Thursday, March 12, 2015

Update # 185

8 Years

“I’ve been workin’ on recov’ry, all the live long day”, could be Jeff’s theme song for the day.

After breathing on his own for 12 hours yesterday, I think Jeff actually slept fairly well last night.

The pulmonary doc gave Jeff an A+ for yesterday’s breathing and requested Jeff now do 16 hours today. So he’ll be on the trach collar with moist air till Midnight. There is also a discussion about when a speaking valve will be added to the trach. It sounds soon.

The 2 infectious docs are still perplexed with Jeff’s colon issues. Even though the C-Diff test has come back negative, they wonder if maybe a pocket can be trapped somewhere so Flagyl has been started.

Occupational Therapy came this morning to help Jeff begin moving his arms and hands. There are exercises we can help him do a couple of times a day. They did not mention how often they will come to work with Jeff.

Twenty minutes after OT finished, Physical Therapy stopped by to work with Jeff. They did some of the same leg exercises as last week. And they again helped Jeff sit up on the side of the bed. Jeff said he felt dizzy and lightheaded but after a minute he said he felt better. PT will work with Jeff 3 or 4 times per week.

Dr. DiPersio came this evening and commented Jeff is doing well. Chest x-ray looks good but it will still be several weeks to get Jeff back to his normal strength.

Jeff is “workin” the best that he can at this moment. We pray each day he improves without any further complications.

Another wonderful package arrived today. Our family and friends are such a blessing to us. We are most grateful to have you in our lives. Your prayers for Jeff lift our spirits.

love,

Marcia