Dad did fairly well last night, although he did have to use the bipap machine to assist with breathing. Also, he has had to use it intermittently twice today. Dad had a really good morning, but has been tired this afternoon. Physical therapy has had Dad up and walking once today which has "tuckered" him out. Dad's pain is still very high but we did take away the IV pain medicine. He is still using the epidural for the other pain medicine. If all goes well the chest tube will be removed tomorrow - yeah! We did learn today that not only is the right lung punctured, but his left lung capacity is at about 50% because of the fluid his body is retaining due to the inflammatory process.
The head MRI results came back negative today, which we are grateful for! We are beginning to realize how patient we need to be with this slow recovery process.
We have been very blessed to see Dad recovering, although it is still hard to watch him struggle. We are very grateful to our Heavenly Father as we have watched medical miracles and seen prayers answered. Thank you again for your prayers and fasting - we have felt them.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 30, Day 6
Dad did really well last night and didn't have to use the bipap to help him breathe, which we were grateful for! He was excited to know that he got a full breakfast today - lots of water, orange juice, and oatmeal with peaches. Dad's lab levels are still looking really good, so they decided to move him out of ICU - yeah!
Later today Dad had an MRI scan to double check that everything was going well. Dad had to be disconnected from the pain medications, so it was very painful to be moved and lay flat on his back. Luckily it wasn't too long and Dad held very still for it. We will get the results back tonight.
Later today Dad had an MRI scan to double check that everything was going well. Dad had to be disconnected from the pain medications, so it was very painful to be moved and lay flat on his back. Luckily it wasn't too long and Dad held very still for it. We will get the results back tonight.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, Day 5
Dad is slowly making progress. All of his lab values are improving. His renal (kidney) function has fully normalized which we are grateful for. His liver enzymes continue to go down- faster than expected considering his liver injury. They are still monitoring him closely for a potential infection, but so far those labs look promising too. His hematocrit (or blood levels) are low but stabilized and he hasn't had another blood transfusion since Tuesday (I think).
His greatest challenge right now is the pain and breathing. They were able to take him off the ventilator on Tuesday night and he did well breathing on his own most of yesterday (Wednesday). However, because of the multiple broken ribs and punctured lung, breathing takes a lot out of him. So, by evening last night, Dad was struggling to breathe on his own. He was put on a bipap machine which worked well and his oxygen levels went back to normal quickly. Today he has been breathing mostly on his own, but they are now using the bipap intermittently to give him some rest as he needs it.
Today they are being aggressive with Dad and have had him sitting in a chair twice and even walking this afternoon. Although it makes him really tired, it will strengthen and help heal his lung. He has also been allowed to eat some clear liquids - he was thrilled! He thought the apple juice was the best darn grape juice he had ever had. Dad is a bit confused and agitated which is probably due to a combination of the pain medications and just the overall trauma, but they are monitoring that closely.
We are very grateful for all the prayers offered and fasting for dad and know that it is largely why he has done as well as he has. We are very grateful for our family and friends and their love and support they are offering! The intensive care doctor keeps telling us that he should be much worse based on his accident. They tell us he is getting better but it is going to take a lot of time and patience.
His greatest challenge right now is the pain and breathing. They were able to take him off the ventilator on Tuesday night and he did well breathing on his own most of yesterday (Wednesday). However, because of the multiple broken ribs and punctured lung, breathing takes a lot out of him. So, by evening last night, Dad was struggling to breathe on his own. He was put on a bipap machine which worked well and his oxygen levels went back to normal quickly. Today he has been breathing mostly on his own, but they are now using the bipap intermittently to give him some rest as he needs it.
Today they are being aggressive with Dad and have had him sitting in a chair twice and even walking this afternoon. Although it makes him really tired, it will strengthen and help heal his lung. He has also been allowed to eat some clear liquids - he was thrilled! He thought the apple juice was the best darn grape juice he had ever had. Dad is a bit confused and agitated which is probably due to a combination of the pain medications and just the overall trauma, but they are monitoring that closely.
We are very grateful for all the prayers offered and fasting for dad and know that it is largely why he has done as well as he has. We are very grateful for our family and friends and their love and support they are offering! The intensive care doctor keeps telling us that he should be much worse based on his accident. They tell us he is getting better but it is going to take a lot of time and patience.
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