Today has been a good day!! Jack (Poppa as we know him) started physical therapy and did 10 exercises at 10 reps each. The nurses had him sitting up again and he is getting his appetite back.
Everyone's continued prayers are greatly appreciated! Hopefully more good news to come tomorrow!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Saturday - Day 18
It's been a good day! Jack is eating everything they put in front of him, and he's been out of the bed and sitting in his chair several times today. We feel confident that time will continue to heal him, and we pray for his recovery, and hope you will too. With any kind of luck at all, he may get out of the ICU early next week, and back into a room on the third floor. (We talk about the Third Floor like it is some kind of paradise, and to Jack, it probably will be).
This will be my last post on this blog for a week. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning (Sunday), heading for Oshkosh, WI and the annual "playground" for pilots. My daughter-in-law, Cathy, will be taking over the posts in my absence, and I'm sure she and Sandra will keep everyone aware of Jack's condition. If you want more information, please feel free to give Sandra a call on her cell phone.
It's been a wonderful end to a very long week, and we continue to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
Chip
This will be my last post on this blog for a week. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning (Sunday), heading for Oshkosh, WI and the annual "playground" for pilots. My daughter-in-law, Cathy, will be taking over the posts in my absence, and I'm sure she and Sandra will keep everyone aware of Jack's condition. If you want more information, please feel free to give Sandra a call on her cell phone.
It's been a wonderful end to a very long week, and we continue to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
Chip
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friday - Day 17
One week ago, there was serious concern about Jack's survival - if someone had told me then that tonight, Friday, a week later, I would be in his room, talking to him, watching him eat dinner (fish, green beans, peach cobbler, chocolate pudding, iced tea), no breathing machine, no feeding tube, no dialysis machine, etc., I would have questioned their sanity. It has truly been a wonderful and blessed day!!
Sandra is staying at the hospital tonight, and just watching her interact with her "daddy" has been a truly heart-warming experience. Sandra is very "tender-hearted", and she has had a tough time dealing with all of this over the past couple of weeks. Yesterday and today, she has cried tears of joy in seeing the almost miraculous improvement he has made in 48 hours. We are very happy!!!
Lest anyone think this is over, unfortunately, it's not. Jack is still very weak, and although the hospital staff has gotten him out of bed and into a chair a couple of times, he has a difficult time standing, and we suspect he will need some physical therapy to get everything "moving" again. Obviously, eating solid food, and being off of all the machinery is going to help, but these things take time, and we have plenty of it, now that he can eat, drink, talk, etc. The renal specialist is still concerned about his kidneys, and he will probably require dialysis for several hours every couple of days.
Stay tuned, and we'll see how things go tomorrow. Jack's two brothers from Virginia, Joe and Larry, will be arriving tomorrow morning, so we have plenty of family around to help. Thanks to everyone for your thought and prayers, and keep them coming!!
Chip
Sandra is staying at the hospital tonight, and just watching her interact with her "daddy" has been a truly heart-warming experience. Sandra is very "tender-hearted", and she has had a tough time dealing with all of this over the past couple of weeks. Yesterday and today, she has cried tears of joy in seeing the almost miraculous improvement he has made in 48 hours. We are very happy!!!
Lest anyone think this is over, unfortunately, it's not. Jack is still very weak, and although the hospital staff has gotten him out of bed and into a chair a couple of times, he has a difficult time standing, and we suspect he will need some physical therapy to get everything "moving" again. Obviously, eating solid food, and being off of all the machinery is going to help, but these things take time, and we have plenty of it, now that he can eat, drink, talk, etc. The renal specialist is still concerned about his kidneys, and he will probably require dialysis for several hours every couple of days.
Stay tuned, and we'll see how things go tomorrow. Jack's two brothers from Virginia, Joe and Larry, will be arriving tomorrow morning, so we have plenty of family around to help. Thanks to everyone for your thought and prayers, and keep them coming!!
Chip
Friday - Day 17
Things keep moving along! Jack had a restful night last night, and seems to be having no problem breathing on his own.
The nurse took him off of dialysis for the night, and the last word was that they are going to put him on the machine for a couple of hours a day, at a much higher rate, rather than having him on the dialysis machine at a lower rate - 24/7 - kidney dialysis is hard on your body, and they feel that putting him on for only a couple of hours a day might be easier for him.
