It is time to get out something bigger than sparklers and fire crackers....maybe not rockets just yet...but we do need to celebrate!!!
I called Brian about noon to let him know I would be on my way soon, and his news made me cry. He said Stan had squeezed his hand on command several different times!!! He would ask him questions and tell him to squeeze or NOT squeeze, and Stan "obeyed." Not a very hard squeeze, but a gentle but definite pressure. I know....because he has done the same for me several times today. I could hear Rick Elliot in the background telling Stan to squeeze his hand. I can't wait to hear what Rick says!!
He also opened his eyes several times today in recognition. I was a little sad by the look that he seemed to have....like he was scared. It must be awful to wonder what is going on and where you are. But he seemed to search my face. I hated to leave, but I keep getting all the advice to "get some rest," "take care of yourself," etc........
I am anxious to return tomorrow!!!
He is having some tummy problems with his food stuff...so they have quit feeding him for a couple of days. Seems mighty drastic to me, but I sure want to trust they know what is best!!
He does have the infections....lung and blood, but his "numbers" stayed good today. He is on a powerful antibiotic....
Dr. Lee wants him more stable before transferring him to the LTAC. But what a thrill to know he is "there." I don't know what the future holds, but I DO KNOW WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE!!
Hmmmmm....the morning after the anointing... Anyone think there is a correlation???
Love, M
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Day 37
To you "non" Alaskans.... we had two or three of those really beautiful blue sky white world days this week....they are COLD but so pretty. We were having a "heat wave" when Grace and I left the hospital after midnight last night.... the sign by the hospital said -12C and 12F....interestingly...they hit the same number minus and plus at 12!! This is a lot warmer than the -22C the night before!!
Andy came in and stayed with Stan during the morning so I could try to catch up at home a little. The boys are taking turns doing this, so I have to comply and stay home mornings. I seem to be even more rushed instead of less. I used to get up shower and hit the road. Now I try to get things "done" so still end up hurrying with the "shower and hit the road" part. Bless them.... With their help and Kathy's, I have managed to get packages mailed to OH, WI, MN, and OR. Grace took the cards I bought in October to mail "early" .... and addressed, signed, stamped, and stuck return labels on them for me. Now I need to write a note...especially for those who don't have email and are outside the loop of you who do, so don't know about Stan....and get them mailed. I waivered big time about NOT sending this year. But I hae enjoyed receiving... thank you for taking the time to read my updates, encourage me in so many ways, and keeping Stan in your prayers.
When I got to the hospital, there was the dreaded sign on the door, telling me to see a nurse before entering. I had to gown and glove, as he was again in isolation while they determined if his staph was MRSA. It wasn't long before Dr. Lee came in to talk to Andy and me, and he said he was taking the order of isolation off. Stan does have a new staph pneumonia, tho, and also a bacteria in his blood, so he remains very sick.
He looks "good"......his color is good. Last night when Grace and I were getting ready to leave, his oxygen level was at 88, so I didn't want to leave until I knew he would be okay. I fiddled with his "mask" and suctioned his mouth a little in an attempt to get him to cough and hopefully dislodge any "plug" that might be obstructing his air way. Grace asked how low before the machine would beep. I told her when it got to 84. I did get a medium sized glob with a cough, and his number said 89 for a second. But almost immediately the beeping started and I saw he was at 83. The nurse came right in...the fastest response I've witnessed in 37 days!! The RT also appeared and together we worked on him. The RT did a lot of deep suctioning but his numbers kept going down. The lowest point was 76.... We turned him, pulled him up in bed, etc...turned his oxygen percentage up... He finally went to 90 and the nurse and RT left...telling me to let them know when I was left.
He did dip to 89 some more, so Grace and I were nervous about leaving him....but with kisses and fiddling and I can't remember what else....he reached 91 and 92 pretty stable, so Grace went out to warm both our cars....spoiling ME. (Two nights ago Isaac did this, one night ago I had to do it myself, and so Grace said it was her turn!! I'm glad it was "warm" for her. My night it was minus four, and I sat in the car for 10 to 15 minutes before driving...holding my hands over my mouth so it wouldn't hurt to breathe!)
