Gabriel had an excellent night, peaceful by his mother’s side. His saturation increased to 100%, which was a real relief after the concerning fluctuations of the previous day. According to the physiotherapist, these drops were probably due to the decrease in PEP (positive expiratory pressure), set to 6. This decrease could have caused a respiratory withdrawal effect, thus explaining the troubles observed yesterday.
This morning, everything was still fine, but as the day progressed, his saturation began to oscillate between 89 and 95 again. Although these numbers remain in an acceptable range, these variations, combined with the sound alerts from the machines, reactivate intense stress in us, marked by the traumas of the past weeks.
A doctor came by today, but she couldn’t give us much information. No examinations were performed today. Yesterday’s blood tests show a slight improvement, while yesterday’s X-ray reveals no change in the lungs. A CT scan is scheduled for Thursday, and we hope to have the results between Friday and Monday.
In the early afternoon, Gabriel had a difficult episode for 2 hours: a kind of unusual hiccup that made him startle, cry, and was very difficult to calm. This moment made the beginning of the afternoon particularly challenging.
This late afternoon was marked by an important intervention: the replacement of the central line.
This catheter placed in his leg for two weeks has been replaced by a “PICC line” (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter).
This new device, inserted into the arm and reaching “to the entrance of the heart, allows for safer and more durable intravenous administration, with a reduced risk of” infection. The “procedure lasted nearly two hours and” ended around 7 PM. Everything went well and his oxygen saturation this evening was at 98%.
Today was also the birthday of his French great-grandmother, Jeannine, who is celebrating her 91st birthday! Every day, she sends Gabriel a voice message on WhatsApp, accompanied by the chirping of sparrows from her terrace, and words full of tenderness. For us, she is a symbol of resilience. We broadcast her messages on Gabriel’s television so that he can hear them and feel this soothing and positive presence.
Finally, a big thank you to all of you for the music you have sent us. I tried to complete the YouTube playlist, but some children’s songs cannot be included due to rights issues. However, they are all present on the USB drive connected to Gabriel’s TV. Some songs evoke very good memories with you, others make us smile… or shed a few tears. In short, it’s a concentration of emotions, and we sincerely thank you for it.
