Monday July 22, 2013 - Day 42 in ICU

We made it through the weekend and had progress too!  He is looking better everyday and slowly gaining strength and mobility.

A look of amazement as cheers greet him as he walks from his room.

On Saturday, Paul got out of bed and walked from one side of the room to the other where a chair was waiting for him to take a seat.  He is weak, but is giving every effort to regaining his muscle strength in his legs.  While sitting, Paul will do 'heel raises and toe pointing"  both of these exercises are to help strengthen his ankles and help his calf muscles stretch.  He had a lot of coughing, this is really a good thing as it brings up the phlegm that continues to form as the bronchial and trachea make progress on healing.   Sometimes his coughing is hard to watch as it seems he is choking, but I am getting better at not panicking. 

Sunday started with Paul having his bronchoscope.  Things look better inside too! I have developed enough of a rapport with the doctors and nurses that I am able to stay in the room while most of the tests are preformed.  It has been very good for me as it helps me understand what he is going through and also I have a little bit of knowledge to answer his questions or at least I am learning who to direct the questions to when they arise.  The afternoon was quiet as Paul slept off the drugs that help him relax during the bronchscope. 

Struggling with the last few steps to reach the green tile on the floor.

On Sunday late afternoon they put Paul under "Contact Quarantine" as a precaution because he was having some bowel problems.  They had him tested for Clostridium Difficile.  This is a serious intestinal infection due to prolonged use of antibiotic.  I didn't think anything was wrong as he has not had a fever, abdominal cramping or any noxious odors.  But I followed the rules and put on the gown and gloves before entering his room.  All we  had to do was be patience and wait for the cultures to come back negative, which they did.  I figured with all the antibiotics that he was on, another infection would have to be pretty strong to survive in his system, especially because the antibiotics used to treat the infection were the same antibiotics he had been on for the last couple of weeks.  Even his attending nurse was doubtful, but protocol is protocol.  Later, Sunday night Paul got ice chips and a small bit of cranberry juice to add some flavor to those ice chips. It is always a delight to see him enjoy the small milestones he has achieved.

Delighted in the tasting of food

Monday morning brought Paul walking and talking.   He actually walked out of his ICU room to the nurses cheering him on.   Dr. DeMeester came in and was amazed at how much Paul had progressed in the last week.  The prognosis for the coming week:  Remove the staples from the incision on his back, replace the tracheotomy tube with one for talking, totally off any assisted breathing including added oxygen, if the night goes well, take out the remaining chest tubes tomorrow and get him out of ICU.  Spend the rest of the week in a regular room then possibly be released to go home within the week.   I would love to go home.  Sleep in our bed, visit with friends and just be able to be home...in our sanctuary...our humble abode..... home... where you live, love and are able to be at peace.

Tonight we are praying once again for rest, peace and healing.  In my nightly prayers, I give prayers of thanksgiving to all of you who follow our blog, pray with us, send us well wishes, positive energy, healing light and most of all your love.

Paul and I feel so blessed because we are surrounded by the love of families and friends.

Love and Hugs to all,
Jo and Paul too!