Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday ,December 29
Tomorrow Chuck is suppose to go to Rehab at Evergreen Manor in Saco . He will probably be there for at least two weeks. He is not real happy with the idea but knows that it is necessary and is one step closer to being back home.Tomorrow marks four weeks in the hospital---God is so good---Chuck is making remarkable progress!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
December 28th
As of last night Dad is out of the Special Care Unit and has been moved to room 322.
Today he was up walking and sitting. This afternoon the doctors took out the central line. He is no longer receiving nutrition via IV since he is able to eat a full (yet pureed) diet. He is still getting the antibiotics and the Coumiden (sp) for the blood clots.
The doctors are very happy with his progress this week and think he could be release by the end of the week or beginning of next week. We don't know about rehab yet. We would love to see him be able to come home and for Mom to be able to care for him, but understand that we need to do what is best for him.
Today he was up walking and sitting. This afternoon the doctors took out the central line. He is no longer receiving nutrition via IV since he is able to eat a full (yet pureed) diet. He is still getting the antibiotics and the Coumiden (sp) for the blood clots.
The doctors are very happy with his progress this week and think he could be release by the end of the week or beginning of next week. We don't know about rehab yet. We would love to see him be able to come home and for Mom to be able to care for him, but understand that we need to do what is best for him.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Day
Merry Christmas!
We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present then to have Dad feeling better and making strides toward coming home!
By the time we went in to visit this evening, Dad was up sitting in his chair for the third time today. He looked great, said that he had little pain and was eating his supper. The nurse also said that he had been up standing (with a walker) while she straightened his bed. She told Mom that Dad was very determined.
My children got to go in to see their Papa last night and again this evening. I think that it helped to put their nerves at ease by seeing that he was doing okay.
When we left him this evening he was watching a special on the life of Jesus. A perfect ending to a wonderful day.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
December 23rd, PM Update
A good day today, with only a few minor concerns. He is hallucinating a little, but we think that it is probably something to do with his meds. He did the same thing after his last surgery and it was because he was not getting one of the medicines he needs for the Parkinson's Disease.
He started eating this evening. Pureed foods to start and then will gradually work up to some good stuff. ;-) He was also up sitting again this evening.
He started eating this evening. Pureed foods to start and then will gradually work up to some good stuff. ;-) He was also up sitting again this evening.
Prayer Request
The scan this morning showed that Dad has developed blood clots in his lungs. Common after surgery, but still a concern. They have started him on Cumaden to clear them up. Please pray that it doesn't become a problem.
December 23
Mom called from the hospital around 9am and said that when she got there Dad was sitting up in a chair and had been there since 5:30am! Praise God! He was getting pretty tired and they were just getting ready to take him down for a scan of his abdomen.
Please continue to pray that the doctor will start to hear sounds from the bowels.
On a side note, please pray that my kids will stay free of colds this week. They really want to go into see Papa (they haven't seen him since he went into the hospital), but I can't take them in if they are sick.
Please continue to pray that the doctor will start to hear sounds from the bowels.
On a side note, please pray that my kids will stay free of colds this week. They really want to go into see Papa (they haven't seen him since he went into the hospital), but I can't take them in if they are sick.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Fox News
Well much to Mom's chagrin, Dad was feeling better enough this afternoon to watch Fox News.
Dad had a very good day today. His vitals were good all day. He was talking with Mom, doing his exercises and asked to have the tv turned on.
Mom was able to talk with Dr. Price this evening and he said he was "very encouraged" at the progress that Dad was making. The incision area is infected, but he feels that the antibiotics that Dad is on will take care of it.
They still hear no bowel signs, but there is nothing coming out thru the ng tube, so Dr. Price pulled the tube this evening. He told Mom that because nothing was coming out of the ng tube the bowels must be starting to work.
Mom asked about how long Dad would be in SCU and the doctor said that he was in no hurry to move him out. The one on one care is what he needs right now, and I agree completely!
All in all a VERY encouraging day.
PRAISE:
Dad had a very good day today. His vitals were good all day. He was talking with Mom, doing his exercises and asked to have the tv turned on.
Mom was able to talk with Dr. Price this evening and he said he was "very encouraged" at the progress that Dad was making. The incision area is infected, but he feels that the antibiotics that Dad is on will take care of it.
They still hear no bowel signs, but there is nothing coming out thru the ng tube, so Dr. Price pulled the tube this evening. He told Mom that because nothing was coming out of the ng tube the bowels must be starting to work.
Mom asked about how long Dad would be in SCU and the doctor said that he was in no hurry to move him out. The one on one care is what he needs right now, and I agree completely!
All in all a VERY encouraging day.
PRAISE:
- The pneumonia appears to be gone and only a little fluid remains in his lungs. He is only .2 kg heavier in fluid then when he went to SCU.
- The ng tube is out.
- For the infection in the incision to clear up soon and need no further intervention.
- For the bowels to start working. He can't have his Parkinson's meds until they do.
- For pain control.
- For continued strength and safety in travel for Mom as she travels to and from Biddeford.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
December 22- Late night
Mom got a call from the hospital at about 8pm tonight saying that she needed to come in because Dad had a very high heart rate and his blood pressure was also very high.
