Thursday, May 22, 2014

Day +23 Post Transplant, The Weening Continues

Today has been a good day!

I continue to wave the banner of caution, however, when blessings come it is necessary to share them.

After the earlier blog posting today, we received some disappointing news from the night nurse.  At 12:40am Clif's heart rate made another sudden drop.  This prompted the doctor on the night shift to have the nurse get forms ready for me to sign to allow for a pace maker installation.  I arrived this morning at COH, heavy hearted knowing what was awaiting.   Fortunately, God provided a way out.   I ran into the cardiologist getting off the elevator, we both arrived at the same time, I mentioned the above information and asked if there were any possible safe ways to avoid the device, he said, let me go back and check him out.  I remained in the waiting area for about 10 minutes then went back to his room in ICU and met up with the cardiologist again.  His first words were;  No Pace Maker!  The low Electrolytes and high Potassium Levels he feels were causing the sudden drops in the heart rate.  All was immediately adjusted and Clif has remained consistent.

With his WBC jumping into the 14.6 range, the first thought is.......... infection.  New antibiotics are presented and others discontinued.  Todays counts also include a stealthy HGB of 10.3 and  PLT's of 27.   He remains on .5 of Levophed to increase bp.  

Now for the good news, Clif has been breathing on his own (yet with the vent still in place) since 10:30am this morning, 5/22/2014.  He has been fairly alert and answering some questions with a nod or a squeeze.  The Versed sedation has been reduced to 1.6 and the Fentanyl pain drip should be to zero by tomorrow morning.  

Because we have reached such a delicate time in reducing meds to get him off the vent, I must stress that we are restricting all visitors for the next 2 days (5/23-5/24).  Clif is coming off some serious drugs, keeping him calm and non-agitated is a must.  Determining if delirium and hallucinations exist will be monitored closely.   Today he was seeing things on the walls, I assured him what was real and what was meds playing tricks on his brain, but still, he has to be talked through it to believe what is and isn't real.  

Attempts to remove the intubation should be happening tomorrow, God willing.  It's a very tricky process to eliminate the vent while still somewhat sedated and having a catheter in the artery of his right leg.  The slightest movements to the catheterized leg causes the dialysis machine to ring out loudly.  If Clif does not do this slowly and patiently they will increase sedation and continue at another time when he can better handle it.  

Please pray for continued positive results.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

PS.  This morning @ 5:39am on 5/23, Clif had another calm and uneventful night.  WBC 8.6, HGB 8.6, PLT 31.  Praise God!

3 comments:

  1. Alright! Pray hard for the weekend, y'all!

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  2. Yay, God!! Encore!! Encore!!!
    xoxoxo

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  3. Clif, you keep taking these challenges on one by one with amazing endurance, we will keep you in our prayers. God Bless & In Hoc, Tom

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