The past several days of giant leaps finally caught up with Luke today. He spent the day quietly resting and taking brief naps. In between we watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Luke didn't get the MRI done today, most likely due to the fact that his is not an emergency and the medical center seems to have had more than their share of emergencies this weekend. Hopefully they will be able to do it tomorrow.
---Bill
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Day 33 - 36 Hours and Counting!
Last night I reported that they would be putting Luke back on the respirator over night. When we got in to see him this morning we found out that he was doing so well without it that they left him off it. He has gone the day with just the trach collar so he has been breathing totally on his own for over 36 hours! In fact, when we got back in to see him tonight the respirator had been removed from his room. Praise be to God for the wonderful progress Luke has made the past couple of days!
Luke told us yesterday that he was seeing double when writing messages on the board and this afternoon an eye specialist came in and gave him a thorough checkup. He didn't find anything that would be causing the problem. Luke is scheduled for an MRI tomorrow to check for any problems that may be causing the inability to move his left arm. They will also check his brain for anything that may be affecting his vision.
For his eye checkup it was necessary to cap his trach tube so he could speak. He was able to stay that way until we left at 6:30. What a tremendous blessing to talk with him! Luke was being the Luke we all know and love, making jokes and enjoying conversing. He said he would give anything for a glass of orange juice. He is so looking forward to being able to eat real food again. This evening when we came back in he tried again with the cap but had a little trouble with it so they took it back off.
The past two days they have been lowering his dosage of fentanyl (pain medication) until this evening when they shut it off! All he is receiving now is some antibiotics with fluids. They will now be administering pain medication for him whenever he needs it.
---Bill
Luke told us yesterday that he was seeing double when writing messages on the board and this afternoon an eye specialist came in and gave him a thorough checkup. He didn't find anything that would be causing the problem. Luke is scheduled for an MRI tomorrow to check for any problems that may be causing the inability to move his left arm. They will also check his brain for anything that may be affecting his vision.
For his eye checkup it was necessary to cap his trach tube so he could speak. He was able to stay that way until we left at 6:30. What a tremendous blessing to talk with him! Luke was being the Luke we all know and love, making jokes and enjoying conversing. He said he would give anything for a glass of orange juice. He is so looking forward to being able to eat real food again. This evening when we came back in he tried again with the cap but had a little trouble with it so they took it back off.
The past two days they have been lowering his dosage of fentanyl (pain medication) until this evening when they shut it off! All he is receiving now is some antibiotics with fluids. They will now be administering pain medication for him whenever he needs it.
---Bill
Friday, November 28, 2008
Day 32 - Breathing On His Own
Luke started sprinting at 5:00 this morning and sprinted for three hours. Then they removed the respirator tubes from his trach and put a trach collar over it. This gives him air over the trach but he is breathing totally on his own. He stayed on the trach collar all afternoon until visiting hours were over at 6:30 this evening. Occasionally his breathing rate would rise above the 40 breaths per minute limit that they like to see, but all his vitals remained normal and he didn't show any signs of discomfort or anxiety. What a giant leap forward after several days of small steps!
He was also taken off the ativan so he was more awake than he has been. Another huge step forward! He didn't have the trach collar deflated to talk to us but could write messages on his dry erase board for us.
Now that he is able to effectively communicate we talked to a trauma team doctor today about his left arm that he has not been moving. He will be evaluated by neurological doctors. Pray that they will be able to determine the problem and that it is not a long term problem.
---Bill
He was also taken off the ativan so he was more awake than he has been. Another huge step forward! He didn't have the trach collar deflated to talk to us but could write messages on his dry erase board for us.
Now that he is able to effectively communicate we talked to a trauma team doctor today about his left arm that he has not been moving. He will be evaluated by neurological doctors. Pray that they will be able to determine the problem and that it is not a long term problem.
---Bill
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Day 31 - More Sprints, More Words
Late update: This evening when we went in to see Luke he was still sprinting from when we left him at 6:30 and continued through our visit. After we left they were going to put him back on the respirator for the night to let him rest and sleep. They plan to start him sprinting again in the morning and see how long he can go. He sprinted this evening for over 4 hours! Thank you, Lord, for another answer to prayer!
This Thanksgiving Day we give thanks to God watching over Luke one month ago when he survived multiple serious injuries and for bringing him along in his recovery to where he is today. Luke spent the day continuing his breathing sprints and resting in between. His first sprint this morning lasted two hours at the 5 and 5 settings. This afternoon he sprinted again for 30 minutes and was sprinting for the third time when we left him at the end of visiting hours.
We were able to talk with him a couple of times again today. He made a joke to one of his fellow PAs (Patrol Agents) that he guessed he was out of the running for getting on the ATV team. We assured him not to count that out, because with God and what they are able to do with prosthetics today he may very well be able to get the 'scoots' assignment.
