The big news is that tomorrow at 11:15AM dad will have his 3rd surgery. He will be getting the tracheotomy (to see a small but simple diagram of this click here, if I find a better diagram I will let you know).
A trachea is supposed to be better than being on the ventilator in that a ventilator can eventually damage your vocal cords so you will never be able to talk, it is easier for a person to be awake instead of sedated because the trachea isn't as irritating or uncomfortable as having the ventilator in your mouth and down your throat. A trachea can be temporary or permanent depending on the person and how they get along.
With the trachea dad won't be able to talk and he won't be able to eat by mouth. I am really hoping that once this surgery is over dad won't have to be so sedated. I would LOVE for him to be awake. Even if he can't talk he would be able to shake his head to questions and things.
Dad's oxygen setting today was 50% and the PEEP setting was at 50. Because they tried an "awake" trial earlier today dad was agitated and in pain when I got there. They had to change what he gets for sedation, give extra pain medication, and keep playing around with the two until he finally got comfortable again. Then the idiot nurse decided it was time to clean his wound, repack it and do whatever else needed to be done. Of course this got dad agitated and in pain again. I think the nurse was getting tired of me telling her she was going to have to do something because he shouldn't be like that. He was getting settled when I left.
So surgery tomorrow.
Keep those prayers going up for dad and me. We really need them.
Kathy
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1 comment:
Dear Kathy, Gwen sent your blog information to me. We are praying for Uncle Alvin, and you. We are lifting up his doctors, nurses, and other caregivers to the Lord as well, and asking for wisdom, clarity, and endurance for them. We ask for healing, comfort, and a will to live for Uncle Alvin. For you, we ask our Heavenly Father for peace, strength, hope, joy, help from ones He would bring forth for you, and for the Holy Spirit to give you comfort and the assurance that He is truly in control.
Please send to me your email address. Somehow, I don't have it any more.
At a distance, but caring and loving you,
Regina
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