Working on weaning the vent and sedation.  I asked the staff about using buprenorphine to wean the sedation and prevent withdraws. I found this is already being used in PICUs to facilitate early extubation. They weren't keen on it and preferred to follow their standard weaning protocols which entails swapping IV benzodiazepines and narcotics for oral that will be given via the feeding tube. 

They adjusted his ventilator settings to give him more opportunity to breathe on his own and he's been doing it! They also decreased his sedation and boluses some so if he does get agitated, they don't have to knock him out for hours and start from scratch waiting for him to breathe on his own. His A line was removed today as well. 

BAMC in San Antonio said they had the capabilities to do treatment on Asher, but because HBOT is not an "approved" therapy for drowning that it would not be insurance covered and they were not willing to do it. 

We have been reaching out to other facilities to see if there are any options to get him into a chamber sooner than later since right now we we are limited due to him still being on the ventilator.

Behavior wise, he is responding to some stimuli (mainly irritants). He does not like being suctioned. This makes him gag, cough, and throw up. He is biting his tongue, the ET tube, and staff's fingers. They're going to try a bite block again tonight to protect his tongue. He takes a while to settle back down. 

We've been talking to him, singing to him, reminding him to get off the ladder and put it back (lol). His sisters have been able to see him every day along with grandma, uncle, grandpa, and other family friends and folks praying for us.

Today's been hard. I want to hug him so badly and see him fighting and roughhousing with his sisters. I keep picturing him running back and forth for his brownie pieces on the coffee table right before this happened, so joyful and carefree. I know our Father is faithful and FULLY able to heal him. Continue praying with us, standing in agreement that he will be fully restored. Pray for us to keep the faith and not get discouraged by today. We thank Him for the healing He has already provided to Asher and for all of you who are bearing this burden with us.