Luke was also able to exchange verbal Thanksgiving greetings with his Grandma, Ben, Jill, Isabelle, Natalia, Becki, Eric, Bradyn, Andy and Elwood in Meadville through an internet video hookup. Paula told them to freeze some of the deep fried turkey they had for dinner for her to bring back for Luke on her planned trip home the second week of December for the birth of Becki and Eric's son. When Luke heard her say that he gave a big thumbs up of approval!
---Bill
This Thanksgiving Day we give thanks to God watching over Luke one month ago when he survived multiple serious injuries and for bringing him along in his recovery to where he is today. Luke spent the day continuing his breathing sprints and resting in between. His first sprint this morning lasted two hours at the 5 and 5 settings. This afternoon he sprinted again for 30 minutes and was sprinting for the third time when we left him at the end of visiting hours.
We were able to talk with him a couple of times again today. He made a joke to one of his fellow PAs (Patrol Agents) that he guessed he was out of the running for getting on the ATV team. We assured him not to count that out, because with God and what they are able to do with prosthetics today he may very well be able to get the 'scoots' assignment.
Luke was also able to exchange verbal Thanksgiving greetings with his Grandma, Ben, Jill, Isabelle, Natalia, Becki, Eric, Bradyn, Andy and Elwood in Meadville through an internet video hookup. Paula told them to freeze some of the deep fried turkey they had for dinner for her to bring back for Luke on her planned trip home the second week of December for the birth of Becki and Eric's son. When Luke heard her say that he gave a big thumbs up of approval!
---Bill
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Day 30 - First Words!
Luke started his thirtieth day in intensive care by being challenged with breathing exercises. The respiratory therapist wanted to push Luke and had him breathe on his own with the respirator set at 5 and 5. Those of you that have been keeping up with the blog for a while will know that this is the lowest settings of breathing support for him. Not only did he sprint for the 30 minutes they usually do, he lasted 90 minutes! Praise the Lord!
This was done before we were able to get in to see him. The therapist told us when we did get in that she also had shrunk the bladder that surrounds the trach tube at the neck to seal it so that some air could enter and Luke could use it push up through his vocal cords and try to speak. She told us he had made some sounds but couldn't tell what he was trying to say. She said that if he was awake in the afternoon she would try it again.
Luke slept the whole time we were in to see him until about 5:00. The therapist came back early in the afternoon and had him sprint again at the 5 and 5 settings. This time he sprinted for 2 hours! Praise the Lord! He was asleep just about the whole time and when he did stir his breathing rate did rise to above the limits they like to see. He is still having a problem with keeping the rate down when awake. We don't know if it is anxiety or what, but he does great breathing on his own while sleeping. Please continue to pray that he will improve in this area.
When Luke woke up around 5, we told the therapist that he was awake and she came back and again shrunk the bladder. We were finally able to hear him speak! He first asked who the therapist was and when we asked if he knew what yesterday was he answered that it was his birthday. He was also able to tell us where to locate things at his house. He told us that things were foggy with him and he was having trouble putting his thoughts together. We explained to him that he is still on medication and that once he does better with the sprints he will be able to be free of the respirator. He asked how long that would be.
What a blessing! What joy filled our hearts! Although his words are difficult to understand the chance to communicate with him is priceless!
We have received such a multitude of best wishes from so many we would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and most of all to cherish the blessings of family and friends and take nothing for granted. God bless you all.
---Bill and Paula
This was done before we were able to get in to see him. The therapist told us when we did get in that she also had shrunk the bladder that surrounds the trach tube at the neck to seal it so that some air could enter and Luke could use it push up through his vocal cords and try to speak. She told us he had made some sounds but couldn't tell what he was trying to say. She said that if he was awake in the afternoon she would try it again.
Luke slept the whole time we were in to see him until about 5:00. The therapist came back early in the afternoon and had him sprint again at the 5 and 5 settings. This time he sprinted for 2 hours! Praise the Lord! He was asleep just about the whole time and when he did stir his breathing rate did rise to above the limits they like to see. He is still having a problem with keeping the rate down when awake. We don't know if it is anxiety or what, but he does great breathing on his own while sleeping. Please continue to pray that he will improve in this area.
When Luke woke up around 5, we told the therapist that he was awake and she came back and again shrunk the bladder. We were finally able to hear him speak! He first asked who the therapist was and when we asked if he knew what yesterday was he answered that it was his birthday. He was also able to tell us where to locate things at his house. He told us that things were foggy with him and he was having trouble putting his thoughts together. We explained to him that he is still on medication and that once he does better with the sprints he will be able to be free of the respirator. He asked how long that would be.
What a blessing! What joy filled our hearts! Although his words are difficult to understand the chance to communicate with him is priceless!