Speaking of which....I'm going to tell on Kathy!! I told her my nose hairs were a good temp gauge...they freeze at 10F and below, so I can tell if it is below or above ten degrees. I just breathe normally or very shallowly because the cold hurts if you take in a bunch....and the resulting nose freeze IS obvious. She left about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night and took several BIG breaths on the way to her car....testing my "theory." Thursday her throat is sore and hoarse....and it is all MY fault!! I would say "teehee" except I can't laugh at her hurting!!! So if any of you are tempted to test my theory, just take tiny breaths!!
Grace didn't leave to start the cars until Stan had hit 93 to 94 for a few minutes. When I left, he was pretty stable at 96. PTL
I do NOT know what caused the oxygen levels to drop so suddenly or so stubbornly. That part still has me worried.
He has opened his eyes on occasion....I haven't felt the hand pressure.
Deryl, Tim, and John Toms did pray specifically for him while we all held hands...with him, too...and then Tim anointed him with oil yesterday. As Tim prayed, "this is not to test God" but to try to carry out His will according to the scriptures. There is no "magic" in the oil, but the more I study on the subject, I think the anointing is more of a dedication of the person receiving it. We all appreciate any thoughts any of you may have on it.
My tree outside my window is "decorated" with live birds...rather neat to see... a large one is sitting on the very top like where you would put an angel or a star on your Christmas tree! Just had to share that with you as there are several other birds sitting on lower branches and it just looked decorated!!
I need to get busy and do my rushing around, so I can get to the hospital to see my guy. Brian is there now with him.
He may get to go to St. Elias soon. Dr. Lee wants him a little more stable first. It is a wonderful facility....new, spacious, and beautiful...but also great nursing care and the step above the floor he is on now, we believe. There are too many "goof ups in care" here...i.e. sticking the unsterile tube into his trach....3 times that we observed.
I did have a talk with the nurse who kicked me out yesterday.... and have resolved that issue. She is one of the "best" and has never used the unsterile thing in his trach.
It is 3 minutes to ten and the sky is just getting light, with some really pretty pink swirls of clouds creeping over the mountains. It looks like another gorgeous (cold?) day. Yesterday (Thursday) was a "black and white" picture day...the sky was a solid gray/white and the trees were dark so appeared black where there was no snow. There is heavy snow on the top of the limbs of the spruce, and the alters and birch are totally white. The only color is when you can spot a newspaper orange bag, or a glimpse of someone's colorful house or a light left on, etc. It has its own beauty and I was wishing I had taken the camera! Okay...in the couple minutes I took writing the above paragraph...the sky is now almost solid pink out my window!! I do wish you could all see it!!
Love, M
Andy came in and stayed with Stan during the morning so I could try to catch up at home a little. The boys are taking turns doing this, so I have to comply and stay home mornings. I seem to be even more rushed instead of less. I used to get up shower and hit the road. Now I try to get things "done" so still end up hurrying with the "shower and hit the road" part. Bless them.... With their help and Kathy's, I have managed to get packages mailed to OH, WI, MN, and OR. Grace took the cards I bought in October to mail "early" .... and addressed, signed, stamped, and stuck return labels on them for me. Now I need to write a note...especially for those who don't have email and are outside the loop of you who do, so don't know about Stan....and get them mailed. I waivered big time about NOT sending this year. But I hae enjoyed receiving... thank you for taking the time to read my updates, encourage me in so many ways, and keeping Stan in your prayers.
When I got to the hospital, there was the dreaded sign on the door, telling me to see a nurse before entering. I had to gown and glove, as he was again in isolation while they determined if his staph was MRSA. It wasn't long before Dr. Lee came in to talk to Andy and me, and he said he was taking the order of isolation off. Stan does have a new staph pneumonia, tho, and also a bacteria in his blood, so he remains very sick.
