Hello All!
I apologize for being away for the past 10 days. My dad finally woke up today twice, after 10 1/2 days of sleeping. He was able to be awake about 30 minutes both times. That is an answer to prayers. He is on his way to recovering now, though it may be slow.
Here's how the past weeks have gone.
Last Monday: Surgery = eight hours. He had 3 graphs and 23 laser cuts to his heart, so that new veins will be grown.
Last Tuesday: his oxygen was lowered too much too fast, startled his eyes opened, unfocused and he grabbed the breathing tube, without searching for it, and pulled it and the feeding tube straight out and then threw them. They tried to see if he could breath on his own, but decided later in the afternoon to put a CPAP on him. He got very agitated and I was afraid he was going to break open his incisions. So he was sedated again so that the breathing tube could be put back in.
He slept.
Last Friday: He awoke for about 5 minutes, long enough to focus on us and know who we are. Then later in the night he bit his breathing tube in two. So, he was sedated again and another breathing tube was inserted.
He slept.
This Monday: his breathing tube was removed and he was given a tracheotomy, so that he could recover faster. So he was sedated once again.
He slept.
He was also put on pain medication and two broad spectrum antibiotics, because he came down with an infection and a bacteria growing in his blood.
He slept.
My dad has dementia and it takes him longer to recover, so being sedated so many times and being on the many medications, has had him sleeping very long.
I apologize for being away for the past 10 days. My dad finally woke up today twice, after 10 1/2 days of sleeping. He was able to be awake about 30 minutes both times. That is an answer to prayers. He is on his way to recovering now, though it may be slow.
Here's how the past weeks have gone.
Last Monday: Surgery = eight hours. He had 3 graphs and 23 laser cuts to his heart, so that new veins will be grown.
Last Tuesday: his oxygen was lowered too much too fast, startled his eyes opened, unfocused and he grabbed the breathing tube, without searching for it, and pulled it and the feeding tube straight out and then threw them. They tried to see if he could breath on his own, but decided later in the afternoon to put a CPAP on him. He got very agitated and I was afraid he was going to break open his incisions. So he was sedated again so that the breathing tube could be put back in.
He slept.
Last Friday: He awoke for about 5 minutes, long enough to focus on us and know who we are. Then later in the night he bit his breathing tube in two. So, he was sedated again and another breathing tube was inserted.
He slept.
This Monday: his breathing tube was removed and he was given a tracheotomy, so that he could recover faster. So he was sedated once again.
He slept.
He was also put on pain medication and two broad spectrum antibiotics, because he came down with an infection and a bacteria growing in his blood.
He slept.
My dad has dementia and it takes him longer to recover, so being sedated so many times and being on the many medications, has had him sleeping very long.
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Have a great weekend!
God bless and keep you,
Sonia
Hi Sonia -
ReplyDeleteWhat a difficult time for your dad! I'm glad he's doing better, and pray he recovers quickly.
I also pray for strength for you and your family. The stress of a loved one in the hospital is difficult.
Hugs,
Susan
Thank you Susan! Your prayers are much appreciated. :)
DeleteWith the dementia, maybe sedation is the best way. My father was so far gone when he was rushed to the hospital that I had to tell them to tie him down to keep someone from getting hurt (him included). Glad your dad is getting better now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl! They had to tie my dad's arms down for a day or two, early last week. Now he is week and when he wakes, it's just for a few minutes. Its going to be a slow recovery, but at least he is waking up. Thank you for your kind thoughts. :)
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