David had a quiet afternoon - thank the Lord!
His labs are fairly normal again. They have the paralytic and the sedative going, so he is resting quietly.
They are planning to keep the sedation and the paralytic going until Monday, perhaps as long as Wednesday. The main reason is to allow that cartilage/kinked area to heal.
The paralytic medication is exactly what it sounds like. The sedation is so that he doesn't have that anxiety of being aware, but being paralyzed. With the medications, he appears to be resting very comfortably. And we're very thankful for that.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
11:30am
The bronchoscopy showed that his cartilage airway is weak. When he gets agitated and starts moving around more, the airway collapses. They are thinking that, with the sedation, we will avoid the collapsing airway.
It is hopeful that the airway (made of cartilage) will strengthen with rest. If it doesn't get stronger on its own, he will possibly having to surgically insert a stent (basically a mechanical straw). We will be praying that he doesn't need the stent because it is a foreign body and can cause infection.
We are thankful, though, that he is off of the medication for his blood pressure. That means he's maintaining his blood pressure on his own again. Yeah, God!
It is hopeful that the airway (made of cartilage) will strengthen with rest. If it doesn't get stronger on its own, he will possibly having to surgically insert a stent (basically a mechanical straw). We will be praying that he doesn't need the stent because it is a foreign body and can cause infection.
We are thankful, though, that he is off of the medication for his blood pressure. That means he's maintaining his blood pressure on his own again. Yeah, God!
11:00
They had to cardiovert him - his heart went into a not-so-good rhythm - and they had to shock him. We were praying and they came in to tell us that the cardioversion worked.
They are doing another bronchoscopy because they are concerned that the kink in his airway is inflamed. This could cause the airway to be more narrow again, causing some of the problems with his breathing.
They are doing another bronchoscopy because they are concerned that the kink in his airway is inflamed. This could cause the airway to be more narrow again, causing some of the problems with his breathing.
10:25am
The echo and chest x-ray both came out good. They are putting him back on the paralytic medication again. It seemed that, with the paralytic medication, he was calm and was breathing better. We're hoping that will be what he needs to rest and recuperate.
Saturday, Jan. 23, 9:00
David was breathing a lot faster this morning. They gave him pain medications and then were giving him a breathing treatment. When Lydia and I went to go back into the room, the doors were closed and there was a whole crowd in there.
The doctor came out to talk to us after a little bit. His blood pressure dropped and he is now on 2 medications (epi and Levaphin drops) to maintain the blood pressure. His fluids and electrolytes are off (something very difficult to manage with any very ill person). He has a metabolic problem, but they are also wondering about a heart problem. They are going to do an echo in a little bit to check out his heart.
Psalm 34:1-4 (thank you, Mandy, for sending that to Lydia)
The doctor came out to talk to us after a little bit. His blood pressure dropped and he is now on 2 medications (epi and Levaphin drops) to maintain the blood pressure. His fluids and electrolytes are off (something very difficult to manage with any very ill person). He has a metabolic problem, but they are also wondering about a heart problem. They are going to do an echo in a little bit to check out his heart.
Psalm 34:1-4 (thank you, Mandy, for sending that to Lydia)
1 [a] I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Friday, January 22, 2010
8pm
David appears to have had a fairly restful, quiet day. Should be just what he needs to help him feel better.
We're all just dying to have him talk to us, but we will just look forward to tomorrow!
We're all just dying to have him talk to us, but we will just look forward to tomorrow!
2:30pm
Encouragement! The pulmonologist is more optimistic than the other doctors have been. He doesn't seem to think that the high carbon dioxide level would have caused damage or long-term problems.
That being said, they still just want him to rest today. And so we keep waiting and hoping. (Although it's just a little bit easier now.)
That being said, they still just want him to rest today. And so we keep waiting and hoping. (Although it's just a little bit easier now.)
1:45pm
We're not expecting a lot of change today. He some sedation and has pain medications. He seems to be resting very comfortably. They are talking about weaning him from the vent tomorrow.