He looks "good"......his color is good. Last night when Grace and I were getting ready to leave, his oxygen level was at 88, so I didn't want to leave until I knew he would be okay. I fiddled with his "mask" and suctioned his mouth a little in an attempt to get him to cough and hopefully dislodge any "plug" that might be obstructing his air way. Grace asked how low before the machine would beep. I told her when it got to 84. I did get a medium sized glob with a cough, and his number said 89 for a second. But almost immediately the beeping started and I saw he was at 83. The nurse came right in...the fastest response I've witnessed in 37 days!! The RT also appeared and together we worked on him. The RT did a lot of deep suctioning but his numbers kept going down. The lowest point was 76.... We turned him, pulled him up in bed, etc...turned his oxygen percentage up... He finally went to 90 and the nurse and RT left...telling me to let them know when I was left.
He did dip to 89 some more, so Grace and I were nervous about leaving him....but with kisses and fiddling and I can't remember what else....he reached 91 and 92 pretty stable, so Grace went out to warm both our cars....spoiling ME. (Two nights ago Isaac did this, one night ago I had to do it myself, and so Grace said it was her turn!! I'm glad it was "warm" for her. My night it was minus four, and I sat in the car for 10 to 15 minutes before driving...holding my hands over my mouth so it wouldn't hurt to breathe!)
Speaking of which....I'm going to tell on Kathy!! I told her my nose hairs were a good temp gauge...they freeze at 10F and below, so I can tell if it is below or above ten degrees. I just breathe normally or very shallowly because the cold hurts if you take in a bunch....and the resulting nose freeze IS obvious. She left about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night and took several BIG breaths on the way to her car....testing my "theory." Thursday her throat is sore and hoarse....and it is all MY fault!! I would say "teehee" except I can't laugh at her hurting!!! So if any of you are tempted to test my theory, just take tiny breaths!!
Grace didn't leave to start the cars until Stan had hit 93 to 94 for a few minutes. When I left, he was pretty stable at 96. PTL
I do NOT know what caused the oxygen levels to drop so suddenly or so stubbornly. That part still has me worried.
He has opened his eyes on occasion....I haven't felt the hand pressure.
Deryl, Tim, and John Toms did pray specifically for him while we all held hands...with him, too...and then Tim anointed him with oil yesterday. As Tim prayed, "this is not to test God" but to try to carry out His will according to the scriptures. There is no "magic" in the oil, but the more I study on the subject, I think the anointing is more of a dedication of the person receiving it. We all appreciate any thoughts any of you may have on it.
My tree outside my window is "decorated" with live birds...rather neat to see... a large one is sitting on the very top like where you would put an angel or a star on your Christmas tree! Just had to share that with you as there are several other birds sitting on lower branches and it just looked decorated!!
I need to get busy and do my rushing around, so I can get to the hospital to see my guy. Brian is there now with him.
He may get to go to St. Elias soon. Dr. Lee wants him a little more stable first. It is a wonderful facility....new, spacious, and beautiful...but also great nursing care and the step above the floor he is on now, we believe. There are too many "goof ups in care" here...i.e. sticking the unsterile tube into his trach....3 times that we observed.
I did have a talk with the nurse who kicked me out yesterday.... and have resolved that issue. She is one of the "best" and has never used the unsterile thing in his trach.
It is 3 minutes to ten and the sky is just getting light, with some really pretty pink swirls of clouds creeping over the mountains. It looks like another gorgeous (cold?) day. Yesterday (Thursday) was a "black and white" picture day...the sky was a solid gray/white and the trees were dark so appeared black where there was no snow. There is heavy snow on the top of the limbs of the spruce, and the alters and birch are totally white. The only color is when you can spot a newspaper orange bag, or a glimpse of someone's colorful house or a light left on, etc. It has its own beauty and I was wishing I had taken the camera! Okay...in the couple minutes I took writing the above paragraph...the sky is now almost solid pink out my window!! I do wish you could all see it!!
Love, M
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Day 35
I spent the better part of the morning writing yesterday's update, only to have trouble with hotmail and losing the entire update along with messages from Galen and Flossie. I recovered my email once, and sent it to myself because the edit line had also disappeared from my screen. Since then the computer has reverted back to before I started my email and won't budge. Aargh!!!!
