Dad asked me to post a quick update from the doctor's meeting today.
Sparing you the medical details that make even my head swim, Susan has a new fight a head. The tumor attached to her colon/pelvis is cancer. After the ordeal we've all been through this past week, this is just icing on the cake.
We have several physicians/specialist lined up to see Susan and prepare our plan of action.
Now, Susan says, "We don't have any course but to charge ahead!" She said those words; we all must take that attitude to heart and adopt it as our own.
It’s a lot to process for everyone involved.
Continue to send prayers and well wishes.
- Rebecca
Showing posts with label ICU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ICU. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Noon time Day 5
The latest from the collection of doctors is that progress is increasing in rate. The ICU doctor is targeting tomorrow for "extubating" (taking the ventilator tube out.) Today she is encouraged to do a lot of resting.
Right now, Pam is rubbing her feet and legs with a cool damp cloth to help her be more comfortable. The saga continues.
Right now, Pam is rubbing her feet and legs with a cool damp cloth to help her be more comfortable. The saga continues.
Day Five in ICU - Looking Good
Everyone here has just given a HUGE sign of relief. Susan has continued to improve and had a very good night. Another chest x-ray shows even less fluid in her lungs.
Everything is beating as it should (BP, respiration, percent of Oxygen in blood, etc.) Becca tells me I'm too fact oriented.) C'est la vie. The best news of all is we think Susan will come off the vent today. The doc actually said those words.
We all know that after 3.5 days of no talking my Darling Susan has many things to say!!! :)
Susan's personal assistant, Pam, has arrived and we are all so grateful she is here to care for Susan. Pam and Susan have such a special connection we know Susan will be much more comfortable with her Pam here to help.
There is still a long road to travel.
This is only the first few very hard steps.
Everything is beating as it should (BP, respiration, percent of Oxygen in blood, etc.) Becca tells me I'm too fact oriented.) C'est la vie. The best news of all is we think Susan will come off the vent today. The doc actually said those words.
We all know that after 3.5 days of no talking my Darling Susan has many things to say!!! :)
Susan's personal assistant, Pam, has arrived and we are all so grateful she is here to care for Susan. Pam and Susan have such a special connection we know Susan will be much more comfortable with her Pam here to help.
There is still a long road to travel.
This is only the first few very hard steps.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Day Four ICU - Evening Check In
Today's report - slow and steady progress.
Susan is still in the ICU and ventilator dependent, but she is slowly being weaned off. I spoke to her respiratory therapist today and she said that Susan is now initiating most of her breathing which is a great improvement to just a few days ago. She is on 40 percent oxygen, much improved from the 80 percent.
This is the best we could ask for.
She's doing really well. We all just need to be patient and let her body heal.
Dad's with her now and may have more news later tonight. Frank and I will be heading back to NJ tomorrow so Dad will be on his own for a few days. Any extra help from the locals would be welcome.
Susan is still in the ICU and ventilator dependent, but she is slowly being weaned off. I spoke to her respiratory therapist today and she said that Susan is now initiating most of her breathing which is a great improvement to just a few days ago. She is on 40 percent oxygen, much improved from the 80 percent.
This is the best we could ask for.
She's doing really well. We all just need to be patient and let her body heal.
Dad's with her now and may have more news later tonight. Frank and I will be heading back to NJ tomorrow so Dad will be on his own for a few days. Any extra help from the locals would be welcome.
Day Four ICU - Morning
We are cautiously optimistic to report Susan is doing better today. A chest x-ray has shown the fluid levels in her lungs has decreased AND she is dependent on ventilator support for 40 percent oxygen. Twenty percent lower\better than last night. If she continues to improve at this progress, we are hopeful she will not be on the ventilator too much longer.
I spoke with the infectious disease doc this morning and confirmed she does not have sepsis. A HUGE relief. She had a localized infection in her abdomen from the rupture. She is receiving some nutrition via a g-tube and we're hoping her gut "wakes up" as they call it. Things need to start moving again, and they are, slowly.
Dad is holding up as well as to be expected and is starting to think and plan about Susan's care post ICU. Susan has spent many, many months in hospitals and is most comfortable when she has someone with her. Right now, she is sedated and has almost one on one nursing care. Once she moves to a step-down unit, she will need us more.
We are assembling a "care team" of close friends and family to sign up for shifts to allow my Dad to escape home, or catch a few hours of sleep. We don't anticipate implementing this care team for at least a week to 10 days.
I am impressed with the care Susan's receiving in the ICU. The staff is competent AND compassionate. The nurses and docs are knowledgeable and follow up on the myriad questions I ask. I've grilled them all about procedures, medications and expectations of recovery. They all smile and warmly say that every patient is different and we need to take this one day at a time. Not the easiest answer to process for me. But we will be patient. Hurry up and wait for our Susan to get better.
We all know Susan is a fighter. She will get through this.
Thank you all for your warm wishes.
Fondly,
Rebecca
I spoke with the infectious disease doc this morning and confirmed she does not have sepsis. A HUGE relief. She had a localized infection in her abdomen from the rupture. She is receiving some nutrition via a g-tube and we're hoping her gut "wakes up" as they call it. Things need to start moving again, and they are, slowly.
Dad is holding up as well as to be expected and is starting to think and plan about Susan's care post ICU. Susan has spent many, many months in hospitals and is most comfortable when she has someone with her. Right now, she is sedated and has almost one on one nursing care. Once she moves to a step-down unit, she will need us more.
We are assembling a "care team" of close friends and family to sign up for shifts to allow my Dad to escape home, or catch a few hours of sleep. We don't anticipate implementing this care team for at least a week to 10 days.
