|
earthycouple -> RE: To Our Friends...(this really isn't random stupiditiy) (12/22/2008 5:35:39 PM)
|
An update....
e01n is still in ICU. The Pulmonologist attempted a weaning trial today. He lasted 2 hours on only pressure support (which means he was breathing on his own for the first time in two days). To wean, he had to be taken off the Propofol (that's a sedative drip which keeps his heart rate even and ensures he's not tempted to yank out the endotracheal tube) so he was awake enough to hear me and respond with nods and hand gestures. He was happy to hear so many people care, as am I. When I left he was very tired which is typical for someone trying to breath on their own again. We take for granted that we expend energy to breath every day. Then when a machine breathes for us and we all of a sudden have to do it again, we may as well run a marathon without training. It's tough.
He won't be home for Christmas, I know that for sure. Hopefully tomorrow's wean will go longer and the next day even longer then the doctor will remove the ET tube. Once he's breathing without any vent assist, they will determine if his pneumonia is stable enough to let him come home on by mouth antibiotics vs. those via central line right now. The increase in IV fluids and antibiotics have made the renal failure resolve and his output is good and blood work is more in line now. Thank goodness that was only acute. I don't know what would have happened had he needed dialysis too.
So right now, we are thinking good thoughts that e01n's lungs will be strong enough to wean in the next day or two and that while he's there he doesn't get a blood stream infection, CDiff or wounds.
Again, thank you so much for all your support and well wishes.
|
|
|
|
