Paul had a Bronchoscop this morning at 6:30 am to clean out the fluid that is in his lungs. There is a small leak in the repair.
9:30 am they did another bronchoscope. Dr. DeMeester would like him off the ventilator but the ICU doctor feels that he needs to be on it a bit longer to build up his strenght.
He has had a fever on and off all day. The nurse put ice packs under each arm and behind his neck to help bring it down. They now have him under a cooling blanket.
5:30 pm Dr. DeMeester made rounds and ordered a chest xray as he did not like the look of Paul's breathing. The chest x ray did not show any damage to the diaphragm. If they take Paul off the ventilator and he needs assisted breathing again, they will have to do a tracheotomy.
They have Paul on several antibiotics and are doing repeat blood and lung cultures. They do not know what is causing the infection.
8:00 pm tonight they did another bronchoscope. I asked the doctor "Every time you do a Bronchoscopy, doesn't that open him up to infection?" Dr. Tatum said "Yes, but we need to get the fluid out of his lungs, as long as he is on the ventilator he can not cough it up" Seems like a catch twenty two......damned if we do and damned if we don't.
Paul's temp is back up to 103 degrees. After the last bronchoscopy his blood pressure dropped very low. The doctor will be putting in an A-Line to give more meds.
I am going to climb in bed and hold him because I can not do anything else.
Jo
Hang in there...hope you can get some rest. Tomorrow is Independence Day...wouldn't it be great if Paul turns a corner and gets off the vent? That would be Independence!
ReplyDeletePriceless!
DeleteSending love and prayers.
ReplyDeletehold him very close and soothe him with strokes that you can only give to him.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Cuddling in bed is the best therapy for the both of you.
ReplyDeleteRemember he told you that he was "one Stubborn Bastard"! He sure is and giving it one hellacious fight.
xoxo and prayers,
Susan
Been thinking of both of you all week -- I'm praying for improvement and comfort.
ReplyDeleteLove you both, Mym
My heart aches for you, but I just know there is light at the end of the tunnel. My uncle lost his tongue and esophagus about 20 years ago. He went through a lot but is doing well. I pray for the same for Paul. Jo, hang in there, you are a really great person and I know God is with you all the way in this journey. Our prayers are with you, Coke
ReplyDeleteDear Jo, your presence with him is his best therapy. He has your love and he knows it in body, mind and spirit. You also have his.
ReplyDeleteI so wish you all did not have to go through all this.
Carla
Susie and I are sitting here at the Sales Office reading your posts. Our hearts are aching for you both. We are praying hard that all comes out well when this is over. Please know we both love you so very much.
ReplyDeleteOn a happy note, they're working on your house getting the addition started. Hopefully you can move in really soon... :)
Love ya both/cindy & susie
Our thoughts & prayers are with you both. Tell Paul it won't be long before I'm back sailing & looking forward to seeing him out there with his boat, and the peace & tranquility that sailing offers.
ReplyDelete