Today, we held a family (seven of us) meeting with the doctor and nurses to discuss Bill's progress and where he's headed these next months.
The doctor said we can be cautiously optimistic, but to remember we are not out of the woods yet. Bill will be considered in critical condition as long as he is on the ventilator.
The main concern as we go further is infection.
The next steps will be decreasing sedation and pain medicines. Sometimes emergence of patients can take up to a month. Then, they will work on getting him off the ventilator and on oxygen. Physical therapy will be continued throughout. He will go back for surgery a couple more times to re-graft donor skin and areas that have not adhered.
After our meeting we all felt Bill is receiving the best care possible. All our questions were answered or addressed. The nurses and staff have been caring and patient with our unending questions!
Thank You for all your positive comments and heartfelt prayers for Bill's recovery and family. This gives us hope and keeps us strong for him.
Friday
Thursday
July 30, 2009
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers - they helped tremendously because yesterday's grafting surgery went quite well!! They took him down for surgery around 3:30pm and he returned around 7:30pm. We were able to visit with him after he was settled in his room. He opened his eyes in response to voices again.
The donor skin on his upper right arm was replaced by his own. His right hand was re-grafted with his own skin because it didn't adhere the first time. He received donor skin on his chest.
He also received a tracheotomy to replace the intubation tube in his mouth. He remains on a respirator through the tracheotomy, which continues to breathe for him. He also has a feeding tube in his nose and another in his mouth for suction.
His face is no longer wrapped in gauze. It's wonderful to see him! He looks as if he received a really bad sunburn - all pink. He's a little swollen in his face and neck due to surgery.
Today, ALL his vitals are GOOD. He continues to respond to voices by opening his eyes. Things are finally looking up - yeah!
The donor skin on his upper right arm was replaced by his own. His right hand was re-grafted with his own skin because it didn't adhere the first time. He received donor skin on his chest.
He also received a tracheotomy to replace the intubation tube in his mouth. He remains on a respirator through the tracheotomy, which continues to breathe for him. He also has a feeding tube in his nose and another in his mouth for suction.
His face is no longer wrapped in gauze. It's wonderful to see him! He looks as if he received a really bad sunburn - all pink. He's a little swollen in his face and neck due to surgery.
Today, ALL his vitals are GOOD. He continues to respond to voices by opening his eyes. Things are finally looking up - yeah!
Tuesday
July 28, 2009
The Big Guy had a good day today. His blood pressure remained stable. His temperature was a little low, but okay.
He is receiving a new antibiotic due to yet another discovered infection. We were told that different courses of antibiotics are commonly given to burn patients due to the many different types of infections that inevitably arise.
Now, for the great news!! Bill opened his pearly blue eyes today while a nurse was working with him. Dawn asked him to blink if he heard her - and he did! Then, she asked him to move his foot - and he did this as well! He opened his eyes a couple hours later when his arm was raised for another procedure. It seems as if he was wondering "What are you doing to me now?" This does not mean that he is "waking up". We are sure he won't remember a thing but boy, it was so nice to see him respond.
He is still on track for grafting surgery on his chest, upper right arm and possibly his face tomorrow morning. If all goes well with the grafting, he may also receive a tracheotomy to replace the intubation tube.
Please keep the Big Guy in your prayers, as tomorrow is an important day for him.
He is receiving a new antibiotic due to yet another discovered infection. We were told that different courses of antibiotics are commonly given to burn patients due to the many different types of infections that inevitably arise.
Now, for the great news!! Bill opened his pearly blue eyes today while a nurse was working with him. Dawn asked him to blink if he heard her - and he did! Then, she asked him to move his foot - and he did this as well! He opened his eyes a couple hours later when his arm was raised for another procedure. It seems as if he was wondering "What are you doing to me now?" This does not mean that he is "waking up". We are sure he won't remember a thing but boy, it was so nice to see him respond.
He is still on track for grafting surgery on his chest, upper right arm and possibly his face tomorrow morning. If all goes well with the grafting, he may also receive a tracheotomy to replace the intubation tube.
Please keep the Big Guy in your prayers, as tomorrow is an important day for him.
Monday
July 27, 2009
Bill's blood pressure continues to be an issue. Because of this, he will not have grafting surgery today. He is scheduled for this Wednesday if all goes well.
Infection is also a factor these days. He is still receiving antibiotics for a blood infection. The site where he receives his medicines will be changed to his upper left arm due to infection.
His temperature has returned to normal today and his "Bear Hug" blanket has gone away. His blood pressure is stable since this morning. Yeah!
We are realizing that we have to take things SLOWLY - sometimes hour by hour. It's tough to predict what or how Bill might be doing tomorrow.
He has not been conscious since the night of the accident due to sedation. This will most likely continue for awhile. So, we watch and wonder if he hears us.
Infection is also a factor these days. He is still receiving antibiotics for a blood infection. The site where he receives his medicines will be changed to his upper left arm due to infection.
His temperature has returned to normal today and his "Bear Hug" blanket has gone away. His blood pressure is stable since this morning. Yeah!
