Back in the IMCU
Throughout the weekend, my dad’s saturation started to gradually drop. During Saturday’s evening feed, we noticed that my dad started coughing up what more and more looked like tube feed. His nurse stopped the feeding and things started going downhill from there. Throughout the night, he continued having more secretions and his saturation dropped even further. By Sunday morning, his breathing was extremely labored, shallow and rapid, requiring 80% oxygen and very frequent suctioning. His stomach was extremely distended, even compared to the day before. The X-ray and lab results confirmed that he had pneumonia (yet again) and ileus. The care team had two critical care nurses assigned to evaluate him, care for him and facilitate the transfer back to the IMCU. Right when we got down here to the IMCU, he threw up twice. Thankfully, prior to the transfer one of the critical care nurses requested the RT to inflate the cuff on the trach, which helped minimize the risk of him aspirating again.
This entire event triggered emotion and fear in me, since these are some of the same things I saw and mentioned back in Fairbanks prior to the respiratory distress and arrest. Thank you to everyone who heard, understood, and didn’t dismiss my concerns. Thank you for being attentive and responding quickly!
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As of right now, he is doing MUCH better. He is back on the nutrition and his body is tolerating it well. PT had him sitting in the recliner for an hour and his breathing and saturation was good throughout it all. He is no longer in the sand bed. The room feels oddly quiet, especially since it feels like we have had it forever. They got him a bed that has the sitting feature; this will help OT and PT when they come by for their sessions.
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This morning, the doctor informed me that he put in the orders to have him transferred back up to the 5th floor, since he is doing so much better. We will head up there once a room is available and everything is ready for the transfer.
*** Just got moved up to Room 553 :)