Folks, God is SOOOO good! Let us not forget that Dad is still in ICU, which at face value is not "good news," but his progress is such a testimony to prayer.
Last night his heart corrected itself into a proper sinus rhythm! Blood pressure is a little wacked-out at 150/62, but with all the meds he's on, they are not too concerned. He is on NO nitroglycerin for his heart either! Yea!!! They are only going to use the dialysis machine intermittantly, as he's doing so well. Also, no blood in his urine and no rectal bleeding!
Today's nurse was with Dad when he came in on Monday, which means she probably worked CPR on him even AFTER he was on the heart and lung bypass machine. She said "I am very familiar with what happened to your father," and you could tell she was overjoyed at his current condition. God Bless these doctors and nurses for the care and love they have, and for all of you who are praying.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday Evening update
This afternoon/evening fairly stable. The most significant is that his heart rate is down to a consistent 75bpm, and his blood pressure is at 116/62 (again, NO MACHINES FOR THAT!!!). Great news. Also, his lungs are getting better and better, with him taking approximately half of the breaths on his own and the fluid build-up at half of what it was just 12 hours previous. His heart is in much better shape than it was on Monday evening (no big surprise there) according to EKG.
This weekend they plan on just trying to keep him relaxed (on sedation) and stable to let the body heal. This unfortunately will be a marathon journey, but since the doctors didn't believe he'd survive on Monday, they are all talking very positive and hopeful...which is an answer to all the prayers being made on Tim's behalf. God bless you all for your faithfulness in prayer!
This weekend they plan on just trying to keep him relaxed (on sedation) and stable to let the body heal. This unfortunately will be a marathon journey, but since the doctors didn't believe he'd survive on Monday, they are all talking very positive and hopeful...which is an answer to all the prayers being made on Tim's behalf. God bless you all for your faithfulness in prayer!
November 28th 3pm
They have succesfully taken him off of the pulmonary ballon and he is doing well!! Currently they are planning on maintaining where he is now over the weekend. He has been through several changes over the last couple of days with machines and meds and they want his body to maintain the great improvements he is having. We have a different nurse today then the one we had for the last 3 days, she seems great, so friendly and very informative.
We have had a phone sitting next to us the whole time (1 of 4 in the waiting area) but no one knew the phone number...now we have it. It is: 713-441-3311. The other numbers are still good numbers also (they are 2 others in the waiting room) this is just an extra one that is next to us.
WHAT TO PRAY FOR: Again, his LIFE first and foremost, with quality of life. That dad will continue his improvements! And physical strength and health for Mom, and the rest of us as we are physically and emotionally drained, even with God's blessings this week.
We have had a phone sitting next to us the whole time (1 of 4 in the waiting area) but no one knew the phone number...now we have it. It is: 713-441-3311. The other numbers are still good numbers also (they are 2 others in the waiting room) this is just an extra one that is next to us.
WHAT TO PRAY FOR: Again, his LIFE first and foremost, with quality of life. That dad will continue his improvements! And physical strength and health for Mom, and the rest of us as we are physically and emotionally drained, even with God's blessings this week.
Friday Morning
The Lord is answering so many prayers! Nurse told us this morning that last night was positively uneventful. His blood pressure is now being maintained without any medication. They put him on a feeding tube, and he has not reacted poorly to it (hopefully this will continue to strengthen his body...but they won't feed him Menudo, even though Tom Deliganis has offered to buy some). They took him off of sedation again, and he would open his eyes on command, and his hands/arms are still not quite the reaction they'd like, but he is "trying." He is being sedated simply to keep him resting.
BIG NEWS: The ventilator machine is now at 40% oxygen, which is the lowest they keep oxygen on that machine. He is also trying to take more breaths on his own. AND, today they are planning on removing the pulmonary balloon machine as they believe his heart is strong enough to do everything on it's own!
WHAT TO PRAY FOR: Again, his LIFE first and foremost, with quality of life. That God would guide the doctors in surgery today if they remove the balloon machine, and that dad will continue his improvements! And physical strength and health for Mom, and the rest of us as we are physically and emotionally drained, even with God's blessings this week.
BIG NEWS: The ventilator machine is now at 40% oxygen, which is the lowest they keep oxygen on that machine. He is also trying to take more breaths on his own. AND, today they are planning on removing the pulmonary balloon machine as they believe his heart is strong enough to do everything on it's own!
WHAT TO PRAY FOR: Again, his LIFE first and foremost, with quality of life. That God would guide the doctors in surgery today if they remove the balloon machine, and that dad will continue his improvements! And physical strength and health for Mom, and the rest of us as we are physically and emotionally drained, even with God's blessings this week.
November 28, PM Status
I'm sorry we are just now posting, I think exhaustion hit us and sleep became a priority. The last visit we were present for was 8pm, we felt that mom and the rest of us really need to rest and sleep.
A summary: Dad is still on the same machines and meds. None of his organs are declining they are either maintaining or getting stronger. His kidneys are still on the dialysis, although they are functioning better. They are suctioning his lungs periodically and they are getting less fluid out now then they were 24 hours ago. His heart is still working on its own. He is still in very critical condition but the rest and baby steps are getting him stronger everyday.
