Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Update

Thank you for all the prayers and comments. It is great to read them throughout the day and very uplifting. They have a pc hooked up to a big plasma screen in the room but it's difficult to use for anything other than viewing things on the pc.

On Saturday and Sunday, they had a lot of issues attempting to control Dear Son's blood pressure, despite adding a medicine to control it. He was so unstable on Saturday that I was rather worried he was going to die on Mother's Day and was relieved to make it through the day. Mother's Day started out o.k. until they did a power check at the hospital and the power was shut off briefly for testing. I wish they would have told me that. My heart skipped a few beats as the power went off and I quickly looked at Dear Son who was still breathing on the ventilator. It took me a minute to realize that it probably had a battery back up. The second thought that entered my mind was what it must have been like when Hurricane Katrina hit with the power going out in the hospitals. I later confirmed with a staff member that I know that it was indeed a valid test of the power.

On Sunday evening, they did a blood transfusion due to the low hemoglobin (7.5). I had many reservations about authorizing this; I don't do this every day and was concerned about the safety of it. The blood transfusion appeared to have stabalized the blood pressure however the chest x ray continues to get worse. Yesterday, the lungs were not visible at all on the xray (they showed it to me) and he was considered a bad stable so to speak. Today's x-ray was unchanged.

During the rounds today, they indicated that this is a MRSA pneumonia. (The MRSA is not surprising-Dear Son has had over 50 hospitalizations in his life and the MRSA was diagnosed back in 2004). From what I am told, this makes it more problematic since he was so sick when he presented and because the MRSA pneumonia will make it more difficult to wean him from the ventilator since Dear Son is not very active (he is bedridden normally). The ventilator settings remain unchanged. They also indicated that we will remain in the PICU for some time. He has also become hyperglycemic as a result of the steroid so they will be keeping insulin at the bedside.

That is all for now. The doctors and nurses here have really done a great job and I am thankful for that.

18 comments:

Kim said...

Oh man,

First of all, I was stunned to see this over at MamaDoc, haven't be able to do a lot of blog reading with hubby in hosptial and now I need to catch up.

Dear Son is in my prayers - as are you and your family.

I'm always available via email at kmcallister911 at yahoo dot com should you need to ventilate what you don't want to post.

Too bad the one thing you can't really send over the internet is a hug {{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}!

Fat Doctor said...

Dear God: Give this woman some peace during this difficult time. Amen.

Cathy said...

I hope there are family member's helping you through this. I wish I could be of use to you. To sit with Dear Son so you could take a break or just sit with you.

Please know you are in my heart and in my Prayers. There are many Prayers going out to you and Dear Son, as well as too "Mama Doc."

Ex Utero said...

I'm sorry it took your son's most recent illness for me to come over and look at your blog. You write beautifully.

Thinking of your son and his fight with MRSA.

Anonymous said...

You and Dear Son are on my mind. Wish I could help in some way.

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog for a few months, but never commented. You, your son, and his dad are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Dear Dream Mom,
Praying that God continues to meet your needs and the needs of Dear Son as you go through this difficult time. You have been in my thoughts and prayers all day. Thanks for the update.

Awesome Mom said...

You and Dear Son are still in my prayers. I hope that things will get better for you both!!

HP said...

Continuing to send prayers and good thoughts your way. I hope things turn for the better soon.

oncRN said...

i'm with you dream mom, sending you both peace.

Neurotic Illini Fan said...

Dream Mom,

Holding you and Dear Son in continued prayers.

NIF

Chili Pepper said...

Dream Mom,

Dear Son is in my prayers. Take care of yourself too.

I enjoy reading your blog. Your writing is clear and beautiful and you have challenged my unconscious assumptions about the differently-abled. Thank you for that.

Chili.

Runawayimagination said...

I pray that Peace will come for you and your son. You are his angel, and your story is truly inspirational for everyone who reads your blog.

Norma said...

My prayers this evening are for Dear Son. And you, Dream Mom.

red fish said...

God bless you and your son.

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of people you have never met that care about you and your dear son. I am glad to be one of them.

I know that watching your son in this condition can't be easy. Please remember to take care of yourself now so that you can deal with this nightmare.

Continuing my prayers for you and your family -

Anonymous said...

oh, hon...I will most defintitely keep you and Dear son in my thoughts and prayers.

Sending hugs your way...multiple hugs!!!!!

Christa said...

You and Dear Son are in my thoughts and prayers.

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