Not much new today. Dad's blood pressure is still a concern. They got him on the tilt board today and his blood pressure went up so high they had to lay him back down. He's been more agitated today and not as responsive. I think a lot of that is they haven't given him morphine today and I know his left arm has been bothering him since he's been moving around a lot more.
As we prepare for the New Year, I've thought a lot about my hopes for 2008. All I can say is, in the paraphrased words of Col. Potter from M*A*S*H, "Here's to 2008. May she be a darn sight better than last year, and may Dad be home before she's over."
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
He's got heart
On our way home from visiting Dad last night, Joe and I were listening to "Showtune Saturday Night," a local radio program. They played a couple of selections from the musical Damn Yankees, one of which was the song "Heart" and I thought how applicable the lyrics are to Dad's situation.
You've gotta have heart
All you really need is heart
When the odds are sayin' you'll never win
That's when the grin should start
You've gotta have hope
Mustn't sit around and mope
Nothin's half as bad as it may appear
Wait'll next year and hope
When your luck is battin' zero
Get your chin up off the floor
Mister you can be a hero
You can open any door,
there's nothin' to it but to do it
God has given us each an amazing human spirit and promises us His strength in our weakness. I'm sure Dad gets discouraged, as any of us would. But he has so much heart, so much hope. If you've known Dad for any length of time, you know he never sees "problems" only "challenges." He's facing a big challenge, but if anyone is up to the challenge, he is.
Please continue to pray for healing of the pneumonia and that his blood pressure would stay down (it's still up and down, though more down and responding to medication, so that's good). And that Dad would remember just how much heart he has.
You've gotta have heart
All you really need is heart
When the odds are sayin' you'll never win
That's when the grin should start
You've gotta have hope
Mustn't sit around and mope
Nothin's half as bad as it may appear
Wait'll next year and hope
When your luck is battin' zero
Get your chin up off the floor
Mister you can be a hero
You can open any door,
there's nothin' to it but to do it
God has given us each an amazing human spirit and promises us His strength in our weakness. I'm sure Dad gets discouraged, as any of us would. But he has so much heart, so much hope. If you've known Dad for any length of time, you know he never sees "problems" only "challenges." He's facing a big challenge, but if anyone is up to the challenge, he is.
Please continue to pray for healing of the pneumonia and that his blood pressure would stay down (it's still up and down, though more down and responding to medication, so that's good). And that Dad would remember just how much heart he has.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Pass the hot wings
Right now we're watching the Pats/Giants game with Dad. He and Joe (my husband) love to watch games together, so we like to keep up the custom.
Today's been a quiet day for Dad. His blood pressure's still high, so the physical therapist didn't want to put him on the tilt board (it's possible he could faint). Please continue to pray that his BP would come down. On the plus side, when I peeked at the x-rays hanging near his room to see if one of them was his, I was disappointed at first because all I saw were lungs that looked much clearer than I thought Dad's could be. I asked the respiratory therapist if he knew where Dad's x-ray was and he said, "that's it." Yay! Every day his lungs are a little clearer.
Generally Dad is looking good and he seems to be resting pretty comfortably (though just before we got here he'd been given some morphine, so who wouldn't rest comfortably after that?!). He's breathing so well now they've taken him of the oxygen mask and he's back to using a simple nasal cannula (although they've put it in his mouth since he's got the feeding tube in his nose, so in that case wouldn't it be an oral cannula?).
All in all, a good day. Though Dad would probably like a handful of peanuts while we watch the game. :)
Today's been a quiet day for Dad. His blood pressure's still high, so the physical therapist didn't want to put him on the tilt board (it's possible he could faint). Please continue to pray that his BP would come down. On the plus side, when I peeked at the x-rays hanging near his room to see if one of them was his, I was disappointed at first because all I saw were lungs that looked much clearer than I thought Dad's could be. I asked the respiratory therapist if he knew where Dad's x-ray was and he said, "that's it." Yay! Every day his lungs are a little clearer.
Generally Dad is looking good and he seems to be resting pretty comfortably (though just before we got here he'd been given some morphine, so who wouldn't rest comfortably after that?!). He's breathing so well now they've taken him of the oxygen mask and he's back to using a simple nasal cannula (although they've put it in his mouth since he's got the feeding tube in his nose, so in that case wouldn't it be an oral cannula?).
All in all, a good day. Though Dad would probably like a handful of peanuts while we watch the game. :)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Yes, Sir
One of Dad's wonderful respiratory therapists is a former Army medic who served in Vietnam. The first day Dad was in ICU, my sweet husband started bragging (as he always does when given a chance) to Jim about all Dad's accomplishments and his service to his country. Well, now Jim is in love with Dad. He likes to tell people how when he walks into Dad's room and calls him "sir" my Dad's eyes open right up. I've overheard him tell other staff and visitors, "this is a great man."
Well, I'm sure all of you will agree with Jim on that.
