Urgent Call to Chase's Prayer Warriors

Since Chase’s vital signs were good throughout the past day, the ER crew decided to try to remove the breathing tube and see if he was ok without assistance. Unfortunately, his heart rate immediately dropped to concerning levels and caused them to have to intubate Chase again right away. This was a pretty traumatic experience for him, particularly since with the tube in he can’t talk or eat and it’s extremely uncomfortable. They believe that the vocal cord paralysis may be blocking his airway too much for normal breathing to continue without a tube (or possibly CPAP, which I suggested as a short-term measure to support his recovery non-invasively). We’re hoping and praying that this is just a short-term issue and with the pressure relief from the temporary shunt and with some shrinkage of the tumor, the nerves will quickly recover so that his airway will stay open for normal breathing.

Fortunately, the chest X-rays today were clear and they no longer have any concerns about his lungs. His oxygen level has been fine as well, so the only thing we need to get back on track with his recovery is an open airway. They are going to try again tomorrow to remove the breathing tube and check his vital signs. If this doesn’t improve fairly soon, they may have to do a tracheostomy, which we would desperately like to avoid, if at all possible.

We are also continuing to pray that the necrosis areas in the tumor will dry up enabling the pressure to be reduced further and the whole lesion to shrink. This is the key to his long-term full recovery. Please join us in seeing Chase’s complete response and visualize his white blood cells rapidly carrying off the debris from the tumor. We truly appreciate all your prayers – they mean the world to us as we support Chase in getting over this latest speedbump as quickly as possible.

God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann