Noah did not really pass the trial yesterday so today they will not be extubating him. We are not sure if he exactly failed because there was a lot going on when the respiratory therapist turned down his settings. Once when they were suctioning him yesterday, his heart rate dropped and his color was really pale. He did recover but it took a lot of reserve for him to get his color back. Yesterday was a really rough day as far as withdrawals go. The doctors are trying to come up with a good sedation regime so that he is still comfortable but not totally knocked out. So far, today, he is doing great. He woke up for me and was actually playful and smiled for me. :) And he actually tried to reach up and touch my face... it looked like he wanted to kiss me because he was touching my cheek and trying to pull my face toward him with his mouth open. So cute! But the stinking breathing tube was in our way so I had to settle with kissing him on his hand.
Noah's pancreatic and liver enzymes are coming down. MUCH better than last week! His belly is smaller and less firm. Nice and soft and squishy. We are actually going to try small feeds today. They are also going to try a different formula that is broken down already so it will be easier to digest. Just until he is tolerating his feeds again. His kidneys are doing MUCH better! I love answered prayers!
So, as far as the trials go, we just did a half hour worth and he seemed to tolerate it well. They may try an hour worth later this evening. This is going to help get his respiratory strength back up so that he will do better with extubation. They are also switching his breathing treatments from Albuteral to Atravent, to see if this will work better as far as his malasia. He still has a lot of secretions but it seems to be better. He is just weak still.
This is Aaron's last week with us up here, then he will be going back to work. It has been really nice having him with us this whole time. Pray that all three of us will be together at home very soon!

Prayer requests:
For the withdrawals to subside and for him to be awake and comfortable.
For his airways and lungs to strengthen so we can get the breathing tube out.
For his overall strength and healing to continue to improve.
For his toleration of the new formula and feedings so we can get him back on normal nutrition.
That his recovery quickens even more.