Categories
Acuity Brain Injury

I declare a thumb war…

Update 3.29.18

Ryan spent a great deal of the day with Bob today and was able to get a few “thumbs up” responses from him as well as a hand squeeze. He gave a thumbs up to me being there and also a thumbs up to having had a bad day (no response when asked if he had a good day). He also squeezed my hand tightly. Ryan and I beat Bob at thumb wars a few times and Bob rested after then. He was on a vent setting where the vent does all the work. He was breathing over it a little, but they don’t plan to push him hard until they have his fever spikes under control. He has another infection and is on another antibiotic to combat that. I have a Family Care Conference scheduled for Monday with the hospital staff directly involved in his care to discuss his plan of action. We wish everyone a happy Easter and I will give you another update after Monday’s meeting. Love, Karen and Bob

Categories
Acuity AtlantiCare Brain Injury

From ICU to LTAC

Update 3.28.18

Bob is continuing to progress on the vent. They actually had him breathing on his own with oxygen into the trach for about four hours today. However, his heart rate and respirations were elevated for most of today. He has continued to spike fevers. Reaching 103 today. He was moved this afternoon to Acuity Specialty Hospital, which is in the same building but considered a different hospital. They will work to aggressively wean him from the vent and combat the specific bacteria in his system which may or may not be the cause of the fevers. His brother, Ryan, is visiting for a few days and was able to get Bob to make a couple of fists today. I went to work today for the first time in a week and it was good to do so. Thank you FOREVER to our sweet TiTi and Joe Joe for taking care of the babies so I can advocate for my hubby and keep up to date on his care. I’m beat now so I am headed to bed. They stressed to me again that this will be a LONG process. Hopeful for more good news soon. All our love, Karen and Bob

Categories
AtlantiCare Brain Injury

A simple motion…

Update 3.27.18

Today was a roller coaster of emotions. Questioning every decision I’m making, hysterical tears because I think I’m making bad ones, and joy at the simple motion of making a fist. When I visited with my hubs before surgery, I asked him if he wanted me to talk to him and to make a fist to tell me yes. He made a fist. So I cried and then talked to him about our son and the multiple doctor appts to deal with his messed up eye over the past two days (chalazion/stye – cause I needed ONE more thing on my plate). Then I flattened his hand and asked him to make a fist if he loved me. And yet again, another fist. I cried and told him that I would continue to fight for him and help him and advocate for him in the fiercest way I know. He’s doing will on the trach. It’s nice to see his face without tubes. Tomorrow starts even more adventures. We’re moving to a LTAC which is on another floor. He doesn’t need the high level of care that the ICU is anymore. Keep praying for his brain to have miraculous healing and for me to get the rest and clarity that I need heading into tomorrow. We love you all. Karen and Bob xoxo

Categories
AtlantiCare Brain Injury

Rough day…

Update 3.26.18

Please pray for Bob tomorrow as he has surgery for the tracheotomy and to place the feeding tube directly into his stomach. He had a rough day on the vent. He couldn’t handle the CPAP setting and breathing on his own past 11 am. He is also starting to develop strep pneumonia so they started an antibiotic. A few people have said he has responded to a couple commands but nothing consistent and not during neurological exams. I’ll let you all know how surgery goes tomorrow. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Categories
AtlantiCare Brain Injury

CPAP…

Update 3.25.18

Good news! Bobs vent setting is on CPAP where he is doing all of the breathing on his own. His oxygen level is down to 40% which is lower than it was before. They will keep him on CPAP as long as his vitals are stable. He is still asleep and not responding to commands (which he needs to do ASAP to get off of the vent) but when checking his eyes today with the nurse, he tracked his eyes in my direction! Thank you for your prayers. They are working! FYI. Moving forward, for the time being, Bob isn’t going to be allowed visitors. As soon as he is awake, the restriction will be lifted. I’m sorry for any inconvenience but this is what’s best for him at this time. Thank you for your continued prayers. Xo

Decorating his room in the ICU with pictures of our family