Dad's surgery went well. They didn't find an abscess and they determined the radiologist read the film wrong. It was a tube that they had inserted that the radiologist saw. Idiot. Anyway, he pulled through nicely.
He is currently weaning. Martha said he has been wide awake more than a few times since his surgery. He is sleeping now. Im sure they have him on even more pain meds, which is actually exciting if he is that doped up and able to breath on his own.
I got a call back from Tom Harkin's office. I will give that lady a call back later and see what she has to say.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Surgery
Dad is scheduled for his colostomy tomorrow. The plastic surgeon came and looked at the abscess and it is more in the peri-rectal area, so he didnt want to touch it and referred it back to the surgeon to see if he wanted to drain it. I am sure he has it because his last name is Shoning and not from the bed sore. :-)
They say that his wound looks a ton better now than it did when he came in. All pink, fresh tissue.
They are giving him a new diuretic that I guess is given to people who are specifically on ventilators. Makes them a bit more successful at weaning. Must have some sort of lung properties in it. They are weaning him 6 hours on, then a few hours off now. It helps him build stamina.
He is also getting physical therapy daily, but he is so puffy with fluid now, its hard to do it. He is back up to almost 300 pounds again. That is a lot of fluid.
That's all I have for now.
They say that his wound looks a ton better now than it did when he came in. All pink, fresh tissue.
They are giving him a new diuretic that I guess is given to people who are specifically on ventilators. Makes them a bit more successful at weaning. Must have some sort of lung properties in it. They are weaning him 6 hours on, then a few hours off now. It helps him build stamina.
He is also getting physical therapy daily, but he is so puffy with fluid now, its hard to do it. He is back up to almost 300 pounds again. That is a lot of fluid.
That's all I have for now.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Poppa
Coleman and I went to be with him yesterday. He really seems to have a sense of peace about him now, like he feels okay being where he is.
He was pretty sleepy most of the day. He is on a really strong pain patch and is getting morphine also to suppplement the remaining pain. He sill complains that his shoulder hurts. He really wanted a lot of water yesterday. The nurse allowed me to give him some ice chips and he loved it.
Its a lot harder trying to figure out what he is saying now, because he is so high on pain meds. When he was awake, he wanted to watch CNN and when we left he didnt throw a fit. He knows he is having surgery for the colostomy this week and he was fine with it.
The staff there are really nice. I like them all a lot. Scott is going up today to spend a little bit of time with him at dads request. I took of video of him saying hi. Its on Colemans phone now. Ill post it up later.
He was pretty sleepy most of the day. He is on a really strong pain patch and is getting morphine also to suppplement the remaining pain. He sill complains that his shoulder hurts. He really wanted a lot of water yesterday. The nurse allowed me to give him some ice chips and he loved it.
Its a lot harder trying to figure out what he is saying now, because he is so high on pain meds. When he was awake, he wanted to watch CNN and when we left he didnt throw a fit. He knows he is having surgery for the colostomy this week and he was fine with it.
The staff there are really nice. I like them all a lot. Scott is going up today to spend a little bit of time with him at dads request. I took of video of him saying hi. Its on Colemans phone now. Ill post it up later.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hell Yes!!!
Dad weaned yesterday for 12 hours. He could have gone longer, but they put him back on so he wouldnt tire out and would be able to go again today. Which he is, and doing well.
They got the results of the CT scan of his pelvis back. He has a HUGE abcess in his bed sore. They are going to have a plastic surgeon or a general surgeon take a peek at it. They are seriously considering giving him a temporary colostomy bag because they just can't keep that wound clean unless they do, and we really need it to heal. Wounds like that can be fatal if they aren't treated correctly. That is how Christopher Reeve died and I am sure he had the best of the best medical care.
I am SO freaking happy he is where he is. These people are a God send and he really needs it.
Thanks everyone!!!
They got the results of the CT scan of his pelvis back. He has a HUGE abcess in his bed sore. They are going to have a plastic surgeon or a general surgeon take a peek at it. They are seriously considering giving him a temporary colostomy bag because they just can't keep that wound clean unless they do, and we really need it to heal. Wounds like that can be fatal if they aren't treated correctly. That is how Christopher Reeve died and I am sure he had the best of the best medical care.
I am SO freaking happy he is where he is. These people are a God send and he really needs it.
