Transplant 2 Day 33 - Part 1

This is Karen, posting for my parents.  I hope to post throughout the day on Dad's condition.

Dad was transferred to the ICU early this morning at 4:30 am due to shortness of breath and critically low oxygen saturation levels in his blood.  Mom stayed overnight at the hospital with him last night and he just did not sleep.  He is very confused and agitated, trying to pull off his oxygen mask whenever he can.  They did a chest x-ray, CKG of the heart, blood tests in his isolation room last night.  His creatinine is doing better (measurement of the kidneys) which is good.  His fever did not come back last night either.

His oxygen needs continued to become more critical as the night wore on so they transferred him to ICU.  He was put right away onto a bipap machine, that pushes pressurized air into his lungs.  They also hooked him to a catheter, heart monitor, and many other lines/machines to monitor him closely.  Dad is very confused and frustrated, as he cannot remember where he is or why he needs the mask.  The confusion is due to being sick but also exhausted, as he hasn't slept in 48 hours.  He keeps trying to talk with us and we have a hard time understanding him through the mask, which frustrates him more.

The doctors switched him to a c-pap (which is less pressurized air) in an attempt to get him to settle more and breathe easier, but he still was breathing too quickly and struggling with this machine.  So they made the decision to intubate him with a breathing tube.  While they are doing this procedure, they will also insert a feeding tube.  Dad will be sedated for this and hopefully, it will allow him to rest more easily and actually get some sleep.

Our oncologist joined the ICU team and explained to us this morning that engraftment is causing swelling in Dad's body, primarily in his lungs.  Combined with the fungal pneumonia, Dad is having a hard time getting air.  The intubation will push the air through his lungs and give his body a chance to rest, allowing the antibiotics and other medications to work.

Mom and I are waiting in the waiting room, the rest of the family is on their way.  Thank you for your prayers!