The nurse got him out of bed this morning, and into his chair; he's very weak - a combination of the surgery, breathing and kidney issues, and a lack of nourishment. I'm hoping they get him off the feeding tube over the weekend and onto some solid food, but the nursing staff hasn't addressed that directly.
Again, we are pleased with Jack's progress, and hope that we can get him out of the ICU sometime next week (that's me talking, not the nurse!!) <Grin>
More to come tomorrow ..............
Chip
The nurse took him off of dialysis for the night, and the last word was that they are going to put him on the machine for a couple of hours a day, at a much higher rate, rather than having him on the dialysis machine at a lower rate - 24/7 - kidney dialysis is hard on your body, and they feel that putting him on for only a couple of hours a day might be easier for him.
The nurse got him out of bed this morning, and into his chair; he's very weak - a combination of the surgery, breathing and kidney issues, and a lack of nourishment. I'm hoping they get him off the feeding tube over the weekend and onto some solid food, but the nursing staff hasn't addressed that directly.
Again, we are pleased with Jack's progress, and hope that we can get him out of the ICU sometime next week (that's me talking, not the nurse!!) <Grin>
More to come tomorrow ..............
Chip
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday - Day 16
Thank GOD!! And thanks to each of you for your thoughts and prayers!!
The ICU staff has taken Jack off the ventilator this morning, and Sandra says he seems to be breathing well!
The ICU has some "goals" for the day, and I'm sure they include making sure he can continue to breathe on his own, without any distress. We hope that this change will also help the kidneys begin to function better, but only time will tell.
Now, the scary part - After Sandra saw her dad without the breathing tube, she returned to the waiting room, and there sat a woman playing a harp!!! Now, Sandra has been in that waiting room for TWO WEEKS, and there has NEVER been a woman playing a harp!! Any of you who know Sandra well, know of her intense belief in all things "angelic", and when she call me this morning, the first words out of her mouth were "There are angels here!!!". She is so excited, and I'm excited for her and for Jack.
More to come, I'm sure, as we still have a long road to recovery, but maybe with the ventilator being removed this morning, it'll get a little bit easier!
We love you all!!
Chip
The ICU staff has taken Jack off the ventilator this morning, and Sandra says he seems to be breathing well!
The ICU has some "goals" for the day, and I'm sure they include making sure he can continue to breathe on his own, without any distress. We hope that this change will also help the kidneys begin to function better, but only time will tell.
Now, the scary part - After Sandra saw her dad without the breathing tube, she returned to the waiting room, and there sat a woman playing a harp!!! Now, Sandra has been in that waiting room for TWO WEEKS, and there has NEVER been a woman playing a harp!! Any of you who know Sandra well, know of her intense belief in all things "angelic", and when she call me this morning, the first words out of her mouth were "There are angels here!!!". She is so excited, and I'm excited for her and for Jack.
More to come, I'm sure, as we still have a long road to recovery, but maybe with the ventilator being removed this morning, it'll get a little bit easier!
We love you all!!
Chip
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday - Day 15
Not much to report today.
Sandra and Aunt Peggy spent the afternoon at the hospital, and Sandra will be spending the night tonight.
In preparation for removing the ventilator, the pulmonary specialist ordered a series of x-rays of Jack's lungs and throat. While he was not "alarmed" with the results, he was concerned that they were not what he had hoped for. So, he ordered the vent turned down further, with the idea that if all goes well overnight tonight, they will probably get him off the machine tomorrow morning. We are all very hopefull that he keeps to that schedule.
Not much more movement on the kidney function, however, the dialysis machine did, according to the nurse, John, remove a LOT of fluid from Jack's body today. You can tell that it's working; his face, arms, and hands don't have that "puffy" look, and he has good color in his face. Sandra thinks he's feeling better, even though he can't say that.
We'll hope for more progress tomorrow, and let you know when the breathing machine is GONE!!!
Chip
Sandra and Aunt Peggy spent the afternoon at the hospital, and Sandra will be spending the night tonight.
