Dad is finally resting quietly in the Critical Care Trauma Centre (or better known as the ICU). During the procedure for intubation this morning, the doctors sedated him. Dad's lungs did not respond well to the vent at first and his body was fighting against the tube. The team ended up giving him a nerve-blocker to paralyze his torso/arms/legs, which settled his lungs and allowed him to rest quietly. They also inserted a feeding tube and arterial line during this procedure. There are other tubes for secretions from the lungs. They did a chest x-ray to ensure that everything is in the proper place and Dad's ICU nurse has kept a close eye, making adjustments to machinery and medications as needed. Dad's blood counts are very good today, due to the neupogen. 4.1 for whites, 103 for hemoglobin, and 12 for platelets. They gave him another unit of platelets today because of the procedures they were doing, as the ability for Dad's blood to clot is incredibly important. There are many tests and stats to watch, and it is hard for us to keep everything straight. We are incredibly thankful for the calm, competent staff of the ICU.
The doctors want to give Dad a 24 hour rest period before they take a bronchial biopsy of his lungs which would confirm the fungal pneumonia and give the team a better picture of which direction to take in terms of treatment. It took a while to get his oxygen sats to the right level again after intubation and Dad is under quite a bit of stress. They want to give him some time to sleep and rest quietly, allowing his lungs to adjust and some healing to take place. The team also explained that they hope to give Dad two full days of sedation/nerve-block. They will then slowly wean him off the vent, likely starting on Tuesday. The nurse told us to expect that Dad will be in the ICU for the week.
Psalm 20:1-7
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May He send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
May He remember all your offerings and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices!
May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
7 comments:
We continue to pray. What a blessing a competent ICU staff is in a time of trouble, also a gift from our Heavenly Father.
The Toets, Guelph
How wonderful that even though your Dad is having a really rough time of it right now, his numbers are doing so well. And the fact that the staff is saying that he will stay in ICU for the week, is also very positive. Thankful for all the positives, and praying the Lord will give him the necessary time to get past this bump in the road to good health. Whatever happens, he is in his Father's hands, and His Father doesn't make mistakes! Keep the faith, Vanderdeens!
Thea H
This must have been and continues to be, a very scary time for you all, watching as he struggles and his condition worsened - praying for strength for all of you! Having worked in ICU for years it is easy to see how overwhelming it all can be for you...glad to hear that the staff are so good. Praying that these interventions will be successful in bringing him back to full health!
Constant prayers!! -The Bryan Family
Praying now.. and reading Psalm 31 - a psalm of pleading with the Lord in times of distress and persecution by enemies - yet the words are filling my soul and I am praying them for you and the whole family - that you may be strong and let your hearts take courage, all you who wait on the Lord (vs 24).
Many hugs from here...
Danielle and Timothy
Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you all in this difficult time. Please pass on our well wishes to the rest of your family.
Ivan & Hyewon
Continually keeping you in our prayers
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