Looks like a multiple post kind of day…we’re learning that information trickles in hour by hour. Ron and I had a chance to speak to the Attending after rounds today, and despite Tyler’s vent settings going back up, there is some very heartening news she told us.
There’s a value they’ve been following that we didn’t know about. It measures the ratio of oxygenation in his blood compared to oxygen getting to his heart, and is a big indicator of lung health. In healthy folks, the number would be 1 or 2. Tyler’s highest level was 40 – much too high – then it started trending down but got stuck in the 20’s and 30’s for a few days. Because of this, his team started a med called Mucomyst despite its risks of clogging the filter of his oscillator. So far, the filter looks fine. Today, the Attending told us, Tyler’s value was 19 – the lowest yet. Further, his latest chest x-ray showed some actual improvement in some areas of his lungs! Like Ron said this morning, Tyler looks more like our son today. His face, arms and feet are less swollen, and we can see his beautiful freckles again. With 3 days of nutrition on board, his skin breakdown is healing as well.