In preparation for removing the ventilator, the pulmonary specialist ordered a series of x-rays of Jack's lungs and throat. While he was not "alarmed" with the results, he was concerned that they were not what he had hoped for. So, he ordered the vent turned down further, with the idea that if all goes well overnight tonight, they will probably get him off the machine tomorrow morning. We are all very hopefull that he keeps to that schedule.
Not much more movement on the kidney function, however, the dialysis machine did, according to the nurse, John, remove a LOT of fluid from Jack's body today. You can tell that it's working; his face, arms, and hands don't have that "puffy" look, and he has good color in his face. Sandra thinks he's feeling better, even though he can't say that.
We'll hope for more progress tomorrow, and let you know when the breathing machine is GONE!!!
Chip
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday - Day 14
Good Afternoon, All;
Good news - another "quiet" day in the hospital. I haven't been down to see Jack yet, but I just talked to Sandra and Peggy, and they say he is having a good day. The ventilator has been decreased again, and the nurse and pulmonary specialist both say they want to get him off this machine as soon as possible. Jack seems to be breathing well, on his own, and I'm sure they will get the tube out as soon as it is safe (and comfortable for him) to do so.
As always when a patient is on the "vent", the nurse still keeps him somewhat sedated and comfortable, but Sandra said her dad was very awake and very alert this morning. They are truly mastering the art of "sign language", and when the breathing tube is removed, it's a safe bet that Jack is going to tell us what he thinks!!! That's a good thing!!
Not much else to report today - Peggy (Jack's sister from Virginia) is still here, and probably will be for a few more days, and we've had visits in the past couple of days from a lot of friends and relatives, and we appreciate them all!!
Pray for continued progress, and give us a call if you have any questions. We love you all!!
Chip & Sandra
Good news - another "quiet" day in the hospital. I haven't been down to see Jack yet, but I just talked to Sandra and Peggy, and they say he is having a good day. The ventilator has been decreased again, and the nurse and pulmonary specialist both say they want to get him off this machine as soon as possible. Jack seems to be breathing well, on his own, and I'm sure they will get the tube out as soon as it is safe (and comfortable for him) to do so.
As always when a patient is on the "vent", the nurse still keeps him somewhat sedated and comfortable, but Sandra said her dad was very awake and very alert this morning. They are truly mastering the art of "sign language", and when the breathing tube is removed, it's a safe bet that Jack is going to tell us what he thinks!!! That's a good thing!!
Not much else to report today - Peggy (Jack's sister from Virginia) is still here, and probably will be for a few more days, and we've had visits in the past couple of days from a lot of friends and relatives, and we appreciate them all!!
Pray for continued progress, and give us a call if you have any questions. We love you all!!
Chip & Sandra
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday - Day 13
It's day 13, and it's been a VERY "quiet" day. Jack has been asleep most of the day, but he must be feeling better. When Peggy and Don (his brother and sister) were in with him this morning, he wanted to fight everyone in the place.... Don, the doctor, the nurse, etc. This afternoon, they disconnected the kidney dialysis machine (temporarily), and they have relocated his feeding tube from his throat into his nose - it's safer, and more comfortable for the patient.
The nurse (John) said that they are still planning to try to get the ventilator off sometime tomorrow; I'm sure he'll feel a LOT better when that tube is out of his throat!!
Sandra and I just went back to see him, and he's still knocked out. The nurse said they have him on some drugs for his "itching" - just a by-product of lying in bed for almost two weeks.
Tomorrow will be another day, and we're excited and thankful for each and every day and the improvement Jack experiences.
Keep praying and sending your thoughts to the family.
Chip
The nurse (John) said that they are still planning to try to get the ventilator off sometime tomorrow; I'm sure he'll feel a LOT better when that tube is out of his throat!!
Sandra and I just went back to see him, and he's still knocked out. The nurse said they have him on some drugs for his "itching" - just a by-product of lying in bed for almost two weeks.
Tomorrow will be another day, and we're excited and thankful for each and every day and the improvement Jack experiences.
Keep praying and sending your thoughts to the family.
Chip
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Correction - Today is Day 12
Somehow, when we started this blog, I miscalculated the days since the surgery. Jack had his surgery on Wednesday, July 6th. Today is July 17th, so it's actually day 12.
