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.