Day 11 - ICU, 7pm

Transitioned to Trickle Feedings via NG Tube

   Bob's still receiving the TPN IV nutrients in his Central Line. But now they've added the trickle feedings to begin working his digestive system. A "vanilla shake" is trickled into his stomach via a pump that sends it through his NG tube. It is administered at 15ml per hour...that's only one tablespoon each hour.

 

Extubated!

    This morning's chest Xray looked remarkably better. Because the fluid was greatly diminished, they tried a breathing trial this morning, but Bob was unable to breathe well enough on his own. So they changed the vent from forced air to only pressure support and let it assist his own spontaneous breathing for six hours, and by this afternoon, Bob passed the second trial and was finally able to have the ventilator tube removed!
    He's still on nasal cannula oxygen, but extubation was a huge step towards advancing him to the next steps in his care. All pain meds are now being given through his NG tube, not his IV, so he will have longer periods of pain relief and hopefully less drowsiness and more lucidity.

I'll leave you with this:

(please pardon my vertical video - 

I'm running low on sleep and was quite overcome with emotion)