Sorry about that! :-)
Chip
Sorry about that! :-)
Chip
Sunday - Day 13
It's been a good day today!
First, the good news - the ventilator has been reduced to 40%, and the sedatives Jack has been given are much lower than previously. He is much more alert today, and you can tell by looking at him that he's feeling better.
The only bad news is his kidneys. Sandra and I spoke with the kidney specialist this morning, and she says his kidneys are still not functioning as they must. He's still on dialysis, but it's working, and the fluid in his body is being reduced. The kidney doc is still very concerned about Jack, but she is not surprised with the period of time it's taking for the kidneys to get "kick-started" following surgery.
Sandra met with Dr. Snyder, Jack's heart surgeon, this afternoon, and he continues to be pleased with Jack's progress. He wants to get rid of the ventilator sometime in the next day or so, and hopefully, along with that, the kidneys will make a move.
Jack's brothers, Joe and Larry, have left Atlanta and are headed back to Virginia. His sister, Peggy, is staying here this week, to help Sandra and Darcus take care of him.
We look forward to a good week, and hope that Jack continues to make good progress toward his recovery.
Please keep Jack and the family in your thoughts and prayers.
Chip
First, the good news - the ventilator has been reduced to 40%, and the sedatives Jack has been given are much lower than previously. He is much more alert today, and you can tell by looking at him that he's feeling better.
The only bad news is his kidneys. Sandra and I spoke with the kidney specialist this morning, and she says his kidneys are still not functioning as they must. He's still on dialysis, but it's working, and the fluid in his body is being reduced. The kidney doc is still very concerned about Jack, but she is not surprised with the period of time it's taking for the kidneys to get "kick-started" following surgery.
Sandra met with Dr. Snyder, Jack's heart surgeon, this afternoon, and he continues to be pleased with Jack's progress. He wants to get rid of the ventilator sometime in the next day or so, and hopefully, along with that, the kidneys will make a move.
Jack's brothers, Joe and Larry, have left Atlanta and are headed back to Virginia. His sister, Peggy, is staying here this week, to help Sandra and Darcus take care of him.
We look forward to a good week, and hope that Jack continues to make good progress toward his recovery.
Please keep Jack and the family in your thoughts and prayers.
Chip
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Saturday - Day 12
The place looks like a circus!! <grin> This morning, Aunt Peggy, Uncle Joe and Uncle Larry (Jack's brothers and sister) from Virginia arrived, along with Uncle Don and LaFaitha from Douglasville, and Sandra's niece, Devon, from Talladega, AL. We have LOTS of help....... a good thing!!
Now, the REALLY good news!! Sandra and I spoke with Jack's surgeon, Dr. Snyder, this morning. He's very pleased with Jack's progress. He says that Jack's kidneys are starting to work (wonderful news!), and he'll probably be off the kidney dialysis machine either tonight or tomorrow morning. Most of the IV's are being stopped later today, except for the sedative that's necessary for the breathing machine, the feeding tube, and the other drugs he need to continue to fight any infection. Even the breathing machine is going to be removed either tomorrow or Monday!!! This is all VERY GOOD NEWS!!!!!
We asked why he had been given so much blood in the past few days. Dr. Snyder says that when blood is used in normal body functions, the kidneys tell the bone marrow to make more blood. Without the kidneys telling the marrow to make replacement blood, then we have to facilitate the body's ability to do that by giving him blood plasma or platelets, depending on what the body needs. Now that the kidneys are starting to work, there shouldn't be any need for him to be given more blood.
We're very excited about all of this, and hope that Jack continues to improve over the next several days. We'll update later today, and look forward to hearing from any of you that might want more details.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!!
Chip
Now, the REALLY good news!! Sandra and I spoke with Jack's surgeon, Dr. Snyder, this morning. He's very pleased with Jack's progress. He says that Jack's kidneys are starting to work (wonderful news!), and he'll probably be off the kidney dialysis machine either tonight or tomorrow morning. Most of the IV's are being stopped later today, except for the sedative that's necessary for the breathing machine, the feeding tube, and the other drugs he need to continue to fight any infection. Even the breathing machine is going to be removed either tomorrow or Monday!!! This is all VERY GOOD NEWS!!!!!