Perhaps I wasn't supposed to send the update I wrote. It was pretty stressed. I will try a simpler version and see if I can send it.
Also, I have been getting messages from different individuals that you are not getting my updates. I am sending them every day to all of you. I don't know what happens. I am sorry about the mess ups.
Yesterday had good and bad times!! It was perhaps my most stressful day yet.
I arrived at the hospital to find Stan's room EMPTY....not even his bed!! He had been transferred from ICU to PCU (progressive care unit.)
At 11 we had the meeting with Doctors, social workers, family members, and two friends (Deryl and Kathy.)
It was determined that we would leave Stan on DNR regarding a "catastrophic occurence" causing his heart to stop or him to quit breathing. Otherwise he is continuing on all support (oxygen, feeding, etc) and a wait and see time. He may be eligible for the LTAC ...long term acute care... here in Anchorage. Kathy and I visited it the other day and it is very nice.
Andy, Isaac, and I had some issues with the "quality" of Stan's care yesterday. Maybe my talking about this made my previous attempt to send an update not acceptable??? Basically it was about the way a couple of nurses neglected using sterile suction methods on his trach.
Kathy took me shopping so I could send things to our grandchildren out of state. This had been a "biggie" on my stress level....I want them to know we love them and are thinking about them, too!!
Stan developed a very high fever in the late evening, his oxygen levels had problems, and his heart rate was way out of control. I wasn't able to leave him until about one a.m. Isaac stayed there to wait for Andy to come get him after work about 2:45 a.m. Andy called me at 2:50 to tell me that Stan's fever was finally down to 97.9. It had been 105.4 about 11 p.m. He was put on a cooling blanket, had ice packs under his arms and in the groin area, and Isaac and I sponged his face for quite a while.
The doctor ordered blood cultures, and they had difficulty getting the two amounts....many pricks for the one, used the IV pic for the other.
I know this is brief...and doesn't even have my "joke" of the day included...but it is now "rush" time for me to get going. I had tried to email you all when I got home about 2, but the internet wouldn't let me log on. I don't know what is going on, but I am hoping I can send this now.
Love, M (It was minus one when I came home last night, it is minus 3 now!!)
Perhaps I wasn't supposed to send the update I wrote. It was pretty stressed. I will try a simpler version and see if I can send it.
Also, I have been getting messages from different individuals that you are not getting my updates. I am sending them every day to all of you. I don't know what happens. I am sorry about the mess ups.
Yesterday had good and bad times!! It was perhaps my most stressful day yet.
I arrived at the hospital to find Stan's room EMPTY....not even his bed!! He had been transferred from ICU to PCU (progressive care unit.)
At 11 we had the meeting with Doctors, social workers, family members, and two friends (Deryl and Kathy.)
It was determined that we would leave Stan on DNR regarding a "catastrophic occurence" causing his heart to stop or him to quit breathing. Otherwise he is continuing on all support (oxygen, feeding, etc) and a wait and see time. He may be eligible for the LTAC ...long term acute care... here in Anchorage. Kathy and I visited it the other day and it is very nice.
Andy, Isaac, and I had some issues with the "quality" of Stan's care yesterday. Maybe my talking about this made my previous attempt to send an update not acceptable??? Basically it was about the way a couple of nurses neglected using sterile suction methods on his trach.
Kathy took me shopping so I could send things to our grandchildren out of state. This had been a "biggie" on my stress level....I want them to know we love them and are thinking about them, too!!
Stan developed a very high fever in the late evening, his oxygen levels had problems, and his heart rate was way out of control. I wasn't able to leave him until about one a.m. Isaac stayed there to wait for Andy to come get him after work about 2:45 a.m. Andy called me at 2:50 to tell me that Stan's fever was finally down to 97.9. It had been 105.4 about 11 p.m. He was put on a cooling blanket, had ice packs under his arms and in the groin area, and Isaac and I sponged his face for quite a while.
The doctor ordered blood cultures, and they had difficulty getting the two amounts....many pricks for the one, used the IV pic for the other.
