Free at Last, Free at Last!

9:25 a.m.
The nurse and the respiratory therapist extubated Bridger (removed the vent) on advice of Dr. Sommerauer. He had been breathing well on his own all night, showed signs of clear lungs and throat and was very alert. We cross our fingers. Almost immediately, he shows significant signs of improved breathing over our experience on Friday. And without even an oxygen mask, Bridger is breathing fine on his own! We keep our fingers crossed...

10:00 a.m.
The fact that almost no medical personnel have been in the room for the last half hour, hovering over Bridger, is a VERY good sign. On Friday, they couldn't leave his side, right up to the time he was re-intubated. Today he looks and acts almost like our sweet little guy, prior to surgery! Dr. Sommerauer, the daytime intensivist who's worked with him most, has done a wonderful job. We can't say enough good things about our staff.

We just realized that Bridger's parting with the vent occurred at the same time as the sacrament is passed in our ward's sacrament meeting. I'm sure the prayers and faith of our ward members, as well as friends, neighbors and family, have collectively been answered. Thanks to all of you!

They will continue to monitor him and check his blood gases to ensure that everything is headed in the right direction. If he continues this pattern, they will allow us to feed him breast milk sometime this afternoon. We hope they will release him to the regular floor sometime in the morning on Monday.

10:20 a.m.
It just keeps gettin' better. For the first time since we surrended our child to the surgery staff on Thursday morning, Jana got to hold our little Bridge! Truly a momentous occassion.

We are certainly grateful to have had the convenience of the Ronald McDonald house bedroom over the last three nights. I will probably spend one more night there tonight, then we can stay with Bridger in his actual room, once he's moved. This is a picture of the small, simple yet comfortable and functional bedroom that both of us stayed in last night. Thanks again, Mom, for being here for us through this and watching the kids! We hate to see you go home tonight, but we know you've probably seen us through the worst of it.
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11:25 a.m.
It keeps getting better! He's cooing and booing as if nothing ever happened. He's a little hoarse. (Actually quite the stallion, if I may say so.) The nurse just confirmed that, if things go well, he'll go to the floor tomorrow. Who knows? We're hoping he'll come home Wednesday and be our Christmas Eve present.

7:40 p.m.
Jana's Thoughts: Bridger has had a great day! He's acting and looking more like himself again. He even got really mad and started wailing because he was hungry. When the nurse finally got the milk thawed and the bottle to him, he downed 3 ounces in no time. He was able to keep that first feeding down and then breastfeed later - both important steps toward leaving the PICU. His Omi and siblings came to visit on their way to the airport and were so happy to see and hold him. He got a little overstimulated by all the commotion of the kids and needed a little Tylenol to calm him down. Welcome to my world, Bridger! :) They were able to take out the catheter and most of his drips will be discontinued tonight. Hopefully tomorrow he will be on his way to the post-cardiac floor. Dad's hanging with him tonight while mom spends a little time with the older kids at home.