We asked why he had been given so much blood in the past few days. Dr. Snyder says that when blood is used in normal body functions, the kidneys tell the bone marrow to make more blood. Without the kidneys telling the marrow to make replacement blood, then we have to facilitate the body's ability to do that by giving him blood plasma or platelets, depending on what the body needs. Now that the kidneys are starting to work, there shouldn't be any need for him to be given more blood.
We're very excited about all of this, and hope that Jack continues to improve over the next several days. We'll update later today, and look forward to hearing from any of you that might want more details.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!!
Chip
Friday, July 15, 2011
Day 11 - Late Afternoon
It's been a much better day today!!
Sandra and I met with Jack's primary care physician this afternoon, (Dr. Leslie Norman), and she is very encouraged with her visit to the hospital today. She says that he has been very responsive, and that, although his kidneys are still not functioning as they eventually must, his heart is getting stronger, the ventilator continues to be turned down, and the drugs he's being given are all on the decrease - ALL good things!!!
Pray for a good night tonight, and we'll try to recap a larger update tomorrow.
Chip
Sandra and I met with Jack's primary care physician this afternoon, (Dr. Leslie Norman), and she is very encouraged with her visit to the hospital today. She says that he has been very responsive, and that, although his kidneys are still not functioning as they eventually must, his heart is getting stronger, the ventilator continues to be turned down, and the drugs he's being given are all on the decrease - ALL good things!!!
Pray for a good night tonight, and we'll try to recap a larger update tomorrow.
Chip
Friday - Day 11 - Noon +1
UPDATE:
Sandra, Jack's brother Don Tolliver, and I just got out of a meeting with the Kidney Doctor. She has been seeing Jack since last Monday, but she is mostly impressed with his improvement since yesterday.
Yesterday, he was given two units of blood (the blood becomes very dilute over time, due to the large influx of fluids (IV's) into his body), and that blood must be replaced. With the addition of the blood, his blood pressure went up (just as it should), the ventilator is turned down to 50% now (it was at 100% 3 days ago), and they have been able to remove some of the fluid from his body (which has been a major stumbling block).
The kidney Doc still has some concerns about the inability of the kidneys to work, but, given the stress his body has undergone, she does expect it to be a long process - the dialysis machine is still running, and probably will be for the next several days.
Barring anything unforseen, Jack will probably be in the ICU for at least another 5-6 days, but he is stable, and aware of his surroundings.
Sandra spoke with her dad this morning, and he is very responsive, answers "yes" and "no" questions with a nod, and squeezes her hand and moves his toes when she asks him to. - So, this is a good day, so far!
Continue to PRAY HARD, and maybe this will be the "turn-around" day that we have been looking for. More to come soon.
Chip
Sandra, Jack's brother Don Tolliver, and I just got out of a meeting with the Kidney Doctor. She has been seeing Jack since last Monday, but she is mostly impressed with his improvement since yesterday.
Yesterday, he was given two units of blood (the blood becomes very dilute over time, due to the large influx of fluids (IV's) into his body), and that blood must be replaced. With the addition of the blood, his blood pressure went up (just as it should), the ventilator is turned down to 50% now (it was at 100% 3 days ago), and they have been able to remove some of the fluid from his body (which has been a major stumbling block).
The kidney Doc still has some concerns about the inability of the kidneys to work, but, given the stress his body has undergone, she does expect it to be a long process - the dialysis machine is still running, and probably will be for the next several days.
Barring anything unforseen, Jack will probably be in the ICU for at least another 5-6 days, but he is stable, and aware of his surroundings.
Sandra spoke with her dad this morning, and he is very responsive, answers "yes" and "no" questions with a nod, and squeezes her hand and moves his toes when she asks him to. - So, this is a good day, so far!
Continue to PRAY HARD, and maybe this will be the "turn-around" day that we have been looking for. More to come soon.
Chip
Friday - Day 11 - Noon
Well, another day, and not much more to report. Sandra and I have been visiting with Jack this morning, and he is about the same as last night (which is BETTER than earlier yesterday). His color looks good, blood pressure is good, he can move his fingers and toes, and the nurse says his blood chemistry (i.e. acidity, etc.) is good.
