Milagros in the NICU at 5 weeks old

Milagros in the NICU at 5 weeks old

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Ventilator vs. Nasal Cannula

Milagros with her new Nasal Cannula 
The NICU jungle



With Milagros, we've learned to moderate our excitement during any milestone because with CDH and omphalocele babies there are always steps forward and often steps backwards. But today we couldn't help but wear our excitement on our sleeves when Milagros was removed from the ventilator. Since the day Milagros was born she has had a large, invasive, hard plastic tube run from her mouth to the top of her lungs. Milagros clearly hated this tube and her tongue was never able to fully extend out of her mouth because the tube was always blocking it. Today, she hasn't stop spitting her tongue in and out like a lizard and relishing her new found freedom of all of her mouth functions. The doctors, nurses and RTs have inserted a Nasal Cannula which is a supplemental form of oxygen support that is far less invasive and is inserted into her nose. Nurse after nurse came by to celebrate this milestone with Milagros as word quickly spread throughout the NICU. Milagros has a long road ahead, and the doctor was quick to remind us that babies often have a tough time with the transition and are forced to go back on the ventilator. Milagros has been breathing with the support of a ventilator since the day she was born, today at 10am when the vent was removed she took a big gasp, wasn't quite sure what to do and instinctually started breathing, again surpassing the expectation of her doctor. Mom and Dad's motto in the NICU is day by day ! We will pray for Milagros tonight that she be able to handle this big transition

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