We are realizing that we have to take things SLOWLY - sometimes hour by hour. It's tough to predict what or how Bill might be doing tomorrow.
He has not been conscious since the night of the accident due to sedation. This will most likely continue for awhile. So, we watch and wonder if he hears us.
Sunday
July 26, 2009
Bill is critical and unstable.
Unfortunately, for the past two days Bill's blood pressure has not been cooperating. Currently, he is on a different medicine to increase his BP. So far, he has received 4 units of blood to help with blood pressure issues.
He is not breathing on his own and continues to be in a drug-induced coma. He still can not communicate with us, but we are certainly giving him a piece of our minds to keep on fighting!
Feeding was a little unstable for the past two days, but for now he is back on track.
He has a "Bear Hug" blanket on him because his body temperature is too low. The blanket gives him more heat - we all want one!!
Unfortunately, for the past two days Bill's blood pressure has not been cooperating. Currently, he is on a different medicine to increase his BP. So far, he has received 4 units of blood to help with blood pressure issues.
He is not breathing on his own and continues to be in a drug-induced coma. He still can not communicate with us, but we are certainly giving him a piece of our minds to keep on fighting!
Feeding was a little unstable for the past two days, but for now he is back on track.
He has a "Bear Hug" blanket on him because his body temperature is too low. The blanket gives him more heat - we all want one!!
Friday
July 24, 2009
After many stressful days today is, thankfully, a little calmer.
Since the kidney stone issue was addressed, Bill's BP has stabilized. His "baby formula" is now at his intake goal. Things are "moving along" well. He finally POOPED!!! The nurses are thrilled!
If you are having difficulty adding a comment to this blog, try addressing your post as "Anonymous"
Since the kidney stone issue was addressed, Bill's BP has stabilized. His "baby formula" is now at his intake goal. Things are "moving along" well. He finally POOPED!!! The nurses are thrilled!
If you are having difficulty adding a comment to this blog, try addressing your post as "Anonymous"
Thursday
July 23, 2009
Today was quite a day filled with many ups and downs.
Last night Bill had a full body CAT scan because his blood pressure went too high yesterday and once more this morning. The anesthesiologist decided that due to variations in his BP, grafting surgery would not happen today.
A kidney stone and gall bladder stones were discovered from the CAT scan. Pain from the kidney stone along with the burns may be driving his BP too high. Issues with the kidney stone were addressed through a procedure which took about 30 min and Bill tolerated it well.
It looks like he will have a few days rest before he goes in for his next graft surgery on his chest and possibly face. We are hoping for surgery on Monday, if Bill cooperates!
Last night Bill had a full body CAT scan because his blood pressure went too high yesterday and once more this morning. The anesthesiologist decided that due to variations in his BP, grafting surgery would not happen today.
A kidney stone and gall bladder stones were discovered from the CAT scan. Pain from the kidney stone along with the burns may be driving his BP too high. Issues with the kidney stone were addressed through a procedure which took about 30 min and Bill tolerated it well.
It looks like he will have a few days rest before he goes in for his next graft surgery on his chest and possibly face. We are hoping for surgery on Monday, if Bill cooperates!
Wednesday
July 22, 2009
Today is a big day for Bill.
Variations in blood pressure continue to be a major issue. The Drs. are looking into the causes of this. He gave everyone quite a scare this morning when his BP spiked into the 280s. Fluid input was lowered, his ventilation was changed and he was given nitroglycerin for a few minutes. He responded well to these changes and was stable long enough for the grafts on both arms to be checked.
Great news - both arms look good! The grafts have taken and look as healthy as expected. However, his hands may involve more grafting in the future.
He is scheduled for a chest graft tomorrow morning. The Drs. will take skin from his abdomen for this. They also anticipate replacing the donor skin on his upper right arm with skin from his abdomen. They may also need to graft on his face depending on the severity of the burns.
He continues to be in critical, but stable condition. He has an infection in his blood and is being treated with antibiotics. Infection of any type is a serious threat to Bill's recovery and the Drs. want to minimize this threat as much as possible. Therefore, visitation is being restricted to family members.
He looks like a mummy all wrapped in gauze. The swelling in his face seems to have decreased and his eyelids look unharmed. They gave him a short haircut and we can see some short silver spikes at the top of his head. He remains on the ventilator and does not communicate. However, this doesn't stop us from chatting with him!
Thank you for all your prayers and concern - it gives us strength.
Variations in blood pressure continue to be a major issue. The Drs. are looking into the causes of this. He gave everyone quite a scare this morning when his BP spiked into the 280s. Fluid input was lowered, his ventilation was changed and he was given nitroglycerin for a few minutes. He responded well to these changes and was stable long enough for the grafts on both arms to be checked.
Great news - both arms look good! The grafts have taken and look as healthy as expected. However, his hands may involve more grafting in the future.
He is scheduled for a chest graft tomorrow morning. The Drs. will take skin from his abdomen for this. They also anticipate replacing the donor skin on his upper right arm with skin from his abdomen. They may also need to graft on his face depending on the severity of the burns.
