Know how I just mentioned that my ear bud has one side that works. Nope. That stopped this morning. Now I have no choice but to wear the oversized one.. which is now killing my ear. I can't even wear it in the right ear. Won't stay in at all.
This morning, I went in to see Angel and he was sleeping. After breakfast I was happy to discover Chris was his nurse of the day (I have a few favorites). Angel was wide away and calm. Even after being suctioned and coughing he was able to calm himself. Etna, the cleaning lady came in and said.. You are looking great and he smiled at her. I big smile. He smiled at Chris too. It was awesome to see.
News from the doc was that his liver was good, kidney numbers were looking great. They were thinking about no sedation and maybe getting him off the ventilator today or tomorrow. The only thing mentioned was that he had blood in his bile tube yesterday and Dr. Swales wanted to take a quick look to make sure nothiing was up.
Somewhere around 11:30 It was time to reposition him a bit. Chris and another nurse did that, then they suctioned him because was coughing, well suddenly he went nuts!! Another nurse and I spent some time holding him down. He was going to fling himself off that bed. They finally had no choice but to sedate him. I just remember looking at the monitor and seeing his blood pressure above 400. Scary stuff!! I do believe I know what got him going and the doctor did ask my thoughts on it. He had made a mess (if you know what I mean) and he looked as if he was trying to fling the bottom half of his body off the mess. The last time I saw him freak like that he had done a mess shortly before also.
Around lunch I decided to go looking for ear buds. No one has them. Chris even gave me some hospital ones and they didn't work, the sound was too low. So I have no choice but to deal with it. Steph texted me that she picked up some ear buds at Walmart and would bring them tomorrow evening. Honestly, what would I do without her. Now I just have to hang in there til tomorrow evening
So due to the events of the day, Angel is having a minor setback. They are going to review tomorrow and decide where to go from there. They did do an endoscopy and found a small tear that is caused from retching or severe coughing. It will heal on it's own.
Well, tomorrow comes quickly and I am falling asleep at the keyboard. Time to go!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
Mother's Day started and ended with a bang for sure. The stuff in the middle however, was fantastic.
It started when I woke and got into the shower. I forgot to double check the mat when I washed clothes the night before. One leg in the tub, slid all the way to the other side.. and the other leg, out of the tub, slammed into the side of the tub. Oh man, I watched it turn people right in front of my eyes. Toughen up and just move one, a bit slowly but keep going.
I went into Angel's room and he was awake and really focusing on me. You could tell he was still a bit out of it.. but he was awake longer than normal. He squeezed my hand when I asked. It was nice. So I went and had breakfast.
During breakfast, David called .. something about being really sorry, he tried to come to see me today. I assured him it was ok. Then the phone died. His cell needed to be charged.
I went back into the room and discovered it was the same nurse from yesterday. Let's just say she isn't one of the nurses that I prefer. No problem. Angel is still awake so I sit with him for a bit then I am told I need to go so they can wash him.
I come out to the waiting room. I go to sit down and I don't have my glasses on.. I look up and there is the boy that looks like a blurry Ethan standing there. What an awesome surprise!! Justine and Ethan stayed for a bit and it was absolutely wonderful. Then before they left Abraham and Mariah came. Abe and I went in to see Angel. Angel opened his eyes and saw me. Then as he went to close them, he heard Abe's voice. Those eyes got really big and started to search for him. That was wonderful to see. Before Abe and Mariah left. Paula and Melodye came (from church) and stayed with me til 6:30.
It was a wonderful day. Of course the last bang was when my second hearing aid died. Seriously?? It's a really good thing I have my amplifier but problem is only one side of ear buds work. The back up ones I packed are too big and keep falling out of my ears! Not only will hearing be difficult, now I am going to have a bigger issue talking on the telephone. Sigh! If only I understood what He was trying to teach me.
It started when I woke and got into the shower. I forgot to double check the mat when I washed clothes the night before. One leg in the tub, slid all the way to the other side.. and the other leg, out of the tub, slammed into the side of the tub. Oh man, I watched it turn people right in front of my eyes. Toughen up and just move one, a bit slowly but keep going.
I went into Angel's room and he was awake and really focusing on me. You could tell he was still a bit out of it.. but he was awake longer than normal. He squeezed my hand when I asked. It was nice. So I went and had breakfast.
