The Journey Continues, + Day 18

Richard has had a very rough week but is getting better a step at a time.  He is now on an oxygen mask at 40% oxygen and made it through the night that way.  The night before he had to go on the bpap because it helped him with the breathing.  He has been off of the ventilator since Wednesday. They have said that when they get his breathing stable there is the possibility of moving to a room.  The dialysis is getting rid of the fluids but he still has swelling.  They had to turn the rate that the fluids are being taken off down because of his blood pressure.  This morning they did start him back on meds to keep the blood pressure up.  He has so many tubes going into him that even the nurses are having a hard to figuring out what tube is going where. 

Yesterday he was able to drink water and ate about 10 little bites of applesauce.  The nurse this morning said that when he can eat more the feeding tube will come out.  Hopefully he will be able to eat more each time.

Richard had been on medicines that kept him sedated and paralyzed and they took him off those meds on Wednesday.  It took til yesterday to get it out of his system.  He was very surprised when the preacher told him it was Friday.  He thought it was Tuesday.  He can't believe that he has lost three days and he can't remember any of it.

Thursday he was sleeping and woke up suddenly and ask me where did that striped lady go.  I ask him where the striped lady had been and he said, "Well she was just right here talking to me and I need to see her."  I told him that if I saw her I would send her in and he said ok and went back to sleep.

They have one remote for the whole unit where he is and Thursday when he finally felt like watching T.V., he insisted on having a remote and kept after them til he has the remote in his room.  He doesn't really remember that or that fact that there is only one remote. He is also now telling them to let him go off of certain meds and to take the tubes out so he can go home.

I know he is feeling better.  He is still very sick but just the fact that he is getting very stubborn again and insisting on getting his way tells me that he is heading in the right direction.  I am praying that he keeps heading that way!


Thanks so much for all the prayers!!!!!

“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 NIV