Ok....this one is going to be a quickie!
We have just made it home and are going to turn in early after a very long and exhausting day at the hospital.
Not too much new since the last update.
The plan is to extubate dad tomorrow (take him off of the breathing machine). The doctors are all aware of his stubborn nature and strong will, so the pulmonologist (lung doctor) has said that they will probably just turn off the sedation and extubate right away. Often they like to wean the medicine off and watch for a few hours and then pull out the breathing tube. In dad's case, I don't know how well he would handle that. The pulmonologist said that he really thinks that dad will need a lung surgery but doesn't want to just keep him on the breathing machine if we don't have to.
The anesthesiologist also came by to check on dad, which I thought was nice. He also mentioned that during surgery they did an internal ultrasound of his heart. He said they saw that his left ventricle was enlarged, which is common with untreated high blood pressure, like dad's. He also said he had some issues with his mitral valve and that we would need to watch that. He said, obviously, they wouldn't do anything surgical to it at this time and that he may do fine for years with out needing any surgery. I think he just wanted to give us a forewarning. I will ask the surgeon/cardiologist more about that tomorrow, since it isn't something that he discussed with us earlier.
Today was a long, exhausting day, but tomorrow is going to be the real test! We are going to eat our Wheaties for sure!!!
I am sure that I will be in bed before Delainey tonight and am hoping and praying that dad will surprise us with calmness and understanding! We can use all the good vibes we can get!
We love you all and appreciate everything!!!
We have just made it home and are going to turn in early after a very long and exhausting day at the hospital.
Not too much new since the last update.
The plan is to extubate dad tomorrow (take him off of the breathing machine). The doctors are all aware of his stubborn nature and strong will, so the pulmonologist (lung doctor) has said that they will probably just turn off the sedation and extubate right away. Often they like to wean the medicine off and watch for a few hours and then pull out the breathing tube. In dad's case, I don't know how well he would handle that. The pulmonologist said that he really thinks that dad will need a lung surgery but doesn't want to just keep him on the breathing machine if we don't have to.
The anesthesiologist also came by to check on dad, which I thought was nice. He also mentioned that during surgery they did an internal ultrasound of his heart. He said they saw that his left ventricle was enlarged, which is common with untreated high blood pressure, like dad's. He also said he had some issues with his mitral valve and that we would need to watch that. He said, obviously, they wouldn't do anything surgical to it at this time and that he may do fine for years with out needing any surgery. I think he just wanted to give us a forewarning. I will ask the surgeon/cardiologist more about that tomorrow, since it isn't something that he discussed with us earlier.
Today was a long, exhausting day, but tomorrow is going to be the real test! We are going to eat our Wheaties for sure!!!
I am sure that I will be in bed before Delainey tonight and am hoping and praying that dad will surprise us with calmness and understanding! We can use all the good vibes we can get!
We love you all and appreciate everything!!!
Well, glad the first day is down. Will be sending some "good vibes" your way. I hope the plan of attack goes smoothly today.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck (you may need it)!!!
Thinking of you!! Praying for your strength during this very challenging time!
ReplyDeleteApril Blakley