Daddy's been doing pretty good the past couple days. As always it seems he takes a couple steps forward and then one back. He's been completely off the CPAP machine since Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. (48 hrs. now). His blood oxygen levels have stayed up in the middle to upper 90's on 40% oxygen so Dr. Chen was very pleased with that this morning. Dr. Chen also changed Daddy's trachea tube to a smaller one this morning. This tube will make his breathing more "normal" which will help in strengthening his throat muscles. He can also keep the Passy-muir valve (speaking valve) on with this tube and it isn't causing him to cough like it did with the larger tube. Of course this could also be because he is getting stronger so it's not irritating his throat like it was before. Dr. Chen did say that the passy-muir valve did need to be taken off at night when we weren't here with him. He said if Daddy does well with this today then he may try completely plugging the trachea tomorrow and see how Daddy does with breathing regularly with O2 through the nose. (When Daddy breathes right now with the trachea tube the air goes in through the tube and out through his mouth/nose. If he plugs the tube then Daddy will breath in/out through mouth/nose.) Dr. Chen did say that switching to this smaller tube is a really big step for Daddy. So far he's doing great. He's actually napping right now and every now and then snores a little. Dr. Chen is also considering moving Daddy to the in house Rehab possible sometime this week. He will also be starting his radiation treatments this week too. So it looks like he is going to be very busy.
That was pretty much it for the steps forward, now for the step back. Daddy hasn't seemed to feel very good the past 2 days. Yesterday he didn't even get out of bed he said he just felt too weak. He is running a low grade fever and his blood pressure and heart rate has been elevated. Dr. Chen has ordered more blood work to try and find out whats going on. We hope it won't be anything major especially since Dr. Chen has jury duty starting tomorrow.
I'll update more when there's changes.
4 comments:
Greetings and salutations from Bill and Sue! Happy for Roy's progress. Hope that he gets more energy now and that he does not have any more infection. Do be careful with folks coming to see him. So many viruses around now especially through the schools with children. Bill has either hayfever or something he caught in one of the clinic offices. Hoping I don't get it. We do send our well wishes to all of you and thinking of you daily and praying. Keep your chins up.
Hollie,, thanks for the updates. Will continue to pray for healing for LeRoy and rest for the family. Did you get a chance to look at the DVD with the Fire Birgrade Pictures?
David Layman
Glad to hear about Roy's progress with the trachea & I'm sure they will zap the bacteria with some powerful antibiotics. You are all in our prayers as we are out here in Houston doing Tommy's treatments.
God Bless, Laurie Ann & Tommy
David,
I did look at a folder or two, but haven't had a chance to look at them all. Thank you for sending them. I will try and make a video for Daddy when I get a chance.
Thanks again,
Hollie
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