10:15am
The surgeon has been such a blessing to us. He just talked to us and encouraged us to keep praying. He told us the story of an 18-year-old who had a heart transplant. She woke up like David, then went non-responsive. They stopped all of her care because 3 neurologists said she didn't have a chance. She woke up on Day # 9 without any indication of damage. She has lived a normal life for the last 20 years. And so we need to maintain our hope. And try to obtain some patience.
9:40 am
We are in waiting mode, but the waiting is getting more difficult.
David is not responding appropriately. The Head CT showed no stroke or bleeding. However, it would probably not show damage from CO2.
Basically we don't know at this point if it could be the medication yet or if there is truly brain damage. And we can't know. And we want so much to know that he is ok.
We're struggling. It feels like we're back at Tuesday, where we don't know if he is going to make it. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that we might be going through my box of Kleenex after all.
I (Rachel) know too much about brain injuries and what that road looks like. I know what we could be facing. If there is brain damage, I will still have to say goodbye to my little brother as I know him and then learn to know my new little brother.
Phil 4:6-8 are our verses right now. "Do not worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need. And thank Him for all he has done. If you do this you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus."
David is not responding appropriately. The Head CT showed no stroke or bleeding. However, it would probably not show damage from CO2.
Basically we don't know at this point if it could be the medication yet or if there is truly brain damage. And we can't know. And we want so much to know that he is ok.
We're struggling. It feels like we're back at Tuesday, where we don't know if he is going to make it. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that we might be going through my box of Kleenex after all.
I (Rachel) know too much about brain injuries and what that road looks like. I know what we could be facing. If there is brain damage, I will still have to say goodbye to my little brother as I know him and then learn to know my new little brother.
Phil 4:6-8 are our verses right now. "Do not worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need. And thank Him for all he has done. If you do this you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus."
4:36 AM
David has been waking up intermittently throughout the night, about every 45 minutes or so. Sometimes he makes pretty decent eye contact, and he responds to our voices. He has been able to move his arms upon request (it seems) but not squeeze our hands. It seems pretty painful, being on the vent....
His responses are encouraging, and we're listening to Takk over and over. We're hoping he'll be more awake for the doctor in the morning. The sooner he can follow commands, the sooner they can consider pulling the ventilator.
His responses are encouraging, and we're listening to Takk over and over. We're hoping he'll be more awake for the doctor in the morning. The sooner he can follow commands, the sooner they can consider pulling the ventilator.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
10:00 pm
God has sent us a message of encouragement through our friend April. She works at the Bryan ICU and she thinks things are actually pretty normal. She said she is not surprised that he is not alert and aware and appropriately responsive. She also said that the medication can take 24 hours to get out of their system (and us Keyzers have a horribly slow metabolism anyway). She thinks he might not even be real awake until tomorrow afternoon.
They are currently not giving him any more pain medication, in an effort to really assess and get the pain meds out of his system. So hopefully he doesn't have a bad night.
Please keep praying for him with us. But also, pray that we have patience. We want so, so much to talk to David.
They are currently not giving him any more pain medication, in an effort to really assess and get the pain meds out of his system. So hopefully he doesn't have a bad night.
Please keep praying for him with us. But also, pray that we have patience. We want so, so much to talk to David.
8:30pm
David is still GROGGY. And we have a spirit of fear.
The surgeon says we can't draw any conclusions until tomorrow, when we know the medication is out of his system. He is a young guy who has never had any meds and has been "pumped full of narcotics." His kidneys and liver are looking good, so the medication should be able to be processed through his system without difficulty.
And yet we're scared. What if his brain is not okay? What if there is damage? Please pray with us that he has complete healing, body, brain, soul and spirit.
The surgeon says we can't draw any conclusions until tomorrow, when we know the medication is out of his system. He is a young guy who has never had any meds and has been "pumped full of narcotics." His kidneys and liver are looking good, so the medication should be able to be processed through his system without difficulty.
