Yesterday the surgeon did the Bronchoscope. I asked if I could stay in the room. He said " You aren't going to faint are you?" Silly doctor! Not being a physician, from my viewpoint it looked good. I could see where the repair was made on the trachea, including the stitches that were holding the muscle in place of the repair. The surgeon said everything looked good.
Paul is doing better on many levels... his breathing is better, still a small struggle to maintain good oxygen levels when he moves a lot. The staph infection seems to have cleared according to the last blood cultures takes. The CT scan showed a small bit of air in the chest cavity but not enough to concern the doctors. he was put back on the heart medicines and a beta blocker to help get the heart rhythms under control. Last night Paul was given a try of food, a clear liquid diet. Food will not have any nutritional value, it is simply for the satisfaction of tasting something. He had a small taste of jello, tea, chicken broth and tea. The feast was set before him and he relished each taste with great enthusiasm. The Echocardiogram done the other day was to check for blood clots. None were found so it was just one more reason for celebration in our ICU room.
Last night was rough as he could not sleep due to the rapid heart rate making him short of breath. He is continuing to receive respiratory treatments every four hours. That along with blood work and finger sticks to check his blood sugar was enough to keep him awake most of the night.
Today his heart rate finally went back to a normal sinus rhythm. They have tried a different beta blocker and I climbed into bed with him and took a 30 minute nap holding my hand over his chest, talking to his heart and telling it how important it was to slow down so the body can rest. The doctor on the ICU staff said she believes it was the cuddle that did it not the medicine. I'll take the improvement no matter what or who is responsible. The doctors also removed one more chest tube. A whole bunch down and 3 tubes to go! We are looking forward to getting him up and walking, being mobile will help him gain strength and improve on the outlook of recovery.
In all reality he will probably be in ICU for a couple of more days. His condition is stable as long as the heart rate is within normal sinus rhythm. Everything else is great!
Hoping today will be a bit more quite so he can get some much needed sleep. I have threatened the nurses that I will stand guard at the door and not let anyone in if he is sleeping. I know that can not happen, but it's a nice thought.
Thank you all for the warm loving comments, emails, cards received, well wishes, positive energy and prayers. We are still climbing the mountain and can't wait to see the view from the top!
Jo and Paul
Some doctors/nurses recognize the importance of physical contact in maintaining a person's overall health. It makes little children feel better when you hold them during scary or stressful times. Why not accept that it makes grown-ups feel better, too?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes always.
Great news. Love to you both.
ReplyDeleteMichael
I know how special it was when Dave laid down beside me in my hospital bed last summer. We would watch a bit of TV and invariably both of us would doze off for a bit. Did us both a world of good - he was doing EVERYthing on the home front, plus our work duties, doing laundry for me and bringing it to the hospital, etc. and he got some cuddle time with me, which also helped reassure him that I was going to be okay. I know those naps/cuddle times helped to speed me along the road to recovery. I'm so proud of you both! Keep up the good work and keep on loving each other!
ReplyDeleteBaby steps down the road to recovery. He'll get there! Glad for the good news.
ReplyDelete