Dear Family and Friends
Good news and bad news today. Fortunately, the bad news is not terrible and the good news is plentiful!
First the bad news – Grayson has to spend another night in the ICU. That isn't so bad for Grayson as he gets to watch WAY more TV then we would allow! Regina, on the other hand, will be spending her night sleeping in a chair with one eye open, next to Grayson. The reason for another night is simply the slow adjustment to the removal of all of the "stuff" and general caution – ventilator weaning, catheter removal, wound care, gradual adjustment to non-sedation, starting to sit, stand and walk again, eating, passing fluids – you get the drill.
The list of good news is far longer! He was weaned off of his sedation mid-morning but kept on a drug to limit anxiety. His vent was removed at half-past noon and that changed his mood from agitated to happy. This afternoon he stood and was moved from his bed to a chair. All IVs were stopped at that point. He had his first meal (clear liquids) since a light breakfast Thursday, and his catheter was removed this evening. All in all, he is almost ready to come home!
The plan for the morning is to have him walk around, as he is only tethered to the EKG and BP machine. After that, it is time to be discharged – something that always seems to take way longer than it should! As unusual as it is, it appears that he will be going from the ICU to home. Youth is a wonderful thing when it comes to rapid recovery!
We visit his cardiologist next week for a follow-up, and this device (his third since 2004) should be good for another 5 to 7 years. For the next 2 weeks we will need to keep his left arm from moving over his head (not a small task) but we are now in recovery mode!
Regina and I thank you for your prayers, thoughts and kind words. This was a scary reminder of those days in 2009 where we lived in the ICU for 3 weeks. Fortunately, this was a much easier trip.
Pax!
Brant
Reminds me of my own days in the hospital. Having to negotiate every motion/move while keeping track of the various hoses attached to me in various places. Not all of which were properly connected, which added even MORE excitement to the experience. Fun, fun, fun.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know he's had his batteries and his rubber band or whatever equipment needed changing taken care of with reasonable aplomb, and soon we'll be back to "home mode." Which has its own challenges, but it's home. And that's really, really good!