Well, Mom is still on the vent. They took her off sedation this morning, and, again, she got anxious and her breathing was too rapid to "pass the test." Geoff and I were both extremely disheartened to get to the hospital this morning to find her sedated again, when we had been expecting extubation. They'll try again tomorrow morning, and Geoff and I have requested that they do not take her off sedation until visiting hours, so that we can be there when she wakes up. We hope that it will relax her a bit to see familiar faces when she wakes up, and, that with our help and reassurance, she will remain calm for enough time to satisfy the doctors, so they can proceed with extubation. If our Jedi mind trick doesn't work, they will most like do a tracheotomy tomorrow, which will keep her on the vent, but allow them to decrease the sedation (since she won't have a tube down her throat) and get her moving more, which will be good for her lungs and muscles. Also, with the trach, it is easier to regulate the frequency of breaths given to her by the ventilator. They can take the trach out as soon as she is doing well breathing on her own, which could be a short amount of time, given that mom's lungs are in pretty good shape. After seeing her sedated again today, I just want her to be comfortable - to have the tube out of her mouth however she can. She's far too anxious when she isn't sedated, since, as I've been told, breathing through a ventilator is like breathing through a straw. Not fun for anyone.
Today was not an easy day. Geoff and I try to be 50% advocate/50% asshole when dealing with the nurses and doctors, and today we were certainly the latter. When we walked in and saw her sedated again, we lost it. It made no sense, since we had been told yesterday that she had done well on her breathing tests. And, we found out that when they took her off sedation this morning, they did not give her anti-anxiety medication, which we have told every one of her nurses is very important for her. That was just the start of the day.
Please send lots of positive energy, prayers and love to mom tomorrow morning. Around 9Am PST, we'll be working with her to relax, so they can take that damn tube out once and for all. Please try to take a moment and envision her relaxed and calm, so we can all contribute to the next step in her recovery. (If you're not into all this woo woo stuff, just do whatever works for you!)
Thanks to all for your support. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
love,
jennifer
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I am certainly in prayer agreement with you all that Sheryl be off that vent TODAY. I expect a good report for our monthly highschool get together this Tuesday.
Tell her I love her and pray for her daily.
Jimmie Clark
I am definitly into the power of positive thinking. I will be right there with her. I wish I could talk to her first...a little one on one girl woo woo stuff as Jennifer said...many hugs to you all. judi
it's 9:04 pst. i just read your latest post. let's say it's a sign and i was meant to read it just at this moment. justin and i will hug and pray right now. love you guys... off to do the energy thing. go sheryl go!
linda
You have ALL my love and support, you are needing to make some big decisions for your Mom, stay strong. I believe in positive vision, energy and prayer... whatever works.
You and Sheryl have sooo much Love
and Support coming your way.
Hugs, Patsy
I am sending calming thoughts your way! Michelle
We are sending prayers and positive thoughts to all of you. Your love for each other is strong - this alone will keep you going. The day will come that we enjoy a margarita and share a good visit. Hugs, Kathy & Helen
Post a Comment