3/19/2012 4:00 PM

Dad was back to the trailer this past Friday. He was sent home with oxygen and a walker. He will have rehab for roughly a month (that can be done in Indiana as well) and he has doctor appointments down there next week.

Not sure what the status is on the return to Indiana until after those appointments.

03/16/2012 9:30 AM

Well, funny how things go, we aren't sure what is happening today. One doctor scheduled an appointment at his office for 12:00 ... and the staff at the hospital said there is no way he will be released by then.

We think he will be out today, but not certain. He will be bringing a walker and oxygen home with him.

When I know more I will update.

Thanks to all.

3/14/12 5:45 PM

The doctor has cleared Dad to come home on Friday. However, he will have oxygen and likely a walker. But that is such good news. There are still a few things that could prohibit that, but as of now, things look good.

Thanks again for all the prayers and support.

3/13/2012 4:00 PM

Dad was told today by the rehab people that he could go home today or tomorrow, but that he would be on oxygen.

Turns out that the doctor has not been made aware of this, so there is some confusion about where things stand. Mom said she hopes to talk to the nurse yet today. If I get word, I will make another post.

Rebecca (my daughter) arrived today, it is her spring break and she will be helping Grandma and Grandpa.

Note: to my Texas friends, please ask Rebecca if she has a rock in her luggage. Likely you will see her roll her eyes and say something like "Dad!" Then make her tell you about carrying a five pound rock in her backpack when she was younger. PS: This will likely cause Rebecca to start making up stories about me, don't believe her. :-)

03/12/2012 6:30 PM

Dad is in better spirits today. There are six things that are being measured, Dad has to have a 6 on all 6 of those measurements. So far, he has six on four of them, and a four on the other two. As good as that sounds, Dad is ready to be out of there. Thank you again for all your prayers.

03-11-20129:35 PM

Dad is in better spirits today. He got to see his puppy yesterday (thanks Davey)

Rehab continues to crawl along, Dad wants to go home, but knows he isn't ready yet. Please pray for patience.

Thanks

3/8/12 4:00 PM

Dad has been moved to a rehab facility. Mom said visiting hours at the rehab center are from 5:00 to 8:00. Hope to have more detail tomorrow.

03/07/12 4:20 PM

They will be moving Dad to a rehab center this afternoon or tonight. That is good news. I don't know how long they will keep him there, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

03/06/2012 - 3:30PM

Not much change. Well, the frustration is a little higher. It was mentioned to Dad that he might get to go home today. Mom said she wished they hadn't said that because now it looks like it won't be today. Please pray for both of them to be patient.

Thanks

3/5/12 3:30 PM

Dad's oxygen level is getting stronger. Physical Therapist is coming in today to evaluate Dad's condition. Today is the last day of his antibiotics so hopefully the treatment is complete. Things are moving in the right direction, just slowly.

3/5/12 8:30 AM

Sorry I missed yesterday's post, got home and trying to get things back in order there, I got busy and forgot. They removed Dad's catheter yesterday and have reduced his oxygen in-take. He is getting stronger and there are signs of improvement every day ... just not fast enough for him. He asked the Dr if he could go home, he said he wanted to see his dog. Lol ... after that, he looked at Mom and said, if I promise to let you drive, can I go home. I hope it happens soon.

3/3/12 9:00 AM

Dad continues to make progress. The doctor said it will be slow. Mom has asked that I only update this once a day from now forward. I will try to make a post by 5:00 pm each day. (Not today because Mark and I are flying home today)

Mom is so thankful that each of you have checked on Dad and have been praying for his recovery.

Thank you again for your support.

3/2/12 10:00 AM

More good news, Dad fed himself part of his breakfast today. The doctor just came in and ordered physical therapy to start working with Dad. Dad's oxygen levels are still not where they need to be and that is now the key to him getting to go home.

Dad keeps asking when he will get to go home. I know his frustration is mounting.

Please continue your prayers and thank you all so much for the love and concern.

3/1/12 9:00 PM

Dad is settled in his new room. He is still very weak, but at least he is out of ICU. The food keeps getting more and more solid. It will now be a matter of building his strength. That may take a while.

Thanks again for all the love sent this way.

3/1/12 4:30 PM

Dad has been taken out of ICU and placed in a regular room. He is up to pudding, as far as solid foods go, but things are really looking good!!!

3/1/12 10:15 AM

The nurse just told us that the doctor has released Dad to move from ICU to a regular room. The nurse said it will happen yet today.

