We arrived to find Joy sitting in a chair and absent of the dreaded ventilator. She warned me that she is not going back on the vent regardless of the consequences. She was breathing on her own sufficient that they were willing to remove it but cautioned her that she must absolutely be able to breath deep and exhale to rid her body of higher than desired carbon dioxide levels. She has two different breathing type instruments to help measure her progress. She still has supplemental oxygen. Joy completed at least one long walk today that I know of but the doctor told her that distance and frequency is paramount to her recovery and to keep her new lungs healthy. Insulin IV was introduced today to counter the effects of the type of prednisone and other meds she is taking. Pain levels have been minimal except for a couple brief episodes today possibly associated to the area of the drainage tubes in her back. Her doctor told me that she is about one step behind in the process partially created by the reintroduction of the ventilator and immobility issues. I can tell the imbalance of O2 and CO2 coupled with all of the new meds have impacted her comprehension / processing somewhat but I learned in one of the support groups that variations of this are expected and will dissipate over next few weeks.
We are hoping for a good night and get her off to a fresh start tomorrow and see more activity from her. She appears to be understandably pretty weak and her voice remains fairly weak and sounds like someone talking that is out of breath. The stomach feeding tube is working properly and she does not complain of hunger and ice chips are a delicacy. No apparent infections or rejection issues at this time. Movement to a step down unit may come early next week but with the one on one care she is getting, that is OK. She will probably be in the hospital a month, so there is no point being in a hurry. Moving to the step down unit will give me more flexibility in visiting her.
So for the next day or so, it is deep breathing, walking and chair sitting. Exciting?
Thanks for the many messages and well wishes and all of these will be passed on to Joy in due time.
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2 comments:
Good morning, Joy, Wayne, Kayce, and family!
Thank you, Wayne--that's good news today! We're so glad to hear it. I thought of that old hymn, "Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew..." Tell Joy to think of that when she is having trouble with the breathing! My friend Joan has placed you on the prayer list at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Zurich, Joy. That means you are mentioned by name at every mass, every rosary, every I-don't-know-what-all-else. That's a lot of prayers! And of course Kingswood is praying for you too. As are we. Hope today will be a good day!
Love,
Ruth and Miles
Joy and Wayne
The blog site is wonderful. You are doing a great job, Wayne, with all your worries and cares. I will be relaying your blogs at the reunion on the 14th. We are sorry you will not be there in person, but certainly you will be there in our thoughts. Thank you for such wonderful updates. Joy, keep up the progress. You are in my prayers.
Elaine
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