Remember that he is still on a LOT of "support", mostly IV's etc. The ventilator has been turned down a bit more overnight (50% now), which means his lungs are working better, and he's not as dependent on the machine as he was a couple of days ago.
Sandra is still waiting for the kidney specialist this morning - that seems to be the big hill yet to climb - the kidneys need to be working harder in order to help rid his body of excess fluids. The dialysis over the past day has filtered his blood, but when they try to increase the "rate", his blood pressure begins to fall; so sort of a Catch-22, which the doctors and nurses have to find a way around.
Medically, he is still in very serious condition, but when Sandra can communicate with him, she feels encouraged, and so do I. Keep praying, and we'll give you another update later today.
Chip
Remember that he is still on a LOT of "support", mostly IV's etc. The ventilator has been turned down a bit more overnight (50% now), which means his lungs are working better, and he's not as dependent on the machine as he was a couple of days ago.
Sandra is still waiting for the kidney specialist this morning - that seems to be the big hill yet to climb - the kidneys need to be working harder in order to help rid his body of excess fluids. The dialysis over the past day has filtered his blood, but when they try to increase the "rate", his blood pressure begins to fall; so sort of a Catch-22, which the doctors and nurses have to find a way around.
Medically, he is still in very serious condition, but when Sandra can communicate with him, she feels encouraged, and so do I. Keep praying, and we'll give you another update later today.
Chip
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Day 10 Evening Update!!
This is Cathy, Chip and Sandra's daughter-in-law. I just talked with Chip and the news this evening is that he is doing better than he was earlier today. At 6:30 this evening when Sandra went in to see him his hands were cold and his nails were purple. Tonight at 8:45, his hands were warm and his nails were back to the right color. Also, his blood pressure is higher than they would like so they are going to adjust the medicine to bring his blood pressure down some. Sandra did speak with his kidney doctor on the phone the afternoon and she really didn't have anything negative to say, but Sandra is meeting with her tomorrow morning to have a face to face talk with her to see where we are on the kidney issues. More updates to come...Please keep praying hard!!!
Cathy
Cathy
Day 10 - Noon
Good Morning, Again;
Sandra spoke with Jack's cardiologist this morning. His comment that he is becoming "less encouraged by the day" with Jack's condition makes all of us more concerned. He said that if he makes a turn "for the better", his improvement will be a very long process.
Sandra and Darcus continue to alternate days and nights at the hospital, because neither of them want him to be in there "alone". I'm very proud of them both!!
Sandra is hoping to have a meeting with the kidney specialist this afternoon, since that seems to be the source of most of Jack's ongoing difficulties. If the kidneys would start working, lots of other issues would be resolved close behind, but we're not making any progress in that direction.
We'll try to give you an update after the consultation with the kidney specialist, but until then, we're treading water, and hoping that everyone will PRAY HARD!!
Chip
Sandra spoke with Jack's cardiologist this morning. His comment that he is becoming "less encouraged by the day" with Jack's condition makes all of us more concerned. He said that if he makes a turn "for the better", his improvement will be a very long process.
Sandra and Darcus continue to alternate days and nights at the hospital, because neither of them want him to be in there "alone". I'm very proud of them both!!
Sandra is hoping to have a meeting with the kidney specialist this afternoon, since that seems to be the source of most of Jack's ongoing difficulties. If the kidneys would start working, lots of other issues would be resolved close behind, but we're not making any progress in that direction.
We'll try to give you an update after the consultation with the kidney specialist, but until then, we're treading water, and hoping that everyone will PRAY HARD!!
Chip
Day 10 - Mid-Morning
Good Morning, All;
Unfortunately, there's not much change in Jack's condition this morning, from yesterday. His blood pressure continues to fluctuate more than normal, and the doctor is going to give him two more units of blood this morning. The pulmonary doctor says that his blood pressure is being driven more by "gravity" than by the heart, and the fluid that continues to build in his system is creating issues with both his breathing and his kidney function; neither of which are improving as we had hoped.
In summary, the doctors have told us that he is "very sick", and in spite of all that is being done to help him, we're just not making any progress.
