Friday, February 27, 2015

Update # 172

8 Years

Even though Jeff continues to be listed as “critical” and as one doctor said today, “he’s still very sick and has a long way to go”, we’ve have some light-hearted moments today with Jeff.

But I will fill you in on the medical parts of the day. Jeff had one episode of vomiting last evening and has had none today. Jeff was not as restless last night but he was given that one med to help him sleep well.

One of the pulmonary docs came in this morning and told Jeff he may begin talking. She said his lungs sound good but still crackly. Jeff will need to cough that “gunk” out of his lungs – machines can only do so much but the body has to do the rest. Pulmonary has officially “signed off” on Jeff but can be called back in if necessary. The whole team of pulmonary docs and respiratory techs were great. Our thanks to them.

A couple of hours later, a speech therapist came in for 20 minutes to do a swallow test with Jeff. I commented that Jeff had not yet been off the vent for 24 hours. He had to answer certain questions, count, cough, try an ice chip, sip water from a spoon, and sip water from a straw. Jeff did well on the questions, count, cough parts but not so good on the chip/water parts. His throat is still to swollen and not yet ready for use. They may try again tomorrow. When the therapist left the room, the RN stated that this test was way too early – Jeff won’t be ready till at least Monday.

Since Jeff was under sedation for so long, it will take several days for all that to get out of his body. He is extremely weak and his talking is really a whisper. Jeff’s cough is also very weak and certainly not yet forceful enough to clear his lungs.

Here’s a little of our funny times today with Jeff. This morning, Jeff’s day nurse was swabbing the inside of his mouth to help clean his teeth and tongue. The nurse said this would be done several times during the day. Jeff said, “Forget about it now and I’ll just go home”. Ken returned early afternoon. His usual sinus drainage had him cough a couple of times. Jeff commented, “Why’s he here if he’s sick”. Jeff’s room faces North and we’ve had the blinds closed these last 2 weeks. You all know Jeff is very sensitive to light with his eyes. He basically has his eyes closed but commented we needed to turn off the lights. I said the lights were off, the sun was shining but we had the blinds closed. Jeff said, “Well, turn off the sun”. (Meridith went to the gift shop for an eye mask but Jeff wore it only for a while.) The nurse asked Jeff if he was ready for his bath – no was the answer. I told Jeff he should follow the care they are giving him. The nurse said – oh yeah this is your first day awake – here’s how you get a bath – no getting up just a sponge bath in bed. Okay that was then agreeable with Jeff. He was resting another time while Meridith, Ken, and I were talking quietly. Jeff’s comment – “everyone needs to sleep”. Okay, we then whispered. Late this afternoon, I was talking with Jeff and suggested he sleep. His reply, “I’m trying to but my bed keeps moving!”. Oh yeah this your first day awake – let me tell you about this fancy new bed.

Yes, Jeff has a long way to being well but we are so pleased to notice a bit more alertness in Jeff from morning till afternoon. We are most thankful to have longer time spans between nurses coming into the room with a few less meds. These are all signs of improvement -- and that is what we are most grateful to you and your prayers for helping us see.

love,

Marcia