Friday May 8

Last night a little before midnight I got a call from the hospital. They were moving dad into a room down stairs. It isn't TICU (no bed available there) but something they call IMU. (after looking around the internet I think IMU stands for Intermediate Medical Unit, which is a step down from ICU)

The move is good for several reasons. First it means dad is doing well enough to get out of ICU and the nurse he had today in IMU is EXACTLY what dad needs. I know he won't have her everyday but let me tell you she is great with dad. Nurse N is good with talking to dad and getting him to do things. Including -- are you ready? -- getting dad to eat! Yup, dad had his first food in 50 days today. It's all soft foods and mostly like baby food but it is a start. I am so thrilled that he is able to start eatting.

Daddy is still confused and tried all day yesterday, most of the night and most of today trying his best to get out of the bed. His hands are still in restraints which is good because I think he could get himself out of the bed, of course he would fall and land in the floor, but he has gotten both feet off the side of the bed already.

But basically dad is doing really good (from where he was just a week ago). He still has problems with some confusion and remembering the day before. If you visit or send mail he is in IMU room 164.

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me.

Kathy

Thursday May 7

I have decided to stop naming each entry by an update number. I am now going by the day, counting from the day dad had his surgery. Today is the start of week 7 so if my math is right that means today is day 49 in the ICU for dad.

Dad is doing pretty good. Today he is having a bad day. The nurses have been telling me about something called ICU delirium (this is the best link I could find at the moment). Today all dad cared about was getting out of the bed. He offered to pay the nurse to take off his hand restraints and kept trying to wiggle his way out of the bed. He got one of his feet off the side of the bed when I was there. I found all this upsetting. The nurses have tried all day to give dad something to calm him and to stop this behavior but nothing worked for long. Hopefully he will get some sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow and not be so agitated and focused on getting out of that bed.

The doctor has left orders for dad to be transferred to TICU (transitional intensive care unit) as soon as they have a bed open. This is good news. It's step away from ICU and a little closer to a regular room (or perhaps rehab). YAY

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me.

Kathy

Wednesday May 6

Today they put a plug in dad's trachea tube and now he can talk. It's not the same as before I guess it will take a little while to get the vocal cords used to working.

They still have dad's hands restrained. I am not sure for how much longer. I do know that dad hates it.

Dad's memory is horrible right now. He doesn't remember the day before. I hope the Aricept soon kicks in and his memory starts working better. He doesn't remember pulling his trach tube out the other day.

Now he is just getting oxygen through that thing they place up your nose. This is a huge difference from the ventilator and trachea collar. Almost back to normal.

The nurses are suggesting that dad may soon (in the next few days) get moved down to TICU (transitional intensive care). This is great news. That is one step closer to a regular room and to rehab. Right now dad feels like he is never going to get out of the hospital. I keep telling him that if he listens and works with the nurses and therapist the sooner he will be able to get his strength back and the sooner he can get home.

Tomorrow will be week number seven (7) for dad being in ICU. That's a long time.

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me.

Kathy