Update #28

The leak In dads right lung still exist. Again it is small and manageable and does not cause grave concerns due to its slow rate and how dads lungs are beginning to look. New xrays display denser images and dads lungs are still pretty fragile and damaged but show improvement.

Doctors noticed a pleural effusion. This is basically excess fluid that has accumulated in a certain space in dads chest. This is not necessarily bad since the doctors expected this. This fluid has possibly come from what can be described as leaky valves above his Diaphragm. At this time with dads lung conditions there is no major concern for the leaky valves. Staff will still monitor this fluid and let know if anything actions may be needed. It is to early to tell if this is a reaction of dads body for the antibiotics and pushing the nasty stuff out. We can remain optimistic about that for now. This fluid is neither good nor bad at this point.

Today’s goal was to try to Wean dad off the sedation more. I discussed with doctors what would be their reaction for doing this if history repeats. Each time they have tried to wean him off dad tends to over breath on the ventilator and we end up circling back to where we started. What is different this time is that dads lungs have shown small improvements. Dads lungs appear to be able to flex more compared to before. His lungs appear strong enough where they want to try to get dad closer to breathing on his own and and successfully wake him. When the wean him off they will not react as quick and give chance to breath on his own and see how he does.

Dad is showing he wants to breath more on his own. Doing this will be good if dad can start breathing on his own. From this his body can heal much better and not depend so much on outside resources.

The tracheostomy team needed dad to test negative for covid. Dad has tested negative twice and they will be consulting for that surgery on Monday. This procedure will heighten dads chances of a better recovery and not depend heavily on certain medications. This will also allow dad to wake his brain functions with out being at a heightened risk from being sedated for so long. This would sufficiently decrease the chances of neurological damage.

Dads a fighter and it seems like he wants to wake and begin his healing.

Our family is full of fighters and clearly dad is fighting the best he can as we all would. Continue to communicate with each other and reach out if needed. Dad would appreciate our collective support and assistance in getting him through this illness TOGETHER. Family is huge for dad and he needs our strength in numbers, as a FAMILY.

Till next time...

Update #27

Small improvements continue. Dads levels and condition since yesterday have been fairly stable. Staff has not needed to make any major adjustments. Recently dads condition has caused a lot of fluctuation and staff appears to have found the “sweet spot” from vent setting and additional resources where dad seems comfortable. Dad is stable and they are slowly decreasing the paralytic medicine. With that said staff is in a static position and will monitor dad diligently. There are not much proactive actions that can be done right now and they dont want to aggravate anything further with the small improvements.

In addition, dad has had 2 test come back that have shown NEGATIVE for Covid-19. Staff has reached back out to the ENT( Ear nose and throat department) because dad is now a candidate again for the tracheostomy. This is a good thing since dad can slowly be woken up and have all the tubes and mechanisms removed from his throat and face With this procedure.

Dad is still very ill and needs the ventilator. His right lung still has a small leak somewhere but is at a point that is manageable for staff Take care Of. What that means is that staff has no major concern that the leak will affect anything else or cause collateral damage to any other part of his body.

Till next time...

Update #26

Doctors are still attending to dad the best they can. Small improvements the left lung pneumothorax appears completely clear and gone. They reiterated that the tube will remain in his left lung as a precaution in the event it flares up again. Dads right lung is still being treated. The fever that he had is gone and has not had it for a few days.

They decided to lower is Paralysis medication and see how he reacts with these small improvements.

Overall no major change And his condition is stable and slightly better than yesterday.