Thanks everyone!!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Past Weekend
From what Scott said, dad was fairly alert most of the weekend. They were successful at weaning him a few hours at a time, twice per day. Thats all I got out of Scott.
Martha called today. He had a different pulmonary doc take a look at him. He has a bit of fluid surrounding his left lung, and it appears that the left lung has also narrowed at the left brochus. So, they are going to do a bronchoscopy today to figure out why. This may be the reason why he hasn't weaned. The food flooding into his lungs for the past few months didn't help either.
I found out that he did receive some blood product last week and they are also going to put him on lasix, as he is getting fluid accumulation again. They are changing his pain meds to a phentynel patch, so that should help with some of the pain he has.
I am going this weekend. I hope to stay with him both days.
Martha called today. He had a different pulmonary doc take a look at him. He has a bit of fluid surrounding his left lung, and it appears that the left lung has also narrowed at the left brochus. So, they are going to do a bronchoscopy today to figure out why. This may be the reason why he hasn't weaned. The food flooding into his lungs for the past few months didn't help either.
I found out that he did receive some blood product last week and they are also going to put him on lasix, as he is getting fluid accumulation again. They are changing his pain meds to a phentynel patch, so that should help with some of the pain he has.
I am going this weekend. I hope to stay with him both days.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Dad is WEANING!!!
He has been in Oelwein for what, 3 months? And they never attempted to wean. He has been in the hospital for 5 days, and they are weaning him. They are shooting for 2 hours today, and he is just about there. His lungs look sooo much better now that they moved the tube.
The lady doc that was there when he was admitted told the pulmonologist that she wanted him weaned so he can come back to Des Moines. SHE IS AWESOME!!!
Finally a doctor who is looking at him as a 62 year old human being who has had some shit circumstances and not as a medical chart full of unsolvable issues. I am so happy!!
The lady doc that was there when he was admitted told the pulmonologist that she wanted him weaned so he can come back to Des Moines. SHE IS AWESOME!!!
Finally a doctor who is looking at him as a 62 year old human being who has had some shit circumstances and not as a medical chart full of unsolvable issues. I am so happy!!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Gary Fong is the Coolest!!
For those of you who don't know who Gary Fong is, he is a very famous retired wedding photographer, real estate investor and inventor. He is kind of like the Mike Tyson of photography...without the ear biting and raping. Anyway, dad always followed him and actually found himself joining Facebook because of him. I am also a fan of Gary so I sent him a little message this morning asking him if he would write a "get well" message on dad's page. I never thought he would respond back, and he did!! In like 20 minutes!! What an awesome dude!!!
This is what he wrote:
Gary Fong ✮
Hey Jim, I got such a nice email from your daughter explaining your situation. I've been in the ICU before there are so many electronics surrounding you. I used to watch all the monitors like a dashboard connected to my body. Anyway this much I know you have a nice daughter! Looks on your status that things are looking up, - may your 25th be filled with hope on your anniversary and may your recovery be swift! One thing going through rough times has taught me is bigtime patience :) get well soon! Gary Fong
How cool is that! What a neat dude.
Anyway, dad has a strep and a staff infection. He is still sleepy today but seems to be feeling a bit better. The rehab doctor is going to come in and see him next week. the ICU doc doesn't think that splinting his shoulder will help, but I guess that will be determined next week.
Debbie is coming today and staying through tomorrow. Then Scott will be there. Ill keep everyone posted on any news I get.
This is what he wrote:
Gary Fong ✮
Hey Jim, I got such a nice email from your daughter explaining your situation. I've been in the ICU before there are so many electronics surrounding you. I used to watch all the monitors like a dashboard connected to my body. Anyway this much I know you have a nice daughter! Looks on your status that things are looking up, - may your 25th be filled with hope on your anniversary and may your recovery be swift! One thing going through rough times has taught me is bigtime patience :) get well soon! Gary Fong
How cool is that! What a neat dude.
Anyway, dad has a strep and a staff infection. He is still sleepy today but seems to be feeling a bit better. The rehab doctor is going to come in and see him next week. the ICU doc doesn't think that splinting his shoulder will help, but I guess that will be determined next week.
Debbie is coming today and staying through tomorrow. Then Scott will be there. Ill keep everyone posted on any news I get.
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