I know this is brief...and doesn't even have my "joke" of the day included...but it is now "rush" time for me to get going. I had tried to email you all when I got home about 2, but the internet wouldn't let me log on. I don't know what is going on, but I am hoping I can send this now.
Love, M (It was minus one when I came home last night, it is minus 3 now!!)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
day 34
Okay everyone.....take a really big, deep breath, let it out, tell God "thank you," and rejoice with me a "little."
The EEG shows activity on the left side of Stan's brain. The activity on the right side is "slowed." The MRI has NO significant damage to the left side. The right side is severly damaged by the stroke. The top and bottom areas of the right side look "normal" but they have to travel through the center right to be useful....and since the center of the right side is virtually gone, they may not be able to connect. The right side controls the left side of the body and vice versa.
The neurologist tells me she can see NO reason for Stan to not wake up. She is very guarded and makes no statement that could be miscontrued as a "positive" or a promise. She also emphasizes that he may never wake up, but nothing on his MRI or EEG tells her he can't. She also says that IF he does wake up, it could be partial. The wonderful part is, this is not the bleak picture told to me last night by the intensivist. Tonight we had a different intensivest...who has read the neurologist's report. He said with her statement that the brain is active, he feels we should wait another one or two weeks to see what happens, and then reassess Stan's progress or lack of.
It isn't the earth shattering news we'd like to hear, but definitely better than yesterday.
It was pretty special to have a good friend doing the MRI and allowing Andy and me to watch (while eating a piece of Christmas candy he and his wife had made the night before!! and getting a hug from him as we left the area.....now that IS service!!) It is very comforting to have a friend in "court." Talk about being blessed....a retired RT, an MRI tech, and a few thousand praying friends (those two included in the number) keeping Stan's name before the Lord.....I can't help but think of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life." I can't wait to share all this with Stan.
I do think I'll sleep a bit better tonight.
We will be having a meeting with various persons in the morning at 11 Alaska time to discuss options of future care, financial options, physicians' reports or prognosis, etc. It is a time when the kids can ask questions, voice opinions, etc. I really wasn't aware of such things, but one of Stan's nurses insisted this is the next step.
Nope, we aren't lighting any fireworks yet, but I sure feel more like doing so!
Brian and Angie started my car tonight and then "baby sat" it while it warmed up while I made one more visit with Stan. I am glad I did, too. There were a couple of care items he needed attended to that got taken care of because I was there to mention them. Because the kids were waiting for me, I didn't tarry to help, but would have.
He is coughing up a lot of gunk on his own. While I was visiting with Carol E. I glanced at his "numbers" and noticed his oxygen was dropping too low. I jumped up to check it out, and found the hose about 18 inches or more from the connection! He had coughed it loose.
Oh dear...I cannot stay awake, so I'll tell you my "funny" for the day and go to bed.
Getting ready to leave the MRI area, we were waiting on the lift team. When they weren't appearing, I volunteered Andy to help roll his dad back to his room. ONLY...I said, "Stan can help push." So Dave piped up with, "And Andy can ride."
I am getting silly...so will go to bed!
Love, M
The EEG shows activity on the left side of Stan's brain. The activity on the right side is "slowed." The MRI has NO significant damage to the left side. The right side is severly damaged by the stroke. The top and bottom areas of the right side look "normal" but they have to travel through the center right to be useful....and since the center of the right side is virtually gone, they may not be able to connect. The right side controls the left side of the body and vice versa.
The neurologist tells me she can see NO reason for Stan to not wake up. She is very guarded and makes no statement that could be miscontrued as a "positive" or a promise. She also emphasizes that he may never wake up, but nothing on his MRI or EEG tells her he can't. She also says that IF he does wake up, it could be partial. The wonderful part is, this is not the bleak picture told to me last night by the intensivist. Tonight we had a different intensivest...who has read the neurologist's report. He said with her statement that the brain is active, he feels we should wait another one or two weeks to see what happens, and then reassess Stan's progress or lack of.
It isn't the earth shattering news we'd like to hear, but definitely better than yesterday.
