Another tough weekend here in OKC. Parker was switched from high flow to NIV, as his C02 levels were high and he just all around was not himself. It helped for a short while, but it wasn’t quite enough. He had a coughing fit and turned blue, his body just couldn’t recover like it normally does. 

The team carefully made the decision to intubate him Friday night. They were worried his cardiac output was so poor, that he would not tolerate being sedated for intubation and his heart would stop beating during the process. 

Parker proved us all wrong and handled intubation wonderfully. His body seems much happier with the extra support from the ventilator. With the ventilator comes more sedation and no holding. I got so used to watching him smile, playing with him and snuggling, that my heart aches. But I know this is what’s best for him to rest. 

The team here is hoping he will be able to be extubated again as he waits for transplant. But his body will guide the way. Since being intubated he has been stable, but he’s definitely angry he can’t have his arms free. We all hope he just needed a break from doing so much work.

I’ll never forget the feelings I had on Friday night. Holding him and saying I love you before leaving the room and waiting to hear from the doctors how he had done.

We are so thankful to have such great people taking care of Parker. And we are so thankful Parker is without a doubt the toughest person we’ve ever met. We’re so lucky he’s ours. 🐠🩵