During breakfast, David called .. something about being really sorry, he tried to come to see me today. I assured him it was ok. Then the phone died. His cell needed to be charged.
I went back into the room and discovered it was the same nurse from yesterday. Let's just say she isn't one of the nurses that I prefer. No problem. Angel is still awake so I sit with him for a bit then I am told I need to go so they can wash him.
I come out to the waiting room. I go to sit down and I don't have my glasses on.. I look up and there is the boy that looks like a blurry Ethan standing there. What an awesome surprise!! Justine and Ethan stayed for a bit and it was absolutely wonderful. Then before they left Abraham and Mariah came. Abe and I went in to see Angel. Angel opened his eyes and saw me. Then as he went to close them, he heard Abe's voice. Those eyes got really big and started to search for him. That was wonderful to see. Before Abe and Mariah left. Paula and Melodye came (from church) and stayed with me til 6:30.
It was a wonderful day. Of course the last bang was when my second hearing aid died. Seriously?? It's a really good thing I have my amplifier but problem is only one side of ear buds work. The back up ones I packed are too big and keep falling out of my ears! Not only will hearing be difficult, now I am going to have a bigger issue talking on the telephone. Sigh! If only I understood what He was trying to teach me.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Letters to Angel - Day 18
Delirious
That is what they tell me you will have for a while. I was doing ok with keeping you calm for a bit, until yesterday. You started off coughing and getting a bit anxious. I stroked your beard and hair for a bit.. but each time you settled you would get more anxious from the last. The nurse was busy so I was alone. Your heart rate was past 130 which is like really bad. Someone finally came in to help. You thrashed your head back and forth so viciously the trach tube came undone and all I hear was a 'whoshhh' sound. They gave you hadol which calms you down but doesn't sedate you. However, you looked uncomfortable and they had to move you. Then they had to suction you. You woke extremely agitated that they finally ended up giving you propofol, which knocks you out.
This was so upsetting that I had to just leave for a few hours. Steph came later and we went to Walmart. You would be proud of me.. I bought sneakers. Although I didn't want to pay alot so they are cheap. The old ones don't seem like they will hold on much longer.
On the ride to Walmart we saw a drug deal happening, someone thrown onto a police car and being cuffed. A few arrests, gangs, almost got sideswept a few times, including in the parking lot. Talk about a vicious town! Poor Steph. I don't think we will be leaving the hospital grounds next time.
That is what they tell me you will have for a while. I was doing ok with keeping you calm for a bit, until yesterday. You started off coughing and getting a bit anxious. I stroked your beard and hair for a bit.. but each time you settled you would get more anxious from the last. The nurse was busy so I was alone. Your heart rate was past 130 which is like really bad. Someone finally came in to help. You thrashed your head back and forth so viciously the trach tube came undone and all I hear was a 'whoshhh' sound. They gave you hadol which calms you down but doesn't sedate you. However, you looked uncomfortable and they had to move you. Then they had to suction you. You woke extremely agitated that they finally ended up giving you propofol, which knocks you out.
This was so upsetting that I had to just leave for a few hours. Steph came later and we went to Walmart. You would be proud of me.. I bought sneakers. Although I didn't want to pay alot so they are cheap. The old ones don't seem like they will hold on much longer.
On the ride to Walmart we saw a drug deal happening, someone thrown onto a police car and being cuffed. A few arrests, gangs, almost got sideswept a few times, including in the parking lot. Talk about a vicious town! Poor Steph. I don't think we will be leaving the hospital grounds next time.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Kidney stones.
Last night the nurse tried to explain what went on during stenting of the right kidney. She got it wrong. The urologist came in and explained. They went to stent the kidney so the stone would not cause a problem. When they put it in dark, murky stuff started to come out. This could be old blood from the first liver transplant or it could be an infection. They decided to check the left side and found the same. They stented that one as well and sent the samples to the lab. The stone is still there. They do not want to mess with that until he is better. They will remove or replace the stent in a month.
