Since Luke was admitted Wednesday morning, he has been on isolation. Since he came in with respiratory distress, drainage and chest congestion, the doctors, nurses and respiratory team have been wearing gowns, masks and gloves anytime they enter the room. The last of the cultures came back negative on Saturday, but the weekend doctors like to just maintain things and not make many changes.
We were told that Infectious Control will usually leave a patient on isolation until all symptoms are clear. This morning our unit leader called to request that Luke be cleared, and we were just told that he is offically off isolation!
Luke seems to really like the hospital and not care about going home anytime soon. Since early this morning, his oxygen has been increased from 5 to 8 liters. He was just not getting enough oxygen when sleeping. They are starting to wean him down again today and right now we are at 7 liters.
He will have an ENT bedside consult to rule out any physical airway abnormalities. Our hope is that ENT will say he is normal, his oxygen can be weaned quickly, and that he will make it through the night without any setbacks.
Rachel is going back to work either Wednesday-Friday or Thursday-Saturday. We have arrangements for Jack the rest of the week and Rachel's dad is having rotator cuff surgery on Friday. It will be a long and busy rest of the week - hoping that we can get enough rest and stay healthy ourselves.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Luke needs prayers
Luke had a good day yesterday. He seemed to be feeling much better, did not want to nap much, and played with his toys for part of the afternoon. His breathing treatments are down to every six hours now, and before bed his oxygen was weaned from 6 liters down to 5.
He is still getting a slow, continuous feed through his tube - his oxygen needs to be down to 2 liters before he can begin trying bottle feeding.
Luke does not like 3am. The first night after he was admitted (Wednesday night/Thursday morning), he was working so hard to breathe and really looked bad. The respiratory therapist called the ICU doctor and resident on call to look at him and Luke was one step away from moving to intensive care and getting a breathing tube.
Luke finished a breathing treatment about an hour ago, but now is oxygen level is down to 92-94%. Normal is close to 100% and right now his orders are to be 94 or above. His oxygen has been increased from 5 liters to 6, but it has been an hour and his numbers are not getting any better.
We really need your prayers now. It's been exhausting and stressful enough already, and any setbacks just further delay bottle feeding and decrease his chances of being home in the next couple of days.
He is still getting a slow, continuous feed through his tube - his oxygen needs to be down to 2 liters before he can begin trying bottle feeding.
Luke does not like 3am. The first night after he was admitted (Wednesday night/Thursday morning), he was working so hard to breathe and really looked bad. The respiratory therapist called the ICU doctor and resident on call to look at him and Luke was one step away from moving to intensive care and getting a breathing tube.
Luke finished a breathing treatment about an hour ago, but now is oxygen level is down to 92-94%. Normal is close to 100% and right now his orders are to be 94 or above. His oxygen has been increased from 5 liters to 6, but it has been an hour and his numbers are not getting any better.
We really need your prayers now. It's been exhausting and stressful enough already, and any setbacks just further delay bottle feeding and decrease his chances of being home in the next couple of days.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunday morning update
I spent the night in my own bed last night! Rachel wanted to give me the night off, so I'll be with Luke most of the day (and hopefully get him to watch some football). Rachel said his oxygen is down to 5 liters, so maybe by tomorrow he will be low enough to try bottles. His feeding tube had to be replaced last night, but as far as I know he hasn't had any problems with the new one.
Here are some more pictures of Jack's fun the last two days:
Ryleigh playing with Jack
Ryleigh and Rowan both wanted to feed Jack, so he had lots of food to choose from
Two more of Jack and Walker:
Here are some more pictures of Jack's fun the last two days:
Ryleigh playing with Jack
Ryleigh and Rowan both wanted to feed Jack, so he had lots of food to choose from
Two more of Jack and Walker:
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Jack is having fun
Thanks to everyone who has been helping watch Jack this week. Wednesday and Thursday he spent the day with Mimi and Pop Pop. Yesterday Samantha Ray had him for the day and her girls Ryleigh and Rowan had a great time playing with him (sorry - no pictures because the hospital blocks Facebook).
Today Jodie McGinley has Jack and he is having a great time with Walker. Here are some pictures she sent us:
Lindsey Deaton stopped by with lunch for us and gifts for Luke. Thanks so much!
Today Jodie McGinley has Jack and he is having a great time with Walker. Here are some pictures she sent us:
Lindsey Deaton stopped by with lunch for us and gifts for Luke. Thanks so much!
Another good night for Luke
Luke had a good night - I slept pretty good, so he didn't get very loud or too upset. The doctors and everyone else following him have just made their rounds and are pleased with how he is looking and sounding. Yesterday Luke started getting some continuous Pediasure through his feeding tube and today he will do the same but mixed with a few more calories.
His oxygen is at 8 liters and 40% - the weaning is going very slowly. No one's thinking about discharge anytime soon - today we are just continuing along and praying the positive progress continues.
His oxygen is at 8 liters and 40% - the weaning is going very slowly. No one's thinking about discharge anytime soon - today we are just continuing along and praying the positive progress continues.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Visitors welcome
Forgot to mention that we would love visitors. Luke should be here at least through the weekend, and familiar faces are definitely welcome!
We are at Childrens Hospital and visiting hours are 9am-9pm. We are on the 3rd floor, just up the red elevators at the front of the hospital. Luke is in Unit 3C room 4.
We are at Childrens Hospital and visiting hours are 9am-9pm. We are on the 3rd floor, just up the red elevators at the front of the hospital. Luke is in Unit 3C room 4.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)