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!
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