One hour..One Day...One week at a time.

After Sarah left yesterday, we thought that we were making great progress...but Dave started having more difficulty breathing with just the oxygen mask, and as he struggled more, he started to mouth-breath and was not getting enuf oxygen. Hyperventilation set in and he really freaked out when one of the Drs. decided that he should be immediately moved to the regular ward instead of Critical Care. In addition, the tube feedings were leading to everything passing right thru his digestive system, leaving him uncomfortable and exhausted.
After we were settled into the 2-person room in another ward, I could quickly see that he wasn't ready for it...so I went to the nursing desk and asked if they could consult with whomever could make the decision to move Dave back as I didn't think he was ready to be downgraded from critical care.
Within a half hour, it was as if the cavalry had arrived. Nurses from critical care came to move him back to his old room...the pulmonary specialist that Dave sees daily had specifically noted that Dave was to stay in intensive care, but someone had overlooked it and transferred him anyway. I felt like we were being rescued as I was starting to feel frantic.
Back in his old room, Dave settled down little but it was obvious that he was still breathing fast and shallow..our wonderful nurse - Wendy - suggested that we try a forced air mask that actually pushes air into the lungs, opening them up . Dr. Cleveland was called, he agreed it was a good idea, and fortunately, Dave took to it well - he obviously was getting the air that his lungs needed as he quickly fell deep asleep for the first time since his breathing tube had been removed - over 36 hrs. before. What a relief!For the first time since days one and two, I found myself overcome with emotion and had to leave the room so that Dave wouldn't see. Such a roller coaster of emotions...many friends had warned me to prepare for this but I didn't realize that it would hit me so hard.
Anyhow, I left Dave at around midnight, hoping that he would sleep thru most of the night

Whenever I drive back to the cottage for the night, I am amazed at how the hospital has become my reality. The cottage setting is wonderful so late at night. While driving down a dark road near a city park, deer are almost always visible, grazing in the flower beds of neighboring homes. AS I come around the curve to our street, the view opens dramatically to the lake michigan shore , sparkling in the moonlight, and the lighthouse and pier lit up in the night. I park the car and climb the 40+ steps up to the cottage and walk down the path to the backdoor, brushing against the white hydrangeas that are all in bloom.
Inside, I dump my purse on the counter,and head straight to bed, setting my phone alarm for 6:30 so that I can make it to the hospital in Muskegon around the time that the DRs. come around.

That's the routine. I usually grab a coffee from The coffee lady in the lobby - Sarah is extremely nice and runs a brisk business in coffee, muffins, etc. Unfortunately, she isn't here on weekends so I head to Panerra to grab supplies.



Saturday am
For some reason, even though I got 7 hrs sleep, I feel like I am exhausted this morning. I met with the pulmonary specialist this morning and he seemed pleased with how the forced air mask is working for DAve. He made a few changes to meds and left. The cardiologist came later and made some changes to potassium and other meds and said he thought Dave was making some progress. Internal medicine sent the dietician to make up the correct tube feeding for Dave...I didn't mention that they put the small tube throught Dave's nose and into his stomach again as they are not confident that he is swallowing well. One monday, he will have a swallowing assessment done to determine if he can return to drinking at all. They want to absolutely avoid anything going down the wrong way into his already fragile lungs.

Just as I was feeling overwhelmed with keeping my eyes open, I was surprised to see two little leprechauns outside Dave's room! No, I wasn't hallucinating...my mom and dad are really quite small!! They were an unexpected surprise and it was just what I needed to have someone I trusted sit with Dave while I went home and slept a few hours. When I came back, I was very refreshed and able to deal with a restless DAve. He asks over and over for water and food - he can't have either, and I have to try to calm him, swabbing his mouth with a small sponge on a stick. He is very irritable, frustrated, and I believe that his is having some daytime "dreams" that seem like reality to him. I hope that this will clear up once he is out of the hospital environment.

It's 11pm and almost time to go home to sleep. Dave is unable to sleep and keeps fighting with his mask, so I think that a sleeping pill may be in order. I'll talk to the nurse - Amy.

Please continue to pray for Dave. I believe it makes all the difference.
Love, Melody

Also, if you want to email me directly my email is melody@melodyarndt.com I am not allowed to use the cell phone in DAve's room and that is where I am most of the day.