We have received such a multitude of best wishes from so many we would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and most of all to cherish the blessings of family and friends and take nothing for granted. God bless you all.
---Bill and Paula
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Day 29 - Birthday in Bed
Luke spent his 25th birthday in his ICU hospital bed, but it certainly wasn't an uneventful day for him. He had a constant stream of visitors coming to see him and bring him cards, balloons and gifts. We can't get half of his get well cards up on his wall let alone all the birthday cards that came today! We read a few of them to him but there were far too many to try to read them all. We're all still struggling with the frustrations of not being able to communicate other than him nodding or shaking his head in response to questions and us trying to figure out the right questions to ask! In any event, it certainly is a blessing to see smiles!
As of 5:00 p.m. they still hadn't taken him for surgery, so we're doubtful that they will today. We aren't sure of the reason for the delay, but most likely it has to do with emergencies and repairing his elbow is not.
He did well on his sprint this morning going for 30 minutes on settings 5 and 5. The respiratory therapist was going to try to push him further this afternoon, but with all the visitors and activities, she decided to postpone it until 5:00. That's why we cleared out a little earlier than usual today. She wanted to be able to sprint him when all was quiet.
One of the trauma team doctors came in and talked to us about Luke's progress. Their main concerns now are getting him off the respirator and weaning him off the ativan and fentanyl. It is taking him longer than they expected, but when they stop and consider the many problems he had when he came in, it is understandable.
If I can find out any more about his scheduled surgery when we see him this evening, I'll post an update.
---Bill
As of 5:00 p.m. they still hadn't taken him for surgery, so we're doubtful that they will today. We aren't sure of the reason for the delay, but most likely it has to do with emergencies and repairing his elbow is not.
He did well on his sprint this morning going for 30 minutes on settings 5 and 5. The respiratory therapist was going to try to push him further this afternoon, but with all the visitors and activities, she decided to postpone it until 5:00. That's why we cleared out a little earlier than usual today. She wanted to be able to sprint him when all was quiet.
One of the trauma team doctors came in and talked to us about Luke's progress. Their main concerns now are getting him off the respirator and weaning him off the ativan and fentanyl. It is taking him longer than they expected, but when they stop and consider the many problems he had when he came in, it is understandable.
If I can find out any more about his scheduled surgery when we see him this evening, I'll post an update.
---Bill
Monday, November 24, 2008
Day 28 - A Little Better
Luke completed his fourth week in the ICU today. His ativan (sedative) level was down to 1 all day and he was more coherent than he has been. It is still awfully difficult to communicate with him since he is unable to talk with the trach tube in and he still doesn't quite have the dexterity in his right hand to write on the dry erase board. His fentanyl (pain medication) remains at 10. This is keeping him from being in much discomfort but does add to his grogginess (probably bad English, but you get my drift).
He had two sprints, or breathing exercises, today. This morning he went for 30 minutes and 45 minutes this afternoon. He still needed the respirator at 5 and 15. With the afternoon sprint, even though he was breathing fast, his heart rate didn't rise so they let him sprint longer.
His vitals remained the same and he continued with his low grade fever, although when we left at 6:30 his temperature was down to normal. But when we came back in at 8:30 it was back up a couple of degrees.
Tomorrow he will be heading back to surgery to repair the end of his left radius, essentially replacing part of his elbow. We don't know if they will do anything with his wrist, hand or fingers at the same time. That is a different team of surgeons. Luke still hasn't moved his left arm or hand and we don't know if this is due to all the bone damage or if there may be some nerve damage.
Luke's Border Patrol station, Imperial Beach, is having a dinner tomorrow of deep fried turkeys. We have been invited to the dinner, but it will depend on when Luke's surgery is, as to if and when we go there.
We continually are thankful to the Lord for Luke's progress, although not always in great measure, progress all the same.
---Bill
He had two sprints, or breathing exercises, today. This morning he went for 30 minutes and 45 minutes this afternoon. He still needed the respirator at 5 and 15. With the afternoon sprint, even though he was breathing fast, his heart rate didn't rise so they let him sprint longer.
His vitals remained the same and he continued with his low grade fever, although when we left at 6:30 his temperature was down to normal. But when we came back in at 8:30 it was back up a couple of degrees.
Tomorrow he will be heading back to surgery to repair the end of his left radius, essentially replacing part of his elbow. We don't know if they will do anything with his wrist, hand or fingers at the same time. That is a different team of surgeons. Luke still hasn't moved his left arm or hand and we don't know if this is due to all the bone damage or if there may be some nerve damage.
Luke's Border Patrol station, Imperial Beach, is having a dinner tomorrow of deep fried turkeys. We have been invited to the dinner, but it will depend on when Luke's surgery is, as to if and when we go there.
We continually are thankful to the Lord for Luke's progress, although not always in great measure, progress all the same.
---Bill
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