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.

Monday April 20

I finally found out the results of the latest CT scan. And they are ---- nothing. Yup, it didn't show up any infection deep inside that would need attention. Dad's wound does have some oozing pus (according to Dr H) but evidently that is not what is causing dad's low grade fever. Still waiting for cultures to come back.

I asked Dr H (who is the ICU rotating doctor) about one of the medicines they are giving dad. It's called Versed. They have been giving it to dad when he gets really agitated. It does calm him down but it also sedates him which on top of his pain medicine (Fentinal) -- which also has a sedating effect -- has him sleeping more than I think he should be. They say they want him awake but yet the medicines they give him make him sleep, AND I just read that Versed can give the patient a hangover effect. No wonder dad doesn't seem to be aware of everything going on, they are keeping him too drugged. I don't doubt that dad needs this medicine but I think they could reduce the dose or find another drug to calm him without sedating him so much. Dr H said it was something to consider and asked how sleepy the Versed made dad. I just pointed to dad who was asleep through us talking and machines beeping which the doctor found interesting. I saw him write something in dad's chart but I don't know if he is going to change anything or wait for dad's surgeon Dr B to make the call. I do intend to stay on top of this because I don't think it is good for dad in the long run and (I didn't mention to anyone at the hospital) I can't help but wonder if the nurses aren't giving it a little to freely so they don't have to deal with dad, it seems like every time I call to check up on dad they tell me they have had to give him some Versed. Maybe they aren't giving it to him all that often but it sure seems like it.

This afternoon when I went to see dad he was more awake and I know he recognized me because he puckered up and gave me a kiss, he also squeezed my hand several times. He doesn't follow commands all the time and sometimes I wonder if he realizes it's me so when he does the puckering thing I KNOW he knows. And it REALLY makes me feel good.

Oh, Dr H said dad still has pneumonia (I thought it would be gone by now)

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me. Remember Aunt Betty in your prayers also.

Kathy

Sunday April 19

Dad was pretty alert when I saw him this morning. He communicated to me by puckering up his lips as if to give me a kiss. It made me feel so good.

Last night sometime dad's heart starting beating erratically. They had to give him some medicine for this (Cardizem I THINK that is what the nurse said, I could have the wrong drug here) which got his heart beating "on rhythm" again. The are slowly reducing the amount he is getting until they get him off of it.

They took dad for a CT scan of his abdomen/stomach this afternoon. He has been running a low fever and they are still trying to find out why. They have taken more cultures but decided to do a scan to be sure there is/was nothing going on in there. I probably won't get the results until tomorrow. The nurse said if it was something bad I would have heard by now.

Dad is getting better. Slowly but surely.

Please remember to keep prayers going up for dad and me.
Don't forget the prayers for Aunt Betty.

Kathy