11:12
Last night we followed the doctor’s advice and both went home, leaving Gabriel alone.
(First time he’s staying alone for a night, it’s clearly not easy to handle)
This morning when I arrived, his oxygen saturation was at 87% with the alarm beeping…
I quickly tried to understand why, rapidly analyzing the machines, tubes, and results.
His PCR hasn’t increased, he doesn’t have a fever, but his x-ray was a bit whiter. He also has more CO2 in his system, if I understand correctly.
The doctor told me via WhatsApp:
“He seems to have atelectasis in the upper right lobe, otherwise the appearance is even a bit better.
We will intensify respiratory physiotherapy and start a pulmonary anti-inflammatory treatment. To help this lung.”
In a panic, I asked the physiotherapist to come see him. She gave him a rather intense session and he went up to 97. Then 40 minutes later he was back to 90 and I had to leave because it was bath time…
1:49 PM
I saw the doctor, here is his report for the day (hoping not to distort or forget anything):
General Condition
Gabriel is clinically stable today, like yesterday.
Lungs
There is a new partial atelectasis of a lung lobe. This seems treatable with respiratory physiotherapy.
The doctor told us that he doesn’t have, for now, obliterative bronchiolitis (severe chronic damage to small bronchi), but he has the potential to develop it.
He will most likely have lifelong lung problems. But we believe in miracles!
Speaking of Miracles
Before Gabriel was put on ECMO, a doctor had told me that Gabriel was really in a bad way and that it was becoming very complicated for them.
This same doctor, whom I hadn’t seen for several weeks, came back this morning.
He told me he couldn’t believe how awake he was. He didn’t think his brain would hold up against everything he went through.
About This Morning and His Low Oxygen Saturation
Several possible causes were mentioned:
- Poor placement of the saturation sensor → ruled out, as I had already asked to change feet.
- Secretions in the lungs → likely requiring respiratory physiotherapy, which was indeed beneficial for him.
- Atelectasis discovered today. For info, atelectasis is when part of the lung collapses or no longer inflates normally. Basically, air can no longer enter a part of the lung properly, so it doesn’t function well for blood oxygenation.
- Lack of hemoglobin → a transfusion is scheduled for the afternoon
Note: Please consider donating blood, Gabriel has already had several blood transfusions since his arrival, it has saved his life. Thank you to the donors!
Treatment
Following the visit of the gastroenterologist and pulmonologist, a targeted treatment against the partially controlled lung infection was initiated, based on:
- Azithromycin for 5 days: used for its anti-inflammatory effect, in addition to its antibiotic role.
- Corticosteroids (probably methylprednisolone) have been started.
Pulse therapy (intensive corticosteroid treatment) is being considered for later.
For the tracheostomy considered yesterday, for now it’s not yet necessary. We’ll first see how the treatments go.
Doctor’s Conclusion
No worsening, but still a serious and stable condition.
A long journey ahead. Patience and resilience are essential.
Our Conclusion
We will never leave him alone at night again.
Good News
After the baths, I was able to spend 1.5 hours with him, during which he was fully awake. A true joy to see him with those big eyes open!
PS for Portuguese readers: I had to change the automatic translator for the Portuguese version. If you see that the translation seems strange, let me know.
