well he bounced back (including going home for two months and staying there), has caused a lot of the medical staff here to have a vested, personal - not to mention professional - interest in his care and well being.  Much comfort can be found there.

At the end of the day, though, there is no group big enough to stop Ayden from getting pissed when he starts to wake up.  Even if they can remove all other impediments to extubation, that one will remain.  At some point, the plug will have to be pulled, so to speak.  One of the doctors is just going to have to say it's time to give it a shot and see what happens.  We aren't there yet.  Soon, hopefully.