*Breathe*

Brett's vest arrived this week! Click here to read my original post describing this device. It helps with airway clearance, which must be performed 2-3 times a day, every day, on someone who has CF. Until now, we've performed manual "Chest PT" several times every day. The way it works is that the hoses you see connect the jacket to the main machine, which sends air through to inflate the jacket. The jacket then vibrates and compresses at a high frequency and at various speeds and intervals to loosen the thick mucus from the airways.

Today was the first day we used the vest twice. He doesn't seem to mind it - and this afternoon he was relaxed enough to fall asleep on his daddy's lap while he got his airway clearance. I'm thinking of continuing the manual airway clearance at night because he usually goes to sleep and I put him straight in the bed. This vest will be a nice break from manual therapy every single time. It will also be nice to be able to count on the consistency of the quality of airway clearance when other people are responsible for the treatment. Also, when Brett is older, it will be very important to him because it means that he can be independent from us and still be able to get his treatments. It means he will be able to live away from home on his own and take care of himself without having to depend on another person to give him therapy.

Although it doesn't reduce the amount of time we spend on it (still 30 minutes for each session), it shakes all the lobes of the lungs at once for 30 minutes, versus us spending just 3-5 on each single lobe during manual PT. Therefore, it's very efficient and it's been proven to reduce hospitalizations for those who use it regularly. This device is going to ease the rigors of Brett's care quite a bit, and make our lives easier. We are very happy about that! Tomorrow he gets his first IVIG infusion.