Many different directions

This morning we are told that things could go in many different directions for Ash. Her chest x-rays are frightening and they are expected to get worse before they get better. Her actual vent settings have been weaned this morning, but they are asking me not to get too excited over the changes because of the look of her x-rays. She is doing well on the volume of her breaths, but as far as her oxygen requirements are concerned it doesn't look as good. Something has infiltrated her lungs and now we must figure out what it is and how it needs to be treated. Possible aspiration from all of her vomiting?

They are scheduling a bronchoscopy(?) for this morning. This procedure will allow them to send an instrument down into her lungs through her breathing tube and take pieces of whatever is in there to culture. It is our best option for developing an appropriate plan at this point. It is a risky procedure, but they have done them before on Ash and she handled it well. It is far less risky than a lung biopsy so we are counting our blessings at this phase of the game.

These are the details of her care that I have learned so far. She still has no fever and for that we are very, very thankful. The emotional part of all that has taken place is extremely difficult for me to talk about right now. I just wanted you all to know what direction to pray in today and to say thank you again for praying. We will update after rounds later this morning.