{Day 9}

I wanted to post a quick update on Ben. He is on day 9 in the ICU and continues to be off the ventilator. Unfortunately he is still breathing heavily and at a very rapid rate. To help manage it and avoid reintubation, they have been alternating between high-flow oxygen and CPAP (think sleep apnea mask - he hates it). After an exhausting 2 days since he was extubated, it seems to finally be working. For the first time he seems to be breathing a little bit easier this afternoon (in the 70s/80s versus 100s). He has nursed for a few minutes a couple of times as well, which is good because they were considering putting back in his feeding tube if he didn't start soon which we wanted to avoid. Overall, I feel that today has been a better day -- which we have yet to have here so I am scared to actually say it because I have learned that it can change from hour to hour. The nights tend to be harder, so we will see what tonight brings. We are staying strong for Ben's sake and hoping this is the beginning of the end of this ordeal for him. Keep up the prayers -- sweet Ben needs them for just a bit longer!