3/1/12 10:00 AM

The physical therapist just put Dad in a chair. He is sitting up and a little aggravated. The nurses think he has no idea how bad he had it and that he thinks he should be released.

Continued good signs, thank you again for all your prayers.

2/29/12 6:16 PM

Dad is eating, all-be-it liquid food, he is eating. He says things taste good and told Mom to make it last, so he still has a sense of humor. It is so good to look into his eyes and see him again, before his eyes were glazed over, from the anesthesia I suppose.

His blood sugar level is still high, they are going to keep him on insulin until they stop giving him the steroids. The doctor (internal medicine specialist) just came in and said they are cutting his medications in half.

All good news!

2/29/12 5:10 PM

Dad is very awake and aware. Talking when he has to and listening well. I told him that he was improving way faster than we were told he would. I told him the doctor said it was the square dancing that had him recovering so quickly. He smiled. Yay!!!

2/29/2012 3:55 PM

Dad has the tubes out of him. He is wearing an oxygen mask, but he is completely breathing on his own. He just mustered the strength to ask for a glass of water. Of course the nurse said no, but it was good to hear him talk. He is resting right now.

2-29-12 12:25 PM

Dad has been awake and is being responsive to questions. They took a blood test and the result are back, the tube can come out!!!

2/29/12 9:24 AM

The doctors have stopped forcing oxygen into Dad. They are currently monitoring how he does on his own. If he does ok, the tubes will be removed today. If not, they will try again tomorrow.

The have lessened the anesthesia to the point that Dad is awake and able to respond to questions, not verbally, but by head gestures.

The doctor said we have passed rock bottom and are now on the way back up.

Please keep Mom and Dad in your prayers.

2/28/12 8:09 PM

Well, we know what is wrong with Dad, he has legionnaires disease. Another patient was brought in with it today. Because of Dad, they were able to quickly diagnose the other patient.

They did a sonogram on Dad today just before we left and the good news is, his lungs are looking better. We continue to be cautiously optimistic as Dad appears to be getting better.

We have left the hospital, so there will be no more updates tonight. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.

2.28.12 3:30

Dad's blood sugar is high and they have administered insulin. The doctor said it is common for this to happen with the medicines and treatments Dad is undergoing. The internal medicine doctor said he wasn't worried about Dad's kidneys and felt they would be as strong after as they were before.

I asked about the culture from the bronchoscopy and the doctor said it has not come back from the lab. The doctor said it usually takes between 2 and 5 days to return.

2-28-12 12:10 Pm

The kidney doctor came in and said that Dad's kidneys are not performing at the level they should be. He said he is not alarmed and believes that it may be the medication that is causing the issue. He is not going to take any action at this time, but wanted us to know he will be monitoring.

Update

2/28/12 10:28 AM

We got in this morning and the nurse gave us very good information. They have started reducing the amount of oxygen they are pumping into Dad. Slowly, but it is improvement. They are going to monitor him and if he is able to sustain his oxygen levels, they will continue to reduce the oxygen they are pushing in. The goal is to get the tube out of his throat. The doctor cautioned us that Dad is still in a delicate situation. Thank you all for your continued prayers.

2-27-12 10:26 pm

No substantial change to report. The doctor said that was to be expected. I will post more tomorrow when we get back to the hospital. Thank you keeping Dad in your prayers.

2/27/12 2:05 PM

Sorry, just realized that all my times are Eastern Standard Time. My PC didn't change time zones.

There has been little to no change. At one point they lowered Dad's anesthesia and he started pulling at the things on him. The upped his dosage again and he drifted out. Mom told him we were going to lunch and he nodded his head. We are taking that as a good sign.

Update

2-27-12 9:43 AM

The results of the Bronchoscopy are mixed. There is no blood or mucus in Dad's lungs ... that is good, there is still inflammation which is not good. The doctor said it is now a wait and see game.

Ron Childers

2.27.2012 - 9:19 AM

Mom, Mark and I just spoke to the doctor. He told us that Dad has Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Right now the doctor is doing a Bronchoscopy which, to my understanding, is a device that goes through a tube that is already being used to help him breath. The device will allow the doctor to look directly into Dad's lungs and take a sampling of the infection. That sampling will be sent to the lab to determine the best method of treatment.

The doctor also said that treatment will not be measured by second or hours, but by days and weeks. If that isn't clear, his point was, Dad won't be better today, but he hopes by the end of the week to see some improvement.

Mom is doing as well as can be expected. She didn't sleep well last night, of course, but is now napping on the couch in the waiting room.