Mom wanted me to post tonight. Dad is still about the same as the last couple of days. I just spoke to the nurse who said he is a little more responsive to commands but his movements are mostly reflexes. Ali and Emily have been in here (dad's room) singing to him and playing "thumb wars" with him. Dad keeps winning :)
The respiratory mask is still on and he seems to be resting a lot which the nurse said is good. She explained that they are doing all they can to assist him in this recovery but ultimately his body has to do the work so there are going to be days where he just needs rest. He does still have some obvious adema (sp?), swelling, on his face under the skin that was pulled back for the surgery last Saturday night but is looking better. His left eye is still very bruised from the fracture under it. The nurse earlier today said that he does move his eyes back and forth a little under the eye lids so that is a little bit of a good sign. As always, we will take what little we can get. The nurse tonight (different nurse, different shift) said that the improvements are happening and will happen in increments and that is normal. Any decline(s) usually happen very quickly so it's not a bad thing that it is taking time. At this moment, he is holding a pillow in his left hand and waving it around! It looks like he is trying to play with it or something. He seems to always want to have something in his left hand, either someone else's hand or his sheet or a pillow. Emily left his side for a minute and he started to reach for some of his tubes. We just take his hand and tell him "no dad, you have to leave it alone". He is very insistent sometimes.
I know we say it a lot, but thank you again for your love and prayers on our dad's behalf and for our family. Thank you for your willingness to fast for him tomorrow, we love you!!!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A Note from Kathy
As tomorrow is Fast Sunday- let's all be sure to include Levi, Kelly and their family in our fast.
Oct. 11 3:30
Sorry, I forgot to mention his dr. says he may have a slight case of bronchitis as opposed to pneumonia. Emily and I are going to go get lunch now.
More later.
More later.
Oct.11 2:21
I just realized I could change the font. Fun stuff. So not much change today. They took the breathing mask off and did a deep suction. I'm sorry if I'm repeating some things. He is coughing a little better today. Still very little response to commands although he did wiggle his toes on command for the Dr. this a.m. Maybe I need to clarify something. We talk about how much he moves and the things he does and doesn't do and it can get confusing. He does move his arms and legs and head. He will squeeze your hand when you hold his. He coughs and grunts and can become agitated (as with the Dr. this a.m.). These are mainly considered reflex motions. And while these are good and we feel also an indication of good spinal cord health, we get more excited when he responds to commands. We are not having any visitors right now, except family, as he needs to keep his pressure down (in the brain). It goes up when they have to move or bathe him or perform a procedure. Also visitors can cause the same effect. It has been a full week now so we are looking for the swelling to begin receding, also for him to begin absorbing the fluid that is now being drained from his brain. They are also being very cautious re: pneumonia. another reason for the decision re: visitors. I hope everyone can understand that we don't intend to hurt feelings or be rude. Simply, Levi has to come first. We are so grateful for all the help and thoughtful gestures from so many wonderful people. Most of all we thank you for your prayers. Therein lies the greatest power and service.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Oct. 10 11:40
The respiratory therapist was just in and said the breathing mask is working well. They did do a deep suction earlier today and it has made a big difference. Jen, Steve, and Emily (also Abbie) are here.
Now it is Oct 11 1:00 a.m. Jen and Steve left so Em and I are going to go to the guest house in a little while to get some sleep.
Last night the nurse put my name in for a room so I got one for the weekend. It is like a hotel room with a big common kitchen.
Anyway, Levi's latest check is the same. His blood pressure is 137/80 and his icp (brain pressure) is 6. These numbers are good. He is still not responding to commands but he does squeeze my hand when I hold his. Maybe tomorrow he will be "lighter" as they put it. The surgeon said it would be like this, good days and not so good.
We really appreciate your prayers.
Now it is Oct 11 1:00 a.m. Jen and Steve left so Em and I are going to go to the guest house in a little while to get some sleep.
Last night the nurse put my name in for a room so I got one for the weekend. It is like a hotel room with a big common kitchen.
Anyway, Levi's latest check is the same. His blood pressure is 137/80 and his icp (brain pressure) is 6. These numbers are good. He is still not responding to commands but he does squeeze my hand when I hold his. Maybe tomorrow he will be "lighter" as they put it. The surgeon said it would be like this, good days and not so good.
We really appreciate your prayers.
