So today we had a specialized doctor come in to take a look at Landon and his little lungs. We are trying to get him off of the ventilator as soon as possible but really want to set him up for success so we are trying everything to do that. A pulmonologist came in today to take a deeper look at Landon's lungs. They put a scope down his breathing tube (hence the title, pretty clever right?!?!) :) It was a little unsettling because any procedure can have complications but Landon did well. They are going to test some of the fluid they got from his lungs to make sure there is no infection but so far we are looking alright.
After the procedure his oxygen levels went up to 78% (not good but expected after the procedure) but the nurse he had today was able to bring him back down to 29% in just a few hours. He has not been in the 20's on his oxygen levels in weeks. I think the steroids are really helping him and hopefully they were able to clean the junk out of his lungs during the bronchial scope. Our tentative plan now is the extubate (pull his breathing tube out) Friday-ish depending on how Landon does in the next 24 - 48 hours. I am going to ask for prayers for Landon of course but also, selfishly for me. I have to work not only Friday but for the next four days after that and hate that I can't be there for him during this huge transition. I know in my head that he will be fine but I am feeling very torn and sad that I will not be there for him during all of this. Being a mom is a lot tougher than I thought. Making decisions like this is so difficult and I had no idea. You feel guilty as a mom for not being there for your little baby when they need you but you feel bad as a wife (at least I do) for not working and contributing financially when we need it so badly. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of making choices like this...
Jason and I have felt so blessed though and can't begin to praise God enough for all he has done. We were told yesterday that Landon's airways look perfect, that you would have no idea that he has been intubated (tube down his airway) for 8 weeks. Typically babies get abrasions and things from the irritation of the tube but to quote the NP (Nurse Practitioner) "he has the airway of a newborn." That is not our doing. Landon has been through a lot and has had multiple breathing tubes inserted in this journey, it is a miracle that his airways look the way they do. It is a miracle that he is still alive. It is a miracle that he is taking full feedings, doesn't need an IV for fluids, that his eyes so far show no signs of disease, that he hasn't gotten an infection and the list could go on and on. Our prayers have been answered and although we are not completely out of the woods I truly believe that God is using Landon to show his faithfulness and power. Please keep praying for Landon, praising God for what he has done and thanking him for the doctors and nurses we have been blessed with. The care we have gotten from them has been incredible. They are so great with Landon but also have made the time to explain everything to us, let us be with Landon as much as possible, make us laugh, let us cry. The NICU staff is fantastic and has made this journey much easier, I don't know how we would do it with anyone else.
Thank you ALL for everything, friends, family, and NICU staff!
Much Love,
Jason and Kristin
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