As we were getting updated on Dad today by the other wonderful respiratory therapist Amy (wonderful because she always brings me Diet Cokes!), I was reminded again how tough Dad is. His current lung x-rays show clearing in the upper third, his blood pressure is responding a little to the medication, and even though it tires him out, he's been able to work with the physical therapists. The doctor is pleased with how Dad is doing. It sounds like he's confident in Dad's recovery (though it's impossible to tell the extent of what we can expect at this point) given plenty of time.
All of our friends and family are such an integral part of Dad's recovery. Dad's brother Gene gave him a shave yesterday (I know he loved that!). And today my Aunt Jimmie (Mom's sister) and Uncle Jerry called while I was visiting him and I held up the phone so Jerry could talk to him. As soon as Dad heard his voice, his eyes opened wide and his eyebrows shot up! My friend Emmy (a doctor of physical therapy herself) visited with me today and she gave Dad a good massage on both arms to ease some of the puffiness he's been experiencing. And of course I read him the latest e-mails and comments from this blog. I know your thoughts and prayers are such an encouragement to him (as they are to our family!).
Well, I'm sure all of you will agree with Jim on that.
As we were getting updated on Dad today by the other wonderful respiratory therapist Amy (wonderful because she always brings me Diet Cokes!), I was reminded again how tough Dad is. His current lung x-rays show clearing in the upper third, his blood pressure is responding a little to the medication, and even though it tires him out, he's been able to work with the physical therapists. The doctor is pleased with how Dad is doing. It sounds like he's confident in Dad's recovery (though it's impossible to tell the extent of what we can expect at this point) given plenty of time.
All of our friends and family are such an integral part of Dad's recovery. Dad's brother Gene gave him a shave yesterday (I know he loved that!). And today my Aunt Jimmie (Mom's sister) and Uncle Jerry called while I was visiting him and I held up the phone so Jerry could talk to him. As soon as Dad heard his voice, his eyes opened wide and his eyebrows shot up! My friend Emmy (a doctor of physical therapy herself) visited with me today and she gave Dad a good massage on both arms to ease some of the puffiness he's been experiencing. And of course I read him the latest e-mails and comments from this blog. I know your thoughts and prayers are such an encouragement to him (as they are to our family!).
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Surfing
When Dad was first in the hospital, I was talking to one of the nurses about the difficulties in dealing with the ups and downs of his situation. I told her, "I guess we just need to learn to surf." (Bearing in mind that fear would keep me from actually surfing, my metaphor is limited to a landlubber's pop culture knowledge.) In my mind, surfing implies a lot of patience, more than a few wipe-outs, and every so often that perfect wave you ride for all it's worth. It's the perfect wave that makes the rest of the stuff worthwhile.
Christmas Eve was a wipe-out, yesterday was the perfect wave, and today...well, today is a patient day. When Mom and I went in to visit Dad today, it was clear that yesterday's work had exhausted him. The nurse said he wasn't responsive, but she hasn't taken care of him before, so she doesn't see what we see. He was aware and responsive, but clearly very tired and unable to sustain eye contact or to stay awake for very long. He did try to squeeze Mom's hand, though. (And we found out this evening that the physical therapist was able to get him up on the tilt board today!)
The main concern for today is getting Dad's blood pressure under control. It's been up and down and since last night it's been staying up in spite of medication. Please pray that it would come down, and that the pneumonia would dissipate.
Christmas Eve was a wipe-out, yesterday was the perfect wave, and today...well, today is a patient day. When Mom and I went in to visit Dad today, it was clear that yesterday's work had exhausted him. The nurse said he wasn't responsive, but she hasn't taken care of him before, so she doesn't see what we see. He was aware and responsive, but clearly very tired and unable to sustain eye contact or to stay awake for very long. He did try to squeeze Mom's hand, though. (And we found out this evening that the physical therapist was able to get him up on the tilt board today!)
The main concern for today is getting Dad's blood pressure under control. It's been up and down and since last night it's been staying up in spite of medication. Please pray that it would come down, and that the pneumonia would dissipate.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
A good day
Dad looked so good today. When they first took him into the ICU they had him on a BiPAP machine so he wouldn't have to work so hard to breathe and were concerned about having to put him back on the ventilator. But now he is breathing so well they have taken away the BiPAP and he is just getting a little extra oxygen to help out.
Because he was doing so well, Dad had his first real physical therapy session today. He was able to squeeze the therapist's hand twice with his right hand (after the first squeeze, the therapist said "if you only do it once, how will I know if it's on purpose?" so he did it again!). That is a first. He was also able to move his left hand a little (also a first and really amazing since from all appearances that hand was looking like he wouldn't get use out of it again!). The therapist had him wiggle his toes and then got Dad to sit up on the edge of the bed (propped up, but still this is the first time his feet have been on the floor in three weeks!). He was looking pretty tired and they didn't want to overwork him, so they laid him back down, but after a few minutes' rest the therapist asked if he wanted to try sitting up again and he nodded yes. It was a tiring session but wonderful. I was so glad I was there to see it (and help out by holding some of his tubes :) !).
