Big update this morning.
First, Dad is off of his sedation meds. That's a first (with the exception of two short hours on Tuesday), and I think it's a good thing. He's not overbreathing his ventilator and his blood pressure is staying under 210 which is the goal, though it is running a little high and tends to hover between 195-205. These were the two things they were worried about in taking Dad off of sedation, so praise be for that.
Second, they started feeding Dad on Tuesday night and had him up to 60 ml/hr, which was pretty close to what we think the goal was of 68 ml/hr. However, this morning they drew out a lot of residuals from his stomach -- about a cup, which means he's not digesting as well as he was. They gave him Reglan to help the stomach empty (thanks Russell for the correction!), then started him back on the feeding at 20 ml/hr. So prayers that he goes back to digesting his yummy sugar-and-fat concoction would be appreciated!, and then they can start feeding him protein which would be great.
Finally, Dad's been pretty unresponsive to pain stimulus -- this is where the doctor and nurse poke at him (pretty hard) to try and elicit the automatic pain response. The lack of response is (probably) because the brain stem is being squashed by the swelling of the left hemisphere of the brain. We probably won't be able to get better responses until the brain swelling goes down, and even then we don't know how well the brain stem will recover from being torqued so much. Continued prayers for a decrease in brain swelling, as well as full recovery of the brain stem's functions, the right hemisphere (which is also being pushed to the side by the left hemisphere), and the midline connection between the upper brain and the brain stem, are at the top of our prayer requests today.
We're holding in there. Dad looks better today, at least to our untrained eyes. We have some hope that today will be the end of the swelling; the doctor has said that it should start going back down tomorrow. We just have to make it to Friday.
Thank you all, and blessings upon you & yours.
--Kristy
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4 comments:
Marion, Kristy and Dawn,
I have you all in my prayers now and for a long while. This was such tragic news and we understand the mysteries of the brain as you are learning these things. Know that we are here and ready to lend a hand whenever or wherever the need may arise. Keep strong and we care so much as to what is happening to Ed and the family.
The Pearson Family,
Dave, Charlene, Michelle and Johnathan
Kristy & Dawn: Your dad and mom are indeed in our prayers. Thank you for posting regular updates on Ed's condition. My heart aches over the ordeal you've all been through and the difficult recovery ahead. I'm so grateful that you have each other to lean on. Let us know when a visit would be appropriate (and welcome).
Sharon Blackstock (your mom and I were childhood friends in Madison)
Thank you so much for setting up this blog. We're praying our hearts out!
I'm continuing to follow Ed's progress and pray for his recovery. Lots of luck.
BTW, the medicine you were speaking of is "Reglan" or metaclopramide, which has the effect of helping the stomach to empty. :) Russell Daniel
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