restless nights

Jo has had a few restless nights with his cough.  Today the Dr talked to us about the likely cause being dry throat from mouth breathing.  The air conditioning definitely leaves you with dry mouth and when he coughs it sounds very dry and irritating.

It can be very challenging listening to Jo breath night over night.    He sounds like he is snoring or like I do when I have an asthma attack.  The Dr assured us that the sound is air passing through the airway with weak muscular support.  Over time this could improve, or it could not, but even though it sounds bad he is not struggling to oxygenate.  We asked for a blood test yesterday and the results showed no need for concern, unfortunately that doesn't really make it any easier to hear.  They have added a humidification tube near his face and we are using Flonase to clear up his nose a bit.  We've seen some moderate improvement.

Jo is also crying more often.  He opens his mouth, squints his eyes, and tears roll down his cheeks.  He is clearly uncomfortable, in some pain, but where or why we really don't know.  He could also be tired of being here, tired of his body not responding, or missing all of us, we hope!  They upped his dose of ibuprofen and that seems to have helped. 

Yesterday Alex has helped Jo open his right eye when he opened ever so slightly. When she did Jo's eye focused right on hers and it felt like he was really engaged with us. He shifted his eye to me when I called his name and we both swear he had a half smile.  His left lip curled upward ever so slightly, and it was amazing.  Our baby boy is fighting so hard, he smiled to let us know he is gonna be alright,  it will take time but he is coming back! 

Please focus your prayers on improved breathing for Jo and to keep pushing to wake up.  I have received so many messages from people that have a feeling it is close to happening! Keep the prayers coming, we love you all!

Side note, we continue to receive the best care for Jo we could ever ask for.  During such a trying time we cannot express how comforting it is to see someone care for your child in such a compassionate and loving way.  Today our nurse is Liz (the best!), I'm pretty sure Alex and her are becoming best buds, I love seeing them chat it up.

Jojobinks, rest peacefully mommy and daddy are here.  Keep fighting and show us that smile again! We love you and miss you so much baby boy.  You are in good hands here and God has you with him, follow him back to us.  We love you to the moon and back sweet angel, you've got this!
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