Wednesday April 29

When I called to check on dad early this morning the nurse said he had had a good calm night but early this morning he got across that he wanted to go home and he started messing with the bandages on his stomach. They had to give him a little sedation and restrain his hands once more. He had the restraints off for 2 or 3 days.

The nurse didn't say I could not come see dad today but suggested maybe I needed to take a day off to rest. I think what she was really saying is that they finally got dad calmed down and maybe seeing me would get him all riled up again. That's ok, I totally understand.

I called to check up on dad several times today. The last time Nurse A said that dad had been calm and then agitated. Finally she had to give him a mixture of Versed and Fentanyl. (I am not sure when they stopped the Fentanyl drip so I was a little surprised when she mentioned this.) Nurse A couldn't tell if dad was just agitated or in pain so that is why she gave him some sedation and pain medicine.

I totally forgot to ask if they had dad off the vent and on oxygen today. I'll try to remember to ask when I call and check up on dad tonight.

Since dad was making it clear that he wanted to go home I would say that he is getting better. I am hoping that once they are able to take the trachea out and he can talk it will be easier to calm him down. And who doesn't blame him for wanting to come home?

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me.

Kathy

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.