Oct 10 (I think) 11:09
I just spent 30 mins. writing a post which vanished. So for right now here's the short version. His reputation preceded him so they gave him a heavier sedation and they said it could be 4 hours or more to come out of it. He is moving his arms, won't respond to "move your feet", is coughing again and a little moaning. It has been two and a half hours since the procedure started and about 2 hours and 15 mins. since it finished. Very fast. Just 15 mins.
In case the other post shows up let me correct something- he has a breathing mask which causes him to take deep expanding breaths which will help prevent pneumonia. It covers his face and is clear plastic. They wanted to avoid any deep suction of the mucus because of the facial fractures but they might try going through the mouth to do some.
I am going to post this so I don't loose it again and I will post more after lunch.
In case the other post shows up let me correct something- he has a breathing mask which causes him to take deep expanding breaths which will help prevent pneumonia. It covers his face and is clear plastic. They wanted to avoid any deep suction of the mucus because of the facial fractures but they might try going through the mouth to do some.
I am going to post this so I don't loose it again and I will post more after lunch.
Oct 10 10:22
I found it! Hope it makes sense. Not very much for half an hour is it? I'm using Levi's laptop. Very different from a desktop.
One of Levi's many doctors was just in. As Jen said Levi has not been very responsive yesterday or today so far. They are concerned about blood clots forming in his legs. He does have the inflating thingies (medical terminology according to Kelly) on his legs but as the dr. said they are not perfect so the VCF was placed in the IVC (now we're cooking- it comes and goes). They did plan on only a local for placement but his reputation preceded him. The gave him a deeper sedation which he is now trying to come out of. It could take up to 4 hours but in his condition they don't really know it could be longer. In the mean time he has a breathing mask which covers his whole head. It is clear plastic and assists in taking deep expanding breaths. He has a great deal of trouble with mucus which he is not getting cleared by himself so they are discussing a deep suction. They had considered this a day or two ago but wanted to avoid disturbing the broken facial bones. Pneumonia is a big concern while we wait. Wednesday was a very good day. He was holing up 2 fingers, sticking out his tongue, trying hard to talk, waved a couple of times, says yes, no, and ouch. The nurse was trying to get him to communicate so she asked hi to say yes when he finally did she asked him to say no to which he finally responded. The she said "I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me. Levi, are you cold? Tell me yes or no." On the second request he managed to answer "yes or no". So commands good-processing not so much maybe. It did give us chuckle.
They are talking more about putting on a tortoise shell for his back. Maybe that would allow them to make him a little more upright when the pressure on his brain goes down more. This would allow better drainage of the mucus also. As it stands they are very careful about keeping him at 20 degrees for the brain pressure. 30 degrees is best for the prevention of pneumonia.
I want to publicly thank Chris Mullins for finding Levi and for all his support. I'm certain Levi would have died if Chris had not found him. And I feel Levi will have a complete recovery as the Lord wills according to his blessing.
One of Levi's many doctors was just in. As Jen said Levi has not been very responsive yesterday or today so far. They are concerned about blood clots forming in his legs. He does have the inflating thingies (medical terminology according to Kelly) on his legs but as the dr. said they are not perfect so the VCF was placed in the IVC (now we're cooking- it comes and goes). They did plan on only a local for placement but his reputation preceded him. The gave him a deeper sedation which he is now trying to come out of. It could take up to 4 hours but in his condition they don't really know it could be longer. In the mean time he has a breathing mask which covers his whole head. It is clear plastic and assists in taking deep expanding breaths. He has a great deal of trouble with mucus which he is not getting cleared by himself so they are discussing a deep suction. They had considered this a day or two ago but wanted to avoid disturbing the broken facial bones. Pneumonia is a big concern while we wait. Wednesday was a very good day. He was holing up 2 fingers, sticking out his tongue, trying hard to talk, waved a couple of times, says yes, no, and ouch. The nurse was trying to get him to communicate so she asked hi to say yes when he finally did she asked him to say no to which he finally responded. The she said "I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me. Levi, are you cold? Tell me yes or no." On the second request he managed to answer "yes or no". So commands good-processing not so much maybe. It did give us chuckle.
They are talking more about putting on a tortoise shell for his back. Maybe that would allow them to make him a little more upright when the pressure on his brain goes down more. This would allow better drainage of the mucus also. As it stands they are very careful about keeping him at 20 degrees for the brain pressure. 30 degrees is best for the prevention of pneumonia.
I want to publicly thank Chris Mullins for finding Levi and for all his support. I'm certain Levi would have died if Chris had not found him. And I feel Levi will have a complete recovery as the Lord wills according to his blessing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
