Thursday April 23

I think today makes 5 weeks for dad being in ICU? I think that is right. One day runs into another and time just doesn't have much meaning anymore.

Daddy is doing a little teeny bit better. The bladder pressure I told you about yesterday was down to 11 this morning. The lower the number the better. The lower the number the better his tummy probably feels.

Early this morning Nurse S said they had to give dad some Versed. But when I was there and they did a major re-arrange him in the bed he did fine. Later in the day when they changed his wound dressing the nurse said she gave him a little Ativan. This is great stuff and it won't be as sedative as some of the other stuff they give dad. Also Nurse S said he is building up a tolerance to the Versed.

Dad's primary care doctor has not called me back yet. I haven't given up on him yet. I really believe he will call me back sooner or later.

Today dad liked being on the CPAP better than the ventilator so the doctor told the nurse it was ok to leave him on it for as long as dad was doing ok with it. Usually they don't do more than 2 hours at a time because they get tired. When on the CPAP dad is breathing on his own. And it is easier to ween him off that than it is the ventilator.

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me, and don't forget Aunt Betty!

Kathy

About forgot, I got another smooch from dad today! Yay.

Wednesday April 22 Earth Day 2009

The Precedex hasn't been working so well. Dr H said they will play with the dosage to see if he can get it to work for dad. The only thing is that one of the side effects of this drug is that it can cause your heart rate to go down. Not a good thing. So they have had to cut the drip on and off because dad's heart rate goes down.

Today when I was there and dad starting waking up you could tell he was getting agitated and I was trying my best to calm him down. Nurse S goes and gives him some Versed. I asked her why because dad wasn't that bad and she said because we can't risk him getting bad before she gives him something. I guess she is right but it really upset me. I was really hoping to be able to calm dad down without any Versed.

They have started measuring the pressure in dad's bladder. The bladder pressure test tells them about how much pressure is in the abdomen. Nurse S says we want a number no higher than 20. Dad was at 18 so they are going to do this test every 6 hours. I don't know for how many times or days. I guess it depends on the numbers.

Today they started dad on Heparin to try to dissolve the blood clot in his right arm. I thought he was already on a blood thinner. I also thought Dr H said they were lowing the dosage because maybe that was why dad needed blood from time to time. I am really confused. But I know he needs to get rid of the blood clot some how.

Dad's feet is swelling again but they are giving him something for that.

I called dad's primary doctor (his doctor BEFORE all this happened) and left a message with his nurse about dad. I asked if he could check out what is going on with dad and what he thinks about the treatments dad is getting. Dr G has not called me back yet but I didn't really expect to hear back from him today. I do think he will call me but I don't know how much he will want to get involved in dad's case. Have to wait to see.

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me. Don't forget to send up prayers for Aunt Betty.

Kathy