I am impressed with the care Susan's receiving in the ICU. The staff is competent AND compassionate. The nurses and docs are knowledgeable and follow up on the myriad questions I ask. I've grilled them all about procedures, medications and expectations of recovery. They all smile and warmly say that every patient is different and we need to take this one day at a time. Not the easiest answer to process for me. But we will be patient. Hurry up and wait for our Susan to get better.
We all know Susan is a fighter. She will get through this.
Thank you all for your warm wishes.
Fondly,
Rebecca
Day Three ICU - Evening Check In
Susan is still being supported by a ventilator. The oxygen level has been reduced to 50%. It started at 80% -- so this is progress. Her fluid levels are decreasing. Good. Her BP is still above 100/xx. Good. She is being cared for by some very very caring and skilled medical staff. Last night she was given a bath by her tiny little nurse. I know she appreciated it.
Mary, Bob, Becca and Frank have been an immense support to me. Susan will be even more comfortable when her personal assistant arrives this evening.
We may be in need of an extra room, or place for our out of town care givers to stay. Preferably somewhere near the hospital or our apartment in Van Ness North. Please give me a call if you can help.
Susan is still seriously ill. It is not time yet for flowers or visitors; send your love and caring by commenting on this space. We'll let people know when visits are possible.
More later.
Much love, John
Mary, Bob, Becca and Frank have been an immense support to me. Susan will be even more comfortable when her personal assistant arrives this evening.
We may be in need of an extra room, or place for our out of town care givers to stay. Preferably somewhere near the hospital or our apartment in Van Ness North. Please give me a call if you can help.
Susan is still seriously ill. It is not time yet for flowers or visitors; send your love and caring by commenting on this space. We'll let people know when visits are possible.
More later.
Much love, John
Friday, June 18, 2010
Day Three in ICU - Afternoon Check in
Becca and Frank are heading home on Sunday. They plan to return later next week. Susan's wonderful Personal Assistant, Pam, will be back in town tomorrow and on at least for Sunday.
Day Three in ICU
RN reports that her fluid levels are beginning to balance. Her BP is now over 100/xxx. These are good signs. A chest XRay is ordered. That will give us a picture of the fluid level in her lungs. We hope it will be less than yesterday.
She is conscious-in and out. We are making sure she is comfortable and not in any pain. Resting is the most important thing for her now. Today she has two nurses and is monitored very closely. Rebecca, Frank, Mary and Bob are her with me now.
ICU MD visited and showed us her films from this AM. Susan's lung function is unchanged. She is receiving 80% oxygen. The MD says it should be 20%.
This will be a long, long process.
Careful monitoring of diagnostic data changes. Prevention of further infection. Work to restore the proper balance of her vascular system, which will reduce the fluid in the lungs. The lungs have had an acute injury (MD called it that name) to tiny vessels; it will only recover with time.
She recognizes us and blinks and grimaces to communicate. She is not feeling much pain.
This is a lot to process for everyone involved. If you feel like you need to "do" something... please just keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.
We are unsure how long my daughter and Susan's sister are able to stay. I may need some support from my local friends, walking Lucy, watering plants or feeding John. It is hard for anyone to ask for help in this situation, so please offer if you are able.
We will keep you updated if anything changes.
Much love,
John
She is conscious-in and out. We are making sure she is comfortable and not in any pain. Resting is the most important thing for her now. Today she has two nurses and is monitored very closely. Rebecca, Frank, Mary and Bob are her with me now.
ICU MD visited and showed us her films from this AM. Susan's lung function is unchanged. She is receiving 80% oxygen. The MD says it should be 20%.
This will be a long, long process.
Careful monitoring of diagnostic data changes. Prevention of further infection. Work to restore the proper balance of her vascular system, which will reduce the fluid in the lungs. The lungs have had an acute injury (MD called it that name) to tiny vessels; it will only recover with time.
She recognizes us and blinks and grimaces to communicate. She is not feeling much pain.
This is a lot to process for everyone involved. If you feel like you need to "do" something... please just keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.
We are unsure how long my daughter and Susan's sister are able to stay. I may need some support from my local friends, walking Lucy, watering plants or feeding John. It is hard for anyone to ask for help in this situation, so please offer if you are able.
We will keep you updated if anything changes.
Much love,
John
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Day Two in ICU
Rebecca here...
Frank and I joined my dad early this morning in DC. We immediately went to the hospital to check on Susan. Mary (Susan's sister) and her husband Robert joined us.
Today's update: Susan is still in the ICU and fully dependent on a ventilator due to fluid in her lungs. She has several drains and tubes to help reduce her fluid levels. The medical staff has her sedated and she is not in any pain. We are trying to find the right balance of sedation to keep her blood pressure stable and we are anxiously hoping the fluid recedes from her lung.
Susan has had a few moments of consciousness and knows who is with her. She gave me a wink when I said I love you.
Susan is fighting infection and our worst fear is sepsis.
We are literally taking it one hour at a time and praying for an improvement.
Please continue to pray for our Susan. We are not out of the woods yet.
Dad will post more once we have any updates.
- Rebecca
Frank and I joined my dad early this morning in DC. We immediately went to the hospital to check on Susan. Mary (Susan's sister) and her husband Robert joined us.
Today's update: Susan is still in the ICU and fully dependent on a ventilator due to fluid in her lungs. She has several drains and tubes to help reduce her fluid levels. The medical staff has her sedated and she is not in any pain. We are trying to find the right balance of sedation to keep her blood pressure stable and we are anxiously hoping the fluid recedes from her lung.
Susan has had a few moments of consciousness and knows who is with her. She gave me a wink when I said I love you.
Susan is fighting infection and our worst fear is sepsis.
We are literally taking it one hour at a time and praying for an improvement.
Please continue to pray for our Susan. We are not out of the woods yet.
Dad will post more once we have any updates.
- Rebecca
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