In the PICU

Poor Caleb is in the PICU at primary Children's hospital.  For the past several days we have been having issues with his respiratory equipment, and his respiratory rate had been slightly elevated.  We assumed it was because his equipment hadn't been working properly because he wasn't showing any other signs of illness-until last night.  He started to have blood come out of his trach, and by this morning he obviously wasn't feeling well.  His heart rate and respiratory rate were abnormally high, and his ear drum looked like it ruptured.  I took him to the pediatrician who agreed that he looked quite sick then gave him a double shot of antibiotics and prescribed another antibiotic as well.  While in the office Caleb's Oxygen saturation decreased, and he would only SAT in the low 80's on 3 liters. 
When I brought him home he continued to spiral, I had to turn up his oxygen to 5 liters and he would still only sat 77-80.  I visited with the pulmonologists and Primary Children's and they encouraged us to call an ambulance.  We decided to take him in ourselves and felt we could keep him stable enough until we got there.
Once we arrived  there was a flurry of activity to get him stable.  His blood pressure was extremely low, and he wouldn't saturate enough oxygen.  So, the rest of the afternoon was filled with lots of worries and pokes:
IV lines
Central lines
Arterial lines
Chest X rays that showed collapse of the right lung
A chest tube put in to drain fluid from his right lung
An intubation tube with a cuff placed in his trach stoma to try to get better ventilation
Lots of fluids and blood pressure medicine
PEEP on the vent at 12 at 100% oxygen
IV antibiotics and lots of tests being run.

So far it looks like he has bacterial pneumonia, and he is one sick little boy.   I've only seen him this sick once before, but that was before his trach.  At least now his trach allows him to have better ventilation without the trauma of intubation.

On a happier note:
Doctors were able to get him stable enough for us to come home and get a few hours of sleep. 
Dallan was able to be at the hospital with me.
My mom was able to watch my other little boys and keep them over night
There was Papa Murphy's pizza in the cafeteria and peach frozen yogurt!!
The attending PICU doctor who worked with us was fantastic
Our room is right at the front entrance so we can smile and wave at everyone who walks in :)


Please keep our sweet boy in your prayers!