Monday March 30

Where to start?

Yesterday they did another breathing test on dad. They basically had him breathing on his own for about 3 hours. The test was supposed to have lasted only 2 hours so I don't know why they let it go so long. Three hours sounds good but....when I went in to see him today they had his oxygen up to 50% AND they upped the PEEP back up to 8. So it sounds like the 3 hours was too long and really wore him out.

Today instead of doing the same breathing test they are trying something different. He has been sedated ever since his surgery so today they are stopping the sedation (but keeping the vent as is) to see how he does on the vent while awake. The reason for this is to try to do away with any unnecessary medicine. It would be better for dad to do away with the sedation IF he doesn't get too upset or agitated. The nurse said it could tomorrow or longer before the effects of the sedation totally wear off. When I left the hospital his eyes were open but he wasn't responding to me. I just called the hospital and his nurse said he is trying to squeeze her hand and wiggle his toes.

And some bad news. Well I guess it isn't real bad considering how things are going. They scanned both of dad's arms because of all the swelling. A DVT which is a type of blood clot. It is at or close to where dad's PIC Line is in his upper right arm. I had to give permission for them to take it out and put another one in in his left arm. They are giving dad some blood thinners and the fact that he isn't moving around the nurse sounds optimistic that there shouldn't be any problems. She said it isn't unusual for this to happen. I am taking her word for it. I have to. If you read about DVT you will worry yourself to death. I am trying to be causiously optimist about everything.

Keep those prayers going up for daddy and me.

Kathy

[maybe the blodclot is why dad's right hand is so very swollen? that with all the fluid retenton?]