We got in there and they did an EKG, blood oxygen level and xrays. Everything looked good. The xray showed that nothing had really changed.
The nurse and respiratory therapist think that it was an anxiety attack. They switched his oxygen mask to a smaller one thinking that it may have contributed to the attack.
He was resting when we left.
We got in there and they did an EKG, blood oxygen level and xrays. Everything looked good. The xray showed that nothing had really changed.
The nurse and respiratory therapist think that it was an anxiety attack. They switched his oxygen mask to a smaller one thinking that it may have contributed to the attack.
He was resting when we left.
December 21st, PM update
A good day, all in all, for Dad. (and Mom). We got into the hospital around 10:15 this morning. (I don't move very fast in the mornings) When we got there they had already turned off the ventilator and Dad was breathing completely on his own. They waited for a couple of hours and then decided that everything looked good and they removed the breathing tubes. His was breathing pretty fast (normal from what they told us) and they had him on oxygen, but he was talking, in a very hoarse voice, and ready to sit up a bit more by 3pm. That was extrememly encouraging!
The nurse indicated that they would be doing another x-ray of the lungs tomorrow.
Mom was able to talk with Dr. Price this afternoon. He said that there is an infection in the incision site, but they will keep an eye on it.
The bowels have not made any noises today, but Dr. Price said that it could awhile. He said they would wait until tomorrow nite and if there is still no activity he will order a CAT scan to make sure there is nothing else going on.
The nurse indicated that they would be doing another x-ray of the lungs tomorrow.
Mom was able to talk with Dr. Price this afternoon. He said that there is an infection in the incision site, but they will keep an eye on it.
The bowels have not made any noises today, but Dr. Price said that it could awhile. He said they would wait until tomorrow nite and if there is still no activity he will order a CAT scan to make sure there is nothing else going on.
Monday, December 20, 2010
December 20th, PM update
Dad's condition hasn't changed much during the day. The epidural is out, which is increasing the pain that he has. They are still giving him IV pain meds that keep him heavily sedated.
Mom talked with the nurse tonight and found out that there is now pneumonia in both lungs. However, the doctor started him on a fluid pill to help his body get rid of all the excess fluids that it has. They drained more than 4 litres of fluid from him today. That is a good thing and should help his lungs. The nurse said that his lungs sounded better tonite then they did this morning! That is very good to hear!
There is also a possible infection in the incision.
They are going to start weaning him off the ventilator tomorrow. Please pray that this goes well. His oxygen levels are low, which is a concern.
Mom manged to get home before the snow hit too hard. She prayed that it would hold off until 3pm (when she would be leaving) and when she looked out at 3 she saw the first flake. God is good!
Thank you everyone for your prayers!
Mom talked with the nurse tonight and found out that there is now pneumonia in both lungs. However, the doctor started him on a fluid pill to help his body get rid of all the excess fluids that it has. They drained more than 4 litres of fluid from him today. That is a good thing and should help his lungs. The nurse said that his lungs sounded better tonite then they did this morning! That is very good to hear!
There is also a possible infection in the incision.
They are going to start weaning him off the ventilator tomorrow. Please pray that this goes well. His oxygen levels are low, which is a concern.
Mom manged to get home before the snow hit too hard. She prayed that it would hold off until 3pm (when she would be leaving) and when she looked out at 3 she saw the first flake. God is good!
Thank you everyone for your prayers!
December 20th
Mom just called from the hospital to say that there wasn't much change from yesterday. Dad is still running a low grade fever and fighting the pneumonia. He did try to pull out the ventilator tube last night, but the nurse caught him and gave him a stern talking to.
There were hopes of starting to wean him off the ventilator today, but due to low oxygen levels, they want to wait.
They removed the epidural this morning. They are also going to start PT with him this morning to help with the back/shoulder/neck pain.
Mom hopes to get to talk with Dr. Price this afternoon.
Prayer Requests:
There were hopes of starting to wean him off the ventilator today, but due to low oxygen levels, they want to wait.
They removed the epidural this morning. They are also going to start PT with him this morning to help with the back/shoulder/neck pain.
Mom hopes to get to talk with Dr. Price this afternoon.
Prayer Requests:
- That the antibiotics will start to clear the pneumonia.
- That his oxygen levels will increase and they can take him off the ventilator.
- For relief from the chronic pain.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, December 19th
Praise: After 11 days, the nurses have heard noises in the bowels.
Dad's condition is about the same. Still fighting the pneumonia in one lung. They have him on a new antibiotic and are hopefully that it will work. They still have him on the ventilator, but hope to get him off soon.
He is on a lot of pain meds to control the pain that he is having. He is heavily sedated, but is aware of people being in the room with him. However, they want to limit the amount of people in his room; they don't want the stimulation.
Dad's condition is about the same. Still fighting the pneumonia in one lung. They have him on a new antibiotic and are hopefully that it will work. They still have him on the ventilator, but hope to get him off soon.
He is on a lot of pain meds to control the pain that he is having. He is heavily sedated, but is aware of people being in the room with him. However, they want to limit the amount of people in his room; they don't want the stimulation.
Technology
In an effort to keep family and friends updated on Chuck's progress, we have started this blog. We'll try to update it on a daily basis with the latest news.
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