Sandra has asked to speak with his doctors today (pulmonary, kidney, and heart), in hopes of getting a more accurate "picture" of his current condition, and what the prognosis is for recovery. We continue to be very worried about him, and we thank you all for your continuing thoughts and prayers.
Chip
Unfortunately, there's not much change in Jack's condition this morning, from yesterday. His blood pressure continues to fluctuate more than normal, and the doctor is going to give him two more units of blood this morning. The pulmonary doctor says that his blood pressure is being driven more by "gravity" than by the heart, and the fluid that continues to build in his system is creating issues with both his breathing and his kidney function; neither of which are improving as we had hoped.
In summary, the doctors have told us that he is "very sick", and in spite of all that is being done to help him, we're just not making any progress.
Sandra has asked to speak with his doctors today (pulmonary, kidney, and heart), in hopes of getting a more accurate "picture" of his current condition, and what the prognosis is for recovery. We continue to be very worried about him, and we thank you all for your continuing thoughts and prayers.
Chip
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Day 9 - Mid-afternoon
Good Afternoon, Folks;
Well another day, but not much to tell you. As we reported yesterday, the ICU staff started Jack on dialysis to help with kidney function, and they continue to try to remove the fluid build-up in his body. This process is going much slower than hoped, partially due to his age, and partially due to his general condition.
Jack did rest comfortably last night, he is in no pain, and the day - nurse says he's doing ok. "We're moving forward at a turtle's pace, but at least we are moving forward".
As with yesterday, the main goals are lungs and kidneys. The dialysis is certainly going to help the kidneys, and his breathing will get better as he heals. The ventilator was turned down a little overnight, but still a ways to go to get him off of that machine. The doctor is not concerned about his general condition, and just says that these things take a bit longer than he would like in older patients.
More to come as it becomes available.
Chip
Well another day, but not much to tell you. As we reported yesterday, the ICU staff started Jack on dialysis to help with kidney function, and they continue to try to remove the fluid build-up in his body. This process is going much slower than hoped, partially due to his age, and partially due to his general condition.
Jack did rest comfortably last night, he is in no pain, and the day - nurse says he's doing ok. "We're moving forward at a turtle's pace, but at least we are moving forward".
As with yesterday, the main goals are lungs and kidneys. The dialysis is certainly going to help the kidneys, and his breathing will get better as he heals. The ventilator was turned down a little overnight, but still a ways to go to get him off of that machine. The doctor is not concerned about his general condition, and just says that these things take a bit longer than he would like in older patients.
More to come as it becomes available.
Chip
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Day 8 - Mid-Afternoon
Sandra and I had the opportunity to have a long conversation with Jack's primary care physician, Dr. Norman this afternoon. She had come by the hospital for no other reason than to check on "her patient", even though she has no other patients at St. Joseph's. We should all have such caring doctors!!
Dr. Norman had also been by the hospital yesterday, and she told us today that she is "encouraged" by his progress. She confirmed that Jack did, in fact, have a stroke prior to surgery yesterday, and that although he may require some physical therapy, the stroke was fairly mild, and he seems to be able to move his arms and legs just fine. Also, the stroke was on the right side of the brain which will not impair his speech - as much as he likes to talk, that's a GOOD THING!! :-)
The doctors started his 24-hour kidney dialysis regime this afternoon, hoping to give the kidneys a rest, and to help rid his body of excess fluids which might be causing some of his breathing difficulties. We're hoping that he'll be a LOT better by this time tomorrow afternoon.
More to come, as we know more ................. please feel free to give Sandra or Darcus a call if want to know more.
Chip
Dr. Norman had also been by the hospital yesterday, and she told us today that she is "encouraged" by his progress. She confirmed that Jack did, in fact, have a stroke prior to surgery yesterday, and that although he may require some physical therapy, the stroke was fairly mild, and he seems to be able to move his arms and legs just fine. Also, the stroke was on the right side of the brain which will not impair his speech - as much as he likes to talk, that's a GOOD THING!! :-)
The doctors started his 24-hour kidney dialysis regime this afternoon, hoping to give the kidneys a rest, and to help rid his body of excess fluids which might be causing some of his breathing difficulties. We're hoping that he'll be a LOT better by this time tomorrow afternoon.
