New to this blog stuff.

Dr. Lattimer visits on July 14th as new doc for the week. He states the right lung is remarkable at 100% improvement with left lung at 90% with minimal mucous and/or lung collapse. Justin's breathing is much improved and that he wasn't considering a traecheostomy (spelling??) anymore. He said x-rays and Justin's breathing were so improved they would be turning off the ventilator and let him start breathing on his own. Justin was EXCITED!! He was active and responsive, mouthing words (since some of us can't get the hand gestures down and he thinks the "20 questions game" doesn't work so well, lol---sometimes we get his actions right off then other times we run out of asking what he's trying to say and he thinks we are 'stupid'--ha ha). He wants the tubing out of his mouth so bad that he's trying to mouth words around the tubing, and is actually very good at it sometimes.

By nighttime he's noticeably tired but still responsive and even runs his cousin Brandi out of the room for mentioning she thought her head felt like she might be getting a sinus infection. He clearly wanted everyone out that might cause a set back and kept all visitors in laughter. Clearly he shows he's tired and groggy so it is best to let him rest. Nurses reiterate they will keep a watchful eye on him and monitor breathing to determine removal of his ventilator.

July 15, rough night once again hits. Justin is breathing on his own, however, his O2 has to go back to 100% after having been at 65%. He's depressed now with slight fever which continues to increase to 102, then 103 and ultimately reached 105 again with blood pressure dropping to 99/34, nurses say that's fine but mama disagrees. Lungs are rattling again and he's very drowsy for evening visit. Mama worries about his overnite condition and finds out why the next morning.

We get a July 16th phone call at 6:55 a.m. needing verbal approval to do another bronchioscopy, fever reduced to 102, mild sedation--he doesn't fight this time. Dad & Mom both do the 9:30 visit and find once again remarkable, unexpected--fever down, pulse up, heart rate good (after seeing 110 HR the night before) and he's breathing on his own again. The 'roller-coaster' ride wears you down and truthfully has affected Justin's spirits----one day getting told he will get off the ventilator, the next he's on 100% oxygen with no mention of even a traecheoscopy being considered much less getting the tubes out). Friends and family visit but Justin is clearly down with the recent turn. We talk with Dr. Woodham, express concerns.

July 17th, Justin continues to breathe on his own, blood pressue good, SPO2 at 95% (95-100 is great), fever below 101 continuously, spirits down--everything seems to be "whatever", he shows some signs of Justin's personality but very minimal. Traecheostomy is finally agreed upon and ordered but appears will be Monday before will be done, another reason for Justin to believe it won't happen.