Sunday, June 21, 2009

ICU Day 3

I have no idea when the pulmonary doctors will take Andre off the ventilator. His arterial blood gas from this morning still showed elevated CO2 even though he is relaxed and fully sedated. The docs are thinking it might be due to having too much carbohydrates in his TPN (his "food" that goes directly into his bloodstream), or more likely due to Andre having significant alveolar dead space. Unfortunately, the people who can measure the latter only works on weekdays. As for the TPN issue, they want to increase what they started yesterday which is delivery the nutrients via the feeding tube . They first need to review what the GI docs have found last week in terms of his GVHD in the gut.

In the wee hours of the morning, Andre had an episode that the docs refer to as "ICU delirium". They gave him an extra dose of Haldol to relax him. What worries me about his current level of sedation is his lack of responsiveness to the folks in the room. As an example, he "woke up" half-an hour ago (1 PM) for about 10 minutes but I was not able to communicate with him. He just looked dazed and not there--it scared me to think that his mind isn't there. I want my old, feisty, middle finger-giving Andre back.

7 comments:

Paul Y. said...

Wow, hang tuff Ed, you can get through this as I am sure Andre will. Andre just needs a little time to get back on track. He as been through allot and I am sure it must be tuff on you to see he go through it.

Ed said...

Thanks Paul. Is this Paul from the SCCA?

Anonymous said...

Ed, thanks for being there for my brother - you're both fighting the good fight.
Rick

Paul Y. said...

Paul Y. not Paul S. from the TSBA.

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you both

Teresa

Roobeedoo said...

More positive thoughts.

spiritwoman34atmsn.com said...

Still sending Reiki to you both...