And yet we're scared. What if his brain is not okay? What if there is damage? Please pray with us that he has complete healing, body, brain, soul and spirit.
6pm
We thought he would have been off the vent by now, but no such luck. The nurses, however, don't seem surprised.
The sedation is now off, but they are still giving him a lot of pain medications. Mom got him to respond for a little bit about 3:30, after telling him, several times, that it was time to wake up. :) But then he started getting agitated, probably because of the tube? so we let the nurses calm him down. Lydia said they were in there again a few minutes ago and he responded more quickly, but it was still similar (with the agitation).
The nurses said they are letting him rest and "letting the fog clear." HE is doing find without the sedation and he is breathing fine without much support from the vent. They will just take the tube out whenever he is ready.
Labs are fine and they don't seem to have any specific concerns. They keep telling us that this is all normal.
The sedation is now off, but they are still giving him a lot of pain medications. Mom got him to respond for a little bit about 3:30, after telling him, several times, that it was time to wake up. :) But then he started getting agitated, probably because of the tube? so we let the nurses calm him down. Lydia said they were in there again a few minutes ago and he responded more quickly, but it was still similar (with the agitation).
The nurses said they are letting him rest and "letting the fog clear." HE is doing find without the sedation and he is breathing fine without much support from the vent. They will just take the tube out whenever he is ready.
Labs are fine and they don't seem to have any specific concerns. They keep telling us that this is all normal.
It's only been a few minutes, but we were able to talk to the nurse. The sedation has been turned off, although she is giving him more pain medication. She is concerned that he might be in pain and can't tell us.
97% of the time he is breathing on his own through the vent. The vent is only occasionally putting a breathe into his lung.
We're encouraged. And waiting......
97% of the time he is breathing on his own through the vent. The vent is only occasionally putting a breathe into his lung.
We're encouraged. And waiting......
2:00 pm - update - still waiting
They are still in the process of weaning down the sedation. The nurse tells us that he has opened his eyes a couple of time, and has moved his head. We have not seen him throughout this process, however.
The weaning of the vent can be traumatic. As he wakes up, he finds out that he has this huge tube in his mouth and that can be very scary and stressful for him. So far, because they are doing it so gradually and slowly, it has been fine. We're hopeful that things continue to go well.
So far, it has just been immediate family hanging out in the waiting room. We eagerly ask for information, but we are doing ok. WE finally brought out the games - a first since this began. Dad has made a few work phone calls as well today, so we're starting to get back to normal.
We will keep you posted!
The weaning of the vent can be traumatic. As he wakes up, he finds out that he has this huge tube in his mouth and that can be very scary and stressful for him. So far, because they are doing it so gradually and slowly, it has been fine. We're hopeful that things continue to go well.
So far, it has just been immediate family hanging out in the waiting room. We eagerly ask for information, but we are doing ok. WE finally brought out the games - a first since this began. Dad has made a few work phone calls as well today, so we're starting to get back to normal.
We will keep you posted!
Thursday, January 22, 2010
David is still on the vent, but he had a good night. They have turned off the paralytic medication and they are decreasing the sedative. They are decreasing the sedation very slowly. His breathing has not gotten any faster, which is encouraging.
We are sitting here with the core family, no in-laws for the moment. It feels like a small group. We're just "vegging", waiting for any piece of news they will give us.
We are all eager to have David look at us and say hi. But we are trying to be patient.
Thank you for all of the prayers! We are feeling your support and are thankful for that! Please keep praying for David, for strength and healing. They are telling us that he will have a lot of pain because of the incision on his side.
We are sitting here with the core family, no in-laws for the moment. It feels like a small group. We're just "vegging", waiting for any piece of news they will give us.
We are all eager to have David look at us and say hi. But we are trying to be patient.
Thank you for all of the prayers! We are feeling your support and are thankful for that! Please keep praying for David, for strength and healing. They are telling us that he will have a lot of pain because of the incision on his side.
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