Saturday, May 2, 2009

Two steps forward, one step back

Gaines has made tremendous progress in the past couple of days. It was just a few short days ago that he was on the oscillator. He was then moved to a ventilator and then the cpap. He has been on the cpap for ~48 hours.

This afternoon the CO2 in his blood gases was high. He measured at 80...this was extremely high since his previous reading was 58 and the doctors would like to see it below 50. The doctors waited a couple of hours and measured it again and it had fallen to 72. They would have liked to see more progress so the doctors decided to upgrade his cpap to the rate cpap. Basically, a ventilator is used to provide him with breaths through his nose rather than re-intubate him. We are told this is typical of preemies. Many preemies that are on cpap have to go back and forth between the cpap and ventilator until the cpap "sticks". The doctors explained it that Gaines had been breathing hard on his own for two days and needed a little break. Hopefully this will give him the rest he needs and he will be able to do better on the cpap when he is ready.

Hopefully we will have more to report after our visit with Gaines tonight. The nurses will be measuring his blood gases again at 8:00. We pray that they will be better and his little body is getting the rest it needs.

Beau

5 comments:

Ruthie said...

praying for better blood gases and for continued strength for all of you!!! Loved the pictures of Gaines from earlier (was that yesterday? I can't remember.) Anyways, I can tell he's a cutie, and he's obviously a strong little boy!

Ruthie

Billy Irvin said...

Beau & Brittany,

We are praying for you guys and Gaines...every step of the way. We pray today that you both feel the promises of Psalm 46..God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Please know your First Baptist Family is praying for you.

Billy Irvin

Melody said...

I'm so glad it's at least two steps forward and only one back! ;) I will keep praying for him! (I have to tell you, it is so stinking cute to hear my kids pray "and God we pray for Baby Gaines")

I can't wait for you guys to see Reed! Now that you're out of the hospital, is it possible for him to stay with you guys now? So you can at least have that distraction and be able to cuddle one of your little guys?

Sarah said...

Praying that the little guy gains strength quickly and can blow down his CO2.

Stephanie said...

Praying that he is resting and his blood gases are coming down!!!