Dad seems to be making a little improvement every day. This is huge. He was able to track with his eyes (the neurologist was concerned before when he would turn his head to look at someone instead of just moving his eyes) and is able to nod and shake his head again. He also seems to be able to open and close his mouth and swallow a little bit. It seems hopeful that he will be able to go off "nose food" at some point (though it's not bad -- the nurse at Jordan Valley let me taste it before and it tastes like soy milk).
Please pray for continued healing from the pneumonia and for increased strength as they get him up and moving more. The physical therapist said tomorrow they're going to get him on the tilt board so he can be "standing" again!
Sorry for all the !s, but it's been a very ! day. :)
Because he was doing so well, Dad had his first real physical therapy session today. He was able to squeeze the therapist's hand twice with his right hand (after the first squeeze, the therapist said "if you only do it once, how will I know if it's on purpose?" so he did it again!). That is a first. He was also able to move his left hand a little (also a first and really amazing since from all appearances that hand was looking like he wouldn't get use out of it again!). The therapist had him wiggle his toes and then got Dad to sit up on the edge of the bed (propped up, but still this is the first time his feet have been on the floor in three weeks!). He was looking pretty tired and they didn't want to overwork him, so they laid him back down, but after a few minutes' rest the therapist asked if he wanted to try sitting up again and he nodded yes. It was a tiring session but wonderful. I was so glad I was there to see it (and help out by holding some of his tubes :) !).
Dad seems to be making a little improvement every day. This is huge. He was able to track with his eyes (the neurologist was concerned before when he would turn his head to look at someone instead of just moving his eyes) and is able to nod and shake his head again. He also seems to be able to open and close his mouth and swallow a little bit. It seems hopeful that he will be able to go off "nose food" at some point (though it's not bad -- the nurse at Jordan Valley let me taste it before and it tastes like soy milk).
Please pray for continued healing from the pneumonia and for increased strength as they get him up and moving more. The physical therapist said tomorrow they're going to get him on the tilt board so he can be "standing" again!
Sorry for all the !s, but it's been a very ! day. :)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas
Welcome everyone. We appreciate all your thoughts, prayers, love and support. I hope this blog will help keep everyone updated a little easier. We will make sure to pass on to Dad any messages you post.
Yesterday was a challenging day, but a very good one. Dad's pneumonia was getting the better of him and he was having a very difficult time breathing. They transferred him to an ICU ward in his current hospital (Utah Valley Specialty Hospital) so that they could give him more oxygen and keep a closer eye on him.
It is critical that he beats this pneumonia. Right now his body is using all its energy to fight that and the longer he has to do that, the farther away any further healing will be. Please pray for God's healing touch on his lungs.
The difficult part of the day came when the doctors informed us that because of Dad's condition the family needed to make an official decision about whether a) we would want him to be put on the ventilator again and b) if his heart failed we would want them to resuscitate him. Tough decisions because, well, who wants to make those decisions, and also because his body has already been through so much and going back on the ventilator, let alone putting his body through CPR again, would border on the torturous. The good thing was that within about an hour of being in the ICU and on oxygen, I could see the difference. He went from really struggling just to breathe and unable to open his eyes for more than a few seconds to the animated, aware Dad we've seen.
Because Dad was much more alert by this time, we were able to communicate with him so we could ask him about his wishes (instead of deciding on our own). To me it's miraculous that even in his state we have "him." Even more miraculous is that in spite of all he's been through and all he's struggling with, Dad was very emphatic that he is ready to fight. When we asked he told us that he is willing to go back on the ventilator or any other necessary measures in order to enable him in his fight.
Knowing Dad is working so hard and loving us still is the best Christmas gift we could possibly have. We pray that all those we love have a warm, wonderful holiday.
Merry Christmas!
Yesterday was a challenging day, but a very good one. Dad's pneumonia was getting the better of him and he was having a very difficult time breathing. They transferred him to an ICU ward in his current hospital (Utah Valley Specialty Hospital) so that they could give him more oxygen and keep a closer eye on him.
It is critical that he beats this pneumonia. Right now his body is using all its energy to fight that and the longer he has to do that, the farther away any further healing will be. Please pray for God's healing touch on his lungs.
The difficult part of the day came when the doctors informed us that because of Dad's condition the family needed to make an official decision about whether a) we would want him to be put on the ventilator again and b) if his heart failed we would want them to resuscitate him. Tough decisions because, well, who wants to make those decisions, and also because his body has already been through so much and going back on the ventilator, let alone putting his body through CPR again, would border on the torturous. The good thing was that within about an hour of being in the ICU and on oxygen, I could see the difference. He went from really struggling just to breathe and unable to open his eyes for more than a few seconds to the animated, aware Dad we've seen.
Because Dad was much more alert by this time, we were able to communicate with him so we could ask him about his wishes (instead of deciding on our own). To me it's miraculous that even in his state we have "him." Even more miraculous is that in spite of all he's been through and all he's struggling with, Dad was very emphatic that he is ready to fight. When we asked he told us that he is willing to go back on the ventilator or any other necessary measures in order to enable him in his fight.
Knowing Dad is working so hard and loving us still is the best Christmas gift we could possibly have. We pray that all those we love have a warm, wonderful holiday.
Merry Christmas!
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