More to come, as we know more ................. please feel free to give Sandra or Darcus a call if want to know more.
Chip
Another day at the hospital, (Day 8) but we're smiling!
Well, there's more to report this morning. Sandra and I (and our daughter, Cindy) spent some time with Jack this morning. The staff has taken some chest x-rays, just to make sure all is well. The problem continues to be kidney function, and they are hooking him up this morning for a 24-hour dialysis session. Jack has a lot of fluid built up in his body, and it is hoped that this session will help eliminate some of that. He is still on the ventilator, and they have, so far, been unable to begin the process of getting it turned down. The heart is better than ever, following the surgery yesterday, so the doctors and nurses will be concentrating on lungs and kidneys for the next 24 hours. When there's more to report, we'll let you know.
Chip
Chip
Monday, July 11, 2011
.... and the good news just keeps on coming!!!
The surgeon has spoken! During the surgery this morning, a clot was removed from the heart tissue, and almost immediately, the heart started pumping like crazy! Jack's kidneys have started functioning (although not as efficiently as the surgeon would like), his blood pressure is up where it belongs, and his doctor said "this is why I became a heart surgeon!!". We are all very excited!!
Even with all of this, we're not totally out of the woods. Jack is still on the ventilator, and if all goes extremely well, they will try to get him off of it tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Once he's off the vent, he can start getting comfortable, and in short order, we should be able to get him out of the ICU. The ICU folks still need to get his kidneys functioning better, and make sure his blood pressure reman
So, keep those thoughts and prayers coming, and we'll keep you up to date as he progresses. As I told him yesterday, we still have lots of things to do in this life!!!
Chip
Even with all of this, we're not totally out of the woods. Jack is still on the ventilator, and if all goes extremely well, they will try to get him off of it tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Once he's off the vent, he can start getting comfortable, and in short order, we should be able to get him out of the ICU. The ICU folks still need to get his kidneys functioning better, and make sure his blood pressure reman
So, keep those thoughts and prayers coming, and we'll keep you up to date as he progresses. As I told him yesterday, we still have lots of things to do in this life!!!
Chip
Update for Day 6
Daddy came through surgery. He is resting and more than likely will be sedated the rest of the day and night tonight. The surgeon took a lot of fluid and "gunk" off his heart so we are hoping this helps Daddy be on the road to a better recovery.
Thanks again for all the prayers, please keep them coming!
More updates to come later!
Thanks again for all the prayers, please keep them coming!
More updates to come later!
Day 6 of hospital stay for Daddy
Hi Everyone!
I am Cathy (Sandra's daughter-in-law) and I am updating the blog per her request. "Daddy" is going back into surgery this morning. He is suspected of having blood clots in his lungs. Long story short for now. They took him for a CT scan this morning because his blood pressure bottomed out and as they were doing the CT scan he started coughing and coughed up a blood clot and the doctor is suspecting that he has more. Please continue the prayers and I will update as soon as I know more.
Thanks!!!
I am Cathy (Sandra's daughter-in-law) and I am updating the blog per her request. "Daddy" is going back into surgery this morning. He is suspected of having blood clots in his lungs. Long story short for now. They took him for a CT scan this morning because his blood pressure bottomed out and as they were doing the CT scan he started coughing and coughed up a blood clot and the doctor is suspecting that he has more. Please continue the prayers and I will update as soon as I know more.
Thanks!!!
Day 5 of Daddy's hospital stay!
Hello Everyone!! Well, today was not the best one for daddy. A lot is going on and all of his doctor's are trying to coordinate with one another to stabilize his blood pressure and get his kidneys working properly again. They have put him back on the vent and sedated him to let him get some much needed rest.
We really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that everyone is doing. Please continue to pray! Please know the phone calls are appreciated too but sometimes I am unable to get to the phone or talk so I am hoping this will help everyone who is concerned about daddy stay up to date on what is going on with him!
With God all things are possible!!
We really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that everyone is doing. Please continue to pray! Please know the phone calls are appreciated too but sometimes I am unable to get to the phone or talk so I am hoping this will help everyone who is concerned about daddy stay up to date on what is going on with him!
With God all things are possible!!
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