He continues to be in critical, but stable condition. He has an infection in his blood and is being treated with antibiotics. Infection of any type is a serious threat to Bill's recovery and the Drs. want to minimize this threat as much as possible. Therefore, visitation is being restricted to family members.
He looks like a mummy all wrapped in gauze. The swelling in his face seems to have decreased and his eyelids look unharmed. They gave him a short haircut and we can see some short silver spikes at the top of his head. He remains on the ventilator and does not communicate. However, this doesn't stop us from chatting with him!
Thank you for all your prayers and concern - it gives us strength.
Sunday
July 19, 2009
After some difficulty yesterday of reinserting Bill's feeding tube the nurse was patting herself on her back as she did the job successfully. He is still on a respirator, EKG monitor, PIC line, sedation and pain meds.
He can't talk to us due to his sedated state, but we still talk to him hoping he can hear something. As we watch the monitors, we can see that he is trying to breathe on his own at times. He now has a "fancy" bed which slowly moves him from side to side helping his circulation.
He can't talk to us due to his sedated state, but we still talk to him hoping he can hear something. As we watch the monitors, we can see that he is trying to breathe on his own at times. He now has a "fancy" bed which slowly moves him from side to side helping his circulation.
Saturday
July 18, 2009
Bill is stable and continuing to go forward. The donor sites on his thighs are open to the air to promote healing. The Drs. are telling us that they will debride and skin graft his chest sometime next week.
Please keep him in your prayers. Thank You, Dawn and family
Please keep him in your prayers. Thank You, Dawn and family
Friday
July 17, 2009
Bill had a good night. He went to the operating room this morning at 9:00am for his debriding and skin graph surgery. They worked on his hands and arms. They were able to use his own skin from his thighs with a small amount of donor skin on his upper right arm.
He returned to the room around 3:30pm. He did well throughout the operation. He's still following predicted expectations! We find it amazing that he's following directions.
He returned to the room around 3:30pm. He did well throughout the operation. He's still following predicted expectations! We find it amazing that he's following directions.
Thursday
July 16, 2009
Today Bill is still critical, but stable. Doctors continue pushing fluids. He is VERY swollen and wrapped in gauze (like a mummy). He will remain like this for the next couple of weeks. His bandages are changed daily to monitor for infection.
He began a high protein liquid through a feeding tube. It was decided not to scope his esophagus and lungs because all indicators are showing no signs of damage (good news!).
At times, sedation is lessened to check his normal respiration, blood pressure and heart rate. When this happens, he becomes a bit agitated but it shows that he's fighting and strong!
So, far, he's behaving and following the predicted expectations.
Tomorrow, if all goes well tonight, he will have his first surgical procedure. Doctors will debride his burns and apply temporary donor skin grafts to the third degree burned areas.
He began a high protein liquid through a feeding tube. It was decided not to scope his esophagus and lungs because all indicators are showing no signs of damage (good news!).
At times, sedation is lessened to check his normal respiration, blood pressure and heart rate. When this happens, he becomes a bit agitated but it shows that he's fighting and strong!
So, far, he's behaving and following the predicted expectations.
Tomorrow, if all goes well tonight, he will have his first surgical procedure. Doctors will debride his burns and apply temporary donor skin grafts to the third degree burned areas.
Tuesday
July 14, 2009
Hello everyone. We thank you so very much for your prayers and well wishes. It means the world to us that so many of you care about Bill. We'd like to use this blog as a way to communicate in lieu of the many phone calls and to give updates of Bill's progress throughout this ordeal. PLEASE add comments to this post or any future posts (see Comments at bottom).
So, we'll start with the day of the accident... Bill, his grandson and a neighbor were attempting to start an old car. They had taken many precautions before they started such as keeping the car away from the house, fire extinguishers on hand and putting the gas container away from the car.
So, we'll start with the day of the accident... Bill, his grandson and a neighbor were attempting to start an old car. They had taken many precautions before they started such as keeping the car away from the house, fire extinguishers on hand and putting the gas container away from the car.
To help start the old car, Bill poured a small amount of gas from a cup into the carburetor. As he did this, a flashback occurred resulting in Bill being seriously burned. 911 was immediately called and the extinguisher was used to put out the flames. The ambulance arrived and transported him to Bridgeport hospital.
Bill was coherent, able to see and speaking when he arrived at the hospital around 6pm. The family was updated around 9pm with the news that 20-25% of his body was burned. He has second degree burns on his face, left arm and hand. He has third degree burns on his right arm and hand. His chest has both second and third degree burns. A breathing tube was put in because they did not know if he sustained any internal damage due to inhalation. He was heavily sedated and in a drug-induced coma.
Around 1:30am July 15, Bill was finally transferred from the ER to the Burn Unit - 4th floor, Room 4014 where he is in stable but critical condition.
If you visit Bill, please sign the white guest book in his room so the family and Bill will know you were there - thank you!
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