It was pretty special to have a good friend doing the MRI and allowing Andy and me to watch (while eating a piece of Christmas candy he and his wife had made the night before!! and getting a hug from him as we left the area.....now that IS service!!) It is very comforting to have a friend in "court." Talk about being blessed....a retired RT, an MRI tech, and a few thousand praying friends (those two included in the number) keeping Stan's name before the Lord.....I can't help but think of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life." I can't wait to share all this with Stan.
I do think I'll sleep a bit better tonight.
We will be having a meeting with various persons in the morning at 11 Alaska time to discuss options of future care, financial options, physicians' reports or prognosis, etc. It is a time when the kids can ask questions, voice opinions, etc. I really wasn't aware of such things, but one of Stan's nurses insisted this is the next step.
Nope, we aren't lighting any fireworks yet, but I sure feel more like doing so!
Brian and Angie started my car tonight and then "baby sat" it while it warmed up while I made one more visit with Stan. I am glad I did, too. There were a couple of care items he needed attended to that got taken care of because I was there to mention them. Because the kids were waiting for me, I didn't tarry to help, but would have.
He is coughing up a lot of gunk on his own. While I was visiting with Carol E. I glanced at his "numbers" and noticed his oxygen was dropping too low. I jumped up to check it out, and found the hose about 18 inches or more from the connection! He had coughed it loose.
Oh dear...I cannot stay awake, so I'll tell you my "funny" for the day and go to bed.
Getting ready to leave the MRI area, we were waiting on the lift team. When they weren't appearing, I volunteered Andy to help roll his dad back to his room. ONLY...I said, "Stan can help push." So Dave piped up with, "And Andy can ride."
I am getting silly...so will go to bed!
Love, M
Monday, December 17, 2007
Day 33
I did meet with the neurologist this morning and with the intensivist this evening.....
Neither examined Stan at the time, but just talked with me.
They are preparing me for what they believe is the final outcome of this injury to his brain. Neither of them believes he will wake up....
Tomorrow there will be an MRI and an EEG. How I hope there is a glimmer of hope in them. I do appreciate your prayers very much. We will have to leave the decision in God's hands. I have had several beautiful emails regarding my decisions and the need to make a decision. Thank you.
He is no different. His body is definitely alive and healing from the terrible sickness it developed after his surgery. The neurologist did say that the surgery was performed to save his life. It is just that he knew me before, and doesn't after.
He isn't able to quite shut off the oxygen he gets. When it is removed to suction his trach, his stats go down. But he has been breathing on his own for about 36 hours now.
I did give him a pedicure today....something he needed desparately. I survived, too............
His nurse and I had quite a visit today over the Bible. She came in while I was reading. She said she woke up at 2 and was praying for Stan. She recommended the 91st Psalm to me, and I opened the Bible where I had my finger to show her where I had been reading....Psalm 91 !!!!
Love, M
Neither examined Stan at the time, but just talked with me.
They are preparing me for what they believe is the final outcome of this injury to his brain. Neither of them believes he will wake up....
Tomorrow there will be an MRI and an EEG. How I hope there is a glimmer of hope in them. I do appreciate your prayers very much. We will have to leave the decision in God's hands. I have had several beautiful emails regarding my decisions and the need to make a decision. Thank you.
He is no different. His body is definitely alive and healing from the terrible sickness it developed after his surgery. The neurologist did say that the surgery was performed to save his life. It is just that he knew me before, and doesn't after.
He isn't able to quite shut off the oxygen he gets. When it is removed to suction his trach, his stats go down. But he has been breathing on his own for about 36 hours now.
I did give him a pedicure today....something he needed desparately. I survived, too............
His nurse and I had quite a visit today over the Bible. She came in while I was reading. She said she woke up at 2 and was praying for Stan. She recommended the 91st Psalm to me, and I opened the Bible where I had my finger to show her where I had been reading....Psalm 91 !!!!
Love, M
Sunday, December 16, 2007
day 32
And counting!!!!
It is hard to remember what day it is, or how many there have been. It sometimes seems like it all started yesterday...so why am I so tired?? I wish I knew if he could hear me or sense me near him.
