Okay, the chant now should be "Breathe, Chuck, Breathe!" He was able to come off the ventilator a few times yesterday ... 20 minutes was his longest stretch. It seems he gets nervous ... so please pray for determination and strength of mind. He needs to make it to 30 minutes. (He does not remember that he has actually done it for a three-hour stretch!)
As for his "leaky gut," my friend Laura has provided a GREAT explanation:
- "It's called third spacing of fluids. The fluid(plasma) that is normally in the bloodstream has seeped out into the tissue. If the albumin in the blood is low the body tries to seek equalibrium in fluid status by leaking it into the tissues. When albumin (protein) is at normal levels in the bloodstream, it holds the fluid in."
I don't know about you, but this explanation has greatly settled my nerves!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support.
