Arterial Line

Last night I mentioned that the Intensivist placed an arterial line last night. This is a special IV in the arm that goes into an artery instead of the vein. He was having trouble on the ventilator. His breathing was labored, his oxygen levels were low, and he was requiring more breaths and pressure to give the breaths. The doctors goal is to prevent harm to his lungs and he was getting in a spot where damage could have started to happen.

So they put in the arterial line, measured his arterial blood gases to see what his oxygenation was like. They then started nitric oxide which is a gas that helps improve the delivery of oxygen to the lungs. After that his numbers improved and he rested more comfortably.

His X-ray this morning is still unchanged. The intensivist came in this morning and calmed me down! He said Logan is very sick but he is also fighting a nasty virus. He said we aren't doing anything out of the norm in a situation like this. He said there will be setbacks but that they will treat them as they come. He said this is definitely going to take some time. I feel better knowing that they treated his symptoms quickly and that he rests more comfortably. 

Today will be much of the same. Thank you to all the wonderful visitors yesterday. Patti and Joy, your visit meant so much! Mom, Dad, you guys are the best support a daughter could ask for! Sarah and Corey, thanks for dinner. Because Joel went home early I did a little stress eating at about midnight and had the second plate! Joe, you are always a calming friend to be in the prescence of. My thank you's could go for days! As always I will keep the posts coming.