Hallelujah!

Well, nobody expected this...

TJ's white blood cell count is at 18,000 - getting closer to normal. His hemoglobin is a little low, so they are going to be giving him 2 units of red blood cells (I understand this is a relatively common procedure and will just help him feel better). His temperature is also normal without tylenol or a cooling jacket (Mary Ann suggested it was a good time to turn the cooling jacket off when his temp hit 97.9). He is also off all blood pressure medication, and the doctor says his chest xray is clearing. Right now he is slowly beginning to wake up and open his eyes, but he is not completely aware yet.

The wean from the vent is going *very* well. The peep is at 5 (less pressure than he gets through his CPap at home to sleep) and his oxygen sats are holding steady. The nurse commented that if he were more awake, he would be doing well enough to extubate (which just doesn't ever happen on the first wean). This process is exhausting for TJ, as his lungs work to breathe for themselves for the first time in almost two weeks. They will need to turn the vent back on later when he gets tired, but will continue with future weaning as he continues to wake up.

Our prayer requests for the rest of the day:

• That future weaning also goes well.
  
• That TJ's anxiety stays down as he wakes up (Mary Ann wants you to understand that the anxiety comes from waking up and feeling a garden hose down your throat).
  
• Praise for amazing healing!