I got to the hospital at 8:30 this morning so I wouldn't miss the doctor. She is the neurologist that was very comforting and caring during the first two weeks, before she had to rotate out. I am glad she is the one back on his case, but she came at 8, so I missed seeing her today. However, the nurse did read me her report. At one point she asked me if I wanted her to continue, and of course, I said yes. After she had read all the things I already knew and had observed (i.e. his pupils respond to light, he only responds to pain now in his left foot, he doesn't respond to sound or commands, he doesn't open his eyes, etc.) she then wrote that "prognosis is not good." That is why the nurse asked me.....
She did order an MRI and an EEG for Monday. Hopefully, we'll get some better news from those tests.
Kathy took me to look over a couple of alternative places for when Stan is removed from CCU / ICU unit. He is getting "well" enough that this will happen soon.
She also encouraged me to ask for a Care Conference with the medical staff here. There is one being set up for early in the week. I am to ask questions like "where do we go from here?" Pray for guidance, please.
He DOES continue to heal. He was taken clear off the life support breathing machines today, and was able to breath on his own all day long. He still has oxygen, but no support mechinisms. He has the trach, feeding tube, cathetar, and IV pic....everything else has been removed. It is good to see him without the tubes going down his mouth and nose. He definitely looks more comfortable.
He needs a pedicure....I will try to do that tomorrow.
I do have an actual appt. to see the neurologist tomorrow morning at 8:30.... Today's nurse called and asked for a time that the doctor would be there so I wouldn't miss her. She did tell me to expect to only hear what she had read to me today from the report. I know that, but it will be good to talk to the doctor. She was always very careful to make sure to talk to me each day when she was on call during his first two weeks. And she is the one who gave me her home phone number when she rotated out.
I seem to be repeating myself, so I guess it is bedtime.
Thank you all for your prayers and love!!
Love, M (Yupik Johnny and his brother may get to go home on Tuesday! PTL)
It is hard to remember what day it is, or how many there have been. It sometimes seems like it all started yesterday...so why am I so tired?? I wish I knew if he could hear me or sense me near him.
I got to the hospital at 8:30 this morning so I wouldn't miss the doctor. She is the neurologist that was very comforting and caring during the first two weeks, before she had to rotate out. I am glad she is the one back on his case, but she came at 8, so I missed seeing her today. However, the nurse did read me her report. At one point she asked me if I wanted her to continue, and of course, I said yes. After she had read all the things I already knew and had observed (i.e. his pupils respond to light, he only responds to pain now in his left foot, he doesn't respond to sound or commands, he doesn't open his eyes, etc.) she then wrote that "prognosis is not good." That is why the nurse asked me.....
She did order an MRI and an EEG for Monday. Hopefully, we'll get some better news from those tests.
Kathy took me to look over a couple of alternative places for when Stan is removed from CCU / ICU unit. He is getting "well" enough that this will happen soon.
She also encouraged me to ask for a Care Conference with the medical staff here. There is one being set up for early in the week. I am to ask questions like "where do we go from here?" Pray for guidance, please.
He DOES continue to heal. He was taken clear off the life support breathing machines today, and was able to breath on his own all day long. He still has oxygen, but no support mechinisms. He has the trach, feeding tube, cathetar, and IV pic....everything else has been removed. It is good to see him without the tubes going down his mouth and nose. He definitely looks more comfortable.
He needs a pedicure....I will try to do that tomorrow.
I do have an actual appt. to see the neurologist tomorrow morning at 8:30.... Today's nurse called and asked for a time that the doctor would be there so I wouldn't miss her. She did tell me to expect to only hear what she had read to me today from the report. I know that, but it will be good to talk to the doctor. She was always very careful to make sure to talk to me each day when she was on call during his first two weeks. And she is the one who gave me her home phone number when she rotated out.
I seem to be repeating myself, so I guess it is bedtime.
Thank you all for your prayers and love!!
Love, M (Yupik Johnny and his brother may get to go home on Tuesday! PTL)
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