Nathaniel is still a resident of Valley Med hospital. Its not the most desirable real estate but its not the worst. Nate had been intubated with a breathing tube for 3 1/2 weeks, including the brief time he was off of it and then had to be put back on.
Last Wednesday they took out the breathing tube and replaced it with a mask that constantly pushes air into his face. He doesn't like it. Thankfully on Monday the doctors started taking the mask off for the day and then putting it back on at night. This happens for 2 reasons.
1. They are afraid of wearing him out by having him breathing on his own.
2. Nate is suffering some pretty hard withdrawals from all the drugs he was on for the 3 1/2 weeks of intubation.
Its scary to see your 1 year-old go through this process and its an added headache. Is was in decent spirits today. The doctor is optimistic that we'll be out by the time he goes to college.
He has the sponges on a stick that are used for teeth and mouth cleaning. Turns out he loves them. He has replaced his old addiction for drugs with a new addiction for mouth cleaning sponges on a stick.
This was Nate on Monday, his first day with the mask off. It was bliss
