Two Steps Forward One Step Back

Two days ago Jerry had a really good day, I felt the worst was behind us and he had finally gotten over the hump. Yesterday he took a step back, he had been cleared for eating puree however his secretions were so bad food was put on hold. Jerry struggled all morning to clear his airway of the secretions, he seemed to clear up a little in the afternoon and then began to struggle again. The team of doctors stood outside his room and discussed the game plan. I over heard one of the doctors say lets give him awhile longer to work it out but we need to be prepared to intubate, maybe we should have the airway cart here just in case. My heart sank, I feared that re-intubating meant there was a good chance he would be trached soon after, that was his experience two years ago and it took him ten weeks to get off the ventilator. Jerry has respiratory treatments around the clock, one of the treatments is wearing a vest that fills up with air and does a sort of pounding vibration on his torso to help loosen the secretions. I think these treatments are begging to pay off, today Jerry's secretions are down again. The day started off a little rough with his airway partially blocked the respiratory therapist worked with Jerry for about an hour at 5 this morning but finally cleared the air way enough for him to not labor so hard with his breathing. The rest of the day has been really good. Dare I say he may be over the hump ...I'm afraid to get my hopes up.

Katie