We had our meeting with Dr. Chen yesterday. He was considering sending Daddy home provided the family was okay with taking care of the trachea & feeding tube and learning how to put him on/off the CPAP machine. He felt that Daddy would be more willing to get up and move around at home and it would greatly help his emotional state. He also said that Daddy has been extremely lucky that he has not gotten MRSA or another hospital borne infection, but the longer he's here the bigger chance of him getting something and Dr. Chen just doesn't want that set back. He said he needed to consult with Dr. Keeley and would let us know. When he came in this morning he said that he had talked with Dr. Keeley and that going home was off the table for right now. Said that Dr. Keeley felt that Daddy would be completely off the CPAP machine by the time he was ready to go home. Dr. Chen also ordered for Daddy to have another unit of blood last night. His red blood count yesterday after getting the 2 units of blood on Tuesday was up to 9 and after the additional unit last night it is up to 11. Hopefully this will make him feel better and give him some more energy. Another reason Dr. Chen was considering sending Daddy home was so that he could get some rest. He feels that the lack of sleep could be contributing to Daddy's headaches and said that he kept putting in Daddy's chart/orders to be left alone at night so he could rest, but somebody kept taking it out. So he put this up on Daddy's door:
We'll see if this helps. Dr. Chen also had a Physical Medicine Doctor from Carilions Rehab come and evaluate Daddy this morning to see if he would be a candidate for the in house rehab. She said that he is too strong and does not qualify, but he does qualify for outpatient rehab. Of course this is a good thing. He even walked down the hall and back yesterday.
So for the most part Daddy is doing good. He does still seems to be a little sad or depressed some days, but that's to be expected after 36 days in the hospital.
I'm extending the time to get the video's to me. If you could have it to me by next Friday September 11th, that would be great.
4 comments:
A very encouraging report! Hopefully he can get rid of the CPAP soon! I love Dr. Chen's sign! I hope it will allow Roy to get some rest!!
Carolyn Edelstein
Love the sign Dr. Chen put up, hope everyone pays attention to it now! You are all still very much in our prayers, Laurie Ann & Tommy
Lots of people use CPap machines at home. I don't understand why Uncle Roy can't unless there's no way to moniter his oxygen level at home.
Lot's of Love & Prayers,
Karla Long Setchel
Have been keeping up with your dad's progress. Hope he can get some rest so he can come home soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family,Dawn & Jim
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