Thursday, July 30, 2009

Daily Update

This post will have daily updates on Chuck's recovery. Use the QUICK LINKS on the sidebar at the left for a quick check in without reading all entries. See previous updates below in comments.

8/7 Shelley is with Chuck today. He smiled at the voices of cousin Shirley and sister Rebecca over the phone. He smiled at Shelley's joke. He has raised him arm two separate times to indicate "yes" to a question Shelley asked him. He might be coming through with a way to communicate!



8/7
Met with all dept heads yesterday and made following changes: Chuck to receive regular aerosol treatments to keep airway secretions thinner, Chuck to receive "sleep study" to determine patterns and evaluate medication, change to 6 a day feeding instead of continuous feed, was finally treated for UTI after 5-6 agonizing days of wait, flat bad mattress changed to concave, spoke directly to treating Dr. about urgency to escalate trach removal process which has stalled for 2 weeks. It poses constant risk of infection, clogging and pnuemonia, and Chuck very likely hasn't needed it for it for some time as he swallows well and breathes powerfully on his own when the trach is covered.

9 comments:

  1. 7/30 Close to midnight. Continued progress today. Chuck was brought to a standing position with supports and bore his own weight for 20 minutes. There were nearly a dozen nurses, aides and therapists standing around cheering and weeping. Afterwards, I got to take him out to the courtyard in a wheelchair where we enjoyed a a natural quiet, away from hospital sounds, for a full 30 minutes.

    Consulted with two reknowned expert/academics in the TBI field today who will help me keep an eye to the broad and long view.

    I feel it necessary to spend more and more hours with Chuck because it's important to work with him in the many hours that he's active. I do a good deal of resistance work and bicycling with his still-powerful legs. I also spend many hours just lying next to him to help him be still and rest.

    Once he follows commands like hand-squeezing or eye-blinking more consistently, we'll be looking to get him to Edwin Shaw rehab facility. He has the physical stamina for rehab (three hours a day), but he's just not cognitively responsive enough yet to maximize the experience.

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  2. Chuck,

    So happy to hear of your progress!

    Bill Lowery

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  3. 8/2/09
    Appears more aware and definitely more active. Responds to taste and cold. Opens mouth to receive ice chip. Chews, swallows. Glowing countenance. Moving arm in new direction. Moved head in backward motion. Auburn

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  4. 8/5 Removed catheter. Chuck had been extremely uncomfortable with it for many days and likely has developed an infection. For some reason, it is taking nearly a week to get the infection diagnosed and treated, hence the need for his own doctor. We want to get much more aggressive on the removal of his trach. He doesn't need it and remains at much higher risk of complications like pneumonia with it in. Have to get the trach out to think about getting the feeding tube out. Chuck's body is ready for all of this if only we can keep the apathetic machinery of institutional medicine from making him sick while we wait.

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  5. 8/6 Chuck is able to take a few steps when they move him from bed to chair. In therapy today he did some rolling and head lifting. He also stuck his tongue out today for the speech therapist. Looking to get him his own personal physician in order to get trach removal and feeding tube removal on a faster track. Finally started an antibiotic treatment for a UTI he's had all week. (Took way too long to get that treated.) Really love the physical therapist and the gentle, effective way she works with Chuck. She knows TBI's from years of experience at Edwin Shaw. Big meeting tomorrow to address a number of safety issues including our concern that Chuck might pull out trach and/or feeding tube as he becomes more conscious.

    I'm pretty deep into a bronchial infection right now. Probably will need to see a doc myself before long, but am in excellent spirits. I feel Chuck is making rapid progress now. Auburn

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  6. Met with all dept heads yesterday and made following changes: Chuck to receive regular aerosol treatments to keep airway secretions thinner, Chuck to receive "sleep study" to determine patterns and evaluate medication, change to 6 a day feeding instead of continuous feed, was finally treated for UTI after 5-6 agonizing days of wait, flat bad mattress changed to concave, spoke directly to treating Dr. about urgency to escalate trach removal process which has stalled for 2 weeks. It poses constant risk of infection, clogging and pnuemonia, and Chuck very likely hasn't needed it for it for some time as he swallows well and breathes powerfully on his own when the trach is covered.

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  7. 8/7 Shelley is with Chuck today. He smiled at the voices of cousin Shirley and sister Rebecca over the phone. He smiled at Shelley's joke. He has raised him arm two separate times to indicate "yes" to a question Shelley asked him. He might be coming through with a way to communicate!

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  8. we love you chuck and holding praying for you all william & julie smith findlay

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  9. I am reminded that prayer is the medium of miracles. It's time to recognize the power of blessings and prayer. Your amazing accomplishments just reinforces my faith. I will continue on our prayer quest. Here's to you Chuck and Auburn. Love Wilma

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