Spring Will Come

On March 25, Paul will be admitted to the PICU for a short stay. The purpose: to begin taking steps to wean him from the ventilator.

We believe we have excellent reason to be hopeful that Paul can come off the vent during the day. Paul was trached due to chronic apnea (stop-breathing episodes) which he no longer seems to have, at least when awake.

And his scary desaturations, which still do happen if we are not very careful, are related to his need for supplemental oxygen, something he can get without the help of the ventilator. These episodes - due we believe to something called pulmonary hypertension, which was caused by his lung disease of prematurity, which was caused by the inflammation and scarring from being on the ventilator - might also be treated with medication.

I don't know what the process will look like. But we know what our goal is: The picture above is our little Paulie lookalike, ripped from the pages of a magazine. A little peanut just like Paulie, and if you can't tell, he's got a nasal canula which is how Paul would get O2 if he was both off the vent AND could get rid of his trach.

Please hold Paul in your prayers, and ask his patron saints to pray for him as well. St. Francis de Sales said the Memorare every day, and now so do we:

Remember oh most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee oh Virgin of virgins my mother. To thee to I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.