Thank you for the continued prayers!
A summary: Dad is still on the same machines and meds. None of his organs are declining they are either maintaining or getting stronger. His kidneys are still on the dialysis, although they are functioning better. They are suctioning his lungs periodically and they are getting less fluid out now then they were 24 hours ago. His heart is still working on its own. He is still in very critical condition but the rest and baby steps are getting him stronger everyday.
Thank you for the continued prayers!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
HOUSEKEEPING ISSUES:
Many people have been visiting, which is such a boost to the entire family. Just to keep in mind, we have been going home at night around 10:30pm, and Mom doesn't return to the hospital until about 10-10:30am in the mornings. Also, Mom is always in the ICU during patient visitation hours, which are 11am, 2pm, 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm (20 minutes each time). So if you don't see her or anyone you know during those 20 minute intervals, we're bedside.
2pm Visit Update: Not a lot of changes. They have resumed some sedation simply to give him rest. Blood pressure seems a bit low, but they said they actually have him on meds to lower his pressure...so they're not worried about it. Heartbeat is still irregular, but again not a lot of concern at this time. They turned his body to do routine checks, sanitation, etc. and said he did not react negatively to it. All in all, no "negative" excitement which is very, very good news. We will take baby-steps for as long as it takes, as long as God returns Tim to us with a quality of life! Continue to pray for his life, and physical / mental restoration. Our prayers are being answered daily!!!
Many people have been visiting, which is such a boost to the entire family. Just to keep in mind, we have been going home at night around 10:30pm, and Mom doesn't return to the hospital until about 10-10:30am in the mornings. Also, Mom is always in the ICU during patient visitation hours, which are 11am, 2pm, 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm (20 minutes each time). So if you don't see her or anyone you know during those 20 minute intervals, we're bedside.
2pm Visit Update: Not a lot of changes. They have resumed some sedation simply to give him rest. Blood pressure seems a bit low, but they said they actually have him on meds to lower his pressure...so they're not worried about it. Heartbeat is still irregular, but again not a lot of concern at this time. They turned his body to do routine checks, sanitation, etc. and said he did not react negatively to it. All in all, no "negative" excitement which is very, very good news. We will take baby-steps for as long as it takes, as long as God returns Tim to us with a quality of life! Continue to pray for his life, and physical / mental restoration. Our prayers are being answered daily!!!
November 27th 12:15pm
Praise God!!! We went in for the 11am visit and they have taken the sedation off. He is still "out of it" for a lack of better words as it will take days for him to come fully awake. He was able to open his eyes when the nurse said, "Tim open your eyes for me". He keeps them open for a couple of seconds but then will open them again if you ask him to, as few seconds, etc. Also she has been able to get him to move his fingers on both hands when she is holding his hand and asking him to, this is not consistant with everytime. When you are talking to him you can see his eyes moving around (under his eye lids) responding to you talking. Also he will do some closed eye blinking. When a friend David was in with mom and they were talking/praying for him a tear formed in the corner of his eye. Also we could tell from when we went to the point of being asleep to waking up some...he didn't open his mouth but you could see in his throat that he was having some gagging reflexes. He did this about 4 times and then stopped and was ok with the tube down his throat.
Last night went fantastic overall, they didn't have to shock him nor did they have to do any blood transfusions. The lung Dr came him early this morning and the nurse told us that as a result of them draining the fluid off of his chest and them having a drain connected to his chest his lungs are performing stronger. So there is hope there that if the fluid retention can stop that his lungs will continue to strengthen. The Cardio Dr was in there when we were at 11 and he said that his heart is beating at an irregular heartbeat although this is nothing to worry about. They are not going to shock him to change it because his heartrate is still normal (on his own) and other vital signs are doing well and stable....YES he actually used the word stable...first time. Of course things are still very critical and he is still on alot of machines as before (that hasn't changed from last night) but it was great to hear that word! They said that over a few days his heart could adust itself and so with things going so well they are going to give it that chance.
Well I hope I have remembered everything. Thank you for the continued prayer! Please keep up the prayers, support, visits, etc! Praise God!!!!!
Last night went fantastic overall, they didn't have to shock him nor did they have to do any blood transfusions. The lung Dr came him early this morning and the nurse told us that as a result of them draining the fluid off of his chest and them having a drain connected to his chest his lungs are performing stronger. So there is hope there that if the fluid retention can stop that his lungs will continue to strengthen. The Cardio Dr was in there when we were at 11 and he said that his heart is beating at an irregular heartbeat although this is nothing to worry about. They are not going to shock him to change it because his heartrate is still normal (on his own) and other vital signs are doing well and stable....YES he actually used the word stable...first time. Of course things are still very critical and he is still on alot of machines as before (that hasn't changed from last night) but it was great to hear that word! They said that over a few days his heart could adust itself and so with things going so well they are going to give it that chance.
Well I hope I have remembered everything. Thank you for the continued prayer! Please keep up the prayers, support, visits, etc! Praise God!!!!!
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