Letters to Angel - Moving forward
First let me say, you scared me yesterday. Around 9:30am, Chris started doing some routine things which included cleaning your mouth. This usually starts your agitation. However, you did great. You let him clean your mouth and even apply chap-stick. You were doing great, til you started coughing. Chris started to suction out your mouth and you ok.. but then you started coughing again. I was trying to settle you a bit but you suddenly gasped and gave me this look of horror. Next think I know you started pushing me away. That was scary. Chris and I tried to calm you but Chris had now choice but to sedate you. Your blood pressure had gone up to 212 and that was freaky.
Yesterday you had a trach done. No more tubes in your mouth. What a huge difference that makes. You were supposed to get a kidney stent. They found a good size kidney stone the other day. However, when they went in they discovered it was 7mm in size. Apparently they removed it and found alot of smaller stones and such so they decided to stent both kidneys. I hope it isn't too painful for you. You have alot of things going on right now.
Lori has been sending you a care gram a day with stories on them. I am loving them and I can't wait to share them with you.
Yesterday you had a trach done. No more tubes in your mouth. What a huge difference that makes. You were supposed to get a kidney stent. They found a good size kidney stone the other day. However, when they went in they discovered it was 7mm in size. Apparently they removed it and found alot of smaller stones and such so they decided to stent both kidneys. I hope it isn't too painful for you. You have alot of things going on right now.
Lori has been sending you a care gram a day with stories on them. I am loving them and I can't wait to share them with you.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Letters to Angel - Two weeks ago
Two weeks ago today you were in surgery at this time for your first liver transplant. It has been a long two weeks. I have spent a week at the hotel. That may end today. Yesterday, you actually opened your eyes when the nurse called your name. She said "Look who's here" and your eyes searched for me. That was a great feeling that you could actually focus. You are still doing that today. Yesterday you were also taken off the dialysis machine. I wish I had a pic of the machine for you. Your kidney is doing it's job now.
The only down side is your blood pressure. When the nurses go to do anything like re-position you, or clean you mouth, or even clean up your bowel movements (which you have been doing for 3 days now. yay).. you get agitated. Then your blood pressure goes up to 200+. You give the nurses no choice but to sedate you.. However then your bp goes below 100. It is a vicious cycle! On Monday, you were supposed to get a trach... but your blood pressure was too low.
Kim, your nurse, was trying so hard to get your bp steady but wow, you like to make things difficult. LOL. Thankfully last night was better for you. Lidia, your night nurse, decided to talk to you before doing anything and you let her do what she had to do.
Today you should be getting a trach done and kidney stone stinted. Oh yes dear.. the cat scan shows you have 2 kidney stones. One is a pretty good size and may cause a problem so they are going to stint it now. After you get better they will work on blasting it.
I love and miss talking with you!
The only down side is your blood pressure. When the nurses go to do anything like re-position you, or clean you mouth, or even clean up your bowel movements (which you have been doing for 3 days now. yay).. you get agitated. Then your blood pressure goes up to 200+. You give the nurses no choice but to sedate you.. However then your bp goes below 100. It is a vicious cycle! On Monday, you were supposed to get a trach... but your blood pressure was too low.
Kim, your nurse, was trying so hard to get your bp steady but wow, you like to make things difficult. LOL. Thankfully last night was better for you. Lidia, your night nurse, decided to talk to you before doing anything and you let her do what she had to do.
Today you should be getting a trach done and kidney stone stinted. Oh yes dear.. the cat scan shows you have 2 kidney stones. One is a pretty good size and may cause a problem so they are going to stint it now. After you get better they will work on blasting it.
I love and miss talking with you!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Letters to Angel - Fever
Dearest Angel,
You have a fever. Yesterday it was 101.8. Before I left it was down to 96.6. Chris (the nurse) even put ice packs under your armpits. He also had x-rays done and alot of bloodwork. This morning I woke to see you and it was up to 102.1. You are scaring me .. you know that don't you.
Abraham is visiting you today.
Tomorrow you are going to go in for a tracheotomy.
You have a fever. Yesterday it was 101.8. Before I left it was down to 96.6. Chris (the nurse) even put ice packs under your armpits. He also had x-rays done and alot of bloodwork. This morning I woke to see you and it was up to 102.1. You are scaring me .. you know that don't you.
Abraham is visiting you today.
Tomorrow you are going to go in for a tracheotomy.
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