Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday May 31, 2010
Hank is a little better today! They took him off dialysis this morning about 2:00 a.m. He wasn't sleeping well and after it was unhooked he settled down and fell asleep. Hopefully he is done with that machine! Of course the respirator is giving him some grief but they are cutting that back as well, and tomorrow they plan on taking it out so we can talk again! His white blood cell count is still high which means he does have an infection somewhere and they are treating him with antibiotics to get rid of whatever it is. They cleaned one pick line and will remove the dialysis pick line once they know he is done with it. His white count is 33 and a normal count is 5 so he has something going on. They have lowered his relaxing drug to get him more awake but he's still pretty sleepy. The physical therapist just came in and they had him sitting up for about 5 minutes and he stood long enough to get his sheets changed and they washed his back and hair. He really liked that! His fractured scapula (which is on the same side as his broken ribs) is quite swollen so they did some massaging there as he winced in pain but he took it. He is such a good patient! This morning he was trying to communicate with me about something and I think he was thinking about work so I told him all was well and Delton and everyone are taking care of everything and not to worry or think about it. Then he was trying to ask about something else and I asked him if he was wondering how long he would be here and he shook his head yes. So I told him hopefully in a week or so we could go home. Then he just closed his eyes and went back to sleep. So now for the rest of the day he just gets to sleep, rest and keep progressing forward again. I think the surgery is what set him back a few days. The surgeon who did his thumbs uncovered his right thumb today and it looks great! He is healing well. Hope I'm not giving to much info but this is good therapy for me as well. Keep up the prayers, I can feel it working! You are all very much in my prayers as well! Until later...
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday May 30, 2010
Well Hank had a busy day yesterday with his thumb surgeries and visitors. First came our friend Bill Taylor (drove down from Bellingham on Friday) and he left about noon yesterday. Then 2 of his high school buddies (Craig Moore & Pete Marquez) showed up last night. They came in this morning to visit before driving back to Sunnyside. Hank was only able to nod his head yes and no but I know he appreciated the effort and time it took them! I'll be so glad when that respirator comes out so he can talk to us again. Bruce (his nurse today) said he wants to keep it in until maybe tomorrow because he has thick secretions in his lungs from just being still and not being able to move around. He also said he must be a calm man with the way he is cooperating! Hank knows he needs to lay still and be calm and that's what he's doing. So the CT Scan didn't show anything as to why the white cell count was so high so they'll continue the antibiotics and see what happens. Dialysis continues to run until the toxins disappear and then they say his kidneys should jump back in and work on their own. I'll add more as the day progresses. Angie and Alivia went home yesterday and I know it was hard for her to leave her Dad but I also know how important it is for her family to be together again after a week. Please keep the prayers going because they are working and we so appreciate them!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, May 29th
A hiccup in the road today. This morning at 8 am they took Hank in for his thumb surgery. Both thumbs were operated on and the operation itself went well. During surgery however Hank's blood pressure dropped dramatically and they struggled with that the entire time. Four hours later the respirator is back in and the blood pressure battle continues.
They have him on minimal sedation right now and he seems somewhat "restful". However, they are going to try and ween him as much as possible through the night from the sedation. He is hooked up to dialysis now and they are treating him at a much slower rate and with a blood thinner since he kept clotting the machine. They will keep him on dialysis now at the slow rate since his toxin levels continue to be elevated. They think he has some sort of infection and drew blood this afternoon that will tell them where the infection is and what it is. As of this evening, they hadn't gotten the results back.
Hopefully the respirator will be removed tomorrow and we'll start moving forward again. Please continue to keep Hankster in your prayers.
They have him on minimal sedation right now and he seems somewhat "restful". However, they are going to try and ween him as much as possible through the night from the sedation. He is hooked up to dialysis now and they are treating him at a much slower rate and with a blood thinner since he kept clotting the machine. They will keep him on dialysis now at the slow rate since his toxin levels continue to be elevated. They think he has some sort of infection and drew blood this afternoon that will tell them where the infection is and what it is. As of this evening, they hadn't gotten the results back.
Hopefully the respirator will be removed tomorrow and we'll start moving forward again. Please continue to keep Hankster in your prayers.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 28th
Hank continues to do great. The nurse said he didn't sleep too good last night, but I can only imagine how hard it would be to relax and rest with all the noise in his room and everything that is on his mind after all that has happened.
The physical therapist has been in this morning, gave him a a morning cleaning, and he sat in a chair for 1 hour 15 minutes. He is in a lot of pain because of his broken ribs, and now we learn he has a fractured scapula (part of the shoulder blade) on the same side of his 8 broken ribs, which is also on the same side of where his spleen once resided. So, he's got several reasons for his discomfort in that area. He will get physical therapy twice a day now. No dialysis today, possibly again tomorrow.
Yesterday he was cleared to start eating ice chips. Poor guy is starving! The speach therapist will be in soon and determine if he can start drinking water. He will love that. He is off of his antibiotics that have been treating his lungs. They have improved. The respiratory nurse has him doing exercises every hour to continue to restrengthen them.
He will most likely be moved to "the floor" within the next couple days. They are not in a huge hurry to move him considering the one on one personal attention he recieves here on the trauma floor. Once they move him, he will have to share a nurse with who knows how many patients. As much as we'd like to see him out of the trauma center, we enjoy knowing he has the best care possible where he is at.
The physical therapist has been in this morning, gave him a a morning cleaning, and he sat in a chair for 1 hour 15 minutes. He is in a lot of pain because of his broken ribs, and now we learn he has a fractured scapula (part of the shoulder blade) on the same side of his 8 broken ribs, which is also on the same side of where his spleen once resided. So, he's got several reasons for his discomfort in that area. He will get physical therapy twice a day now. No dialysis today, possibly again tomorrow.
Yesterday he was cleared to start eating ice chips. Poor guy is starving! The speach therapist will be in soon and determine if he can start drinking water. He will love that. He is off of his antibiotics that have been treating his lungs. They have improved. The respiratory nurse has him doing exercises every hour to continue to restrengthen them.
He will most likely be moved to "the floor" within the next couple days. They are not in a huge hurry to move him considering the one on one personal attention he recieves here on the trauma floor. Once they move him, he will have to share a nurse with who knows how many patients. As much as we'd like to see him out of the trauma center, we enjoy knowing he has the best care possible where he is at.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday, May 27th - He's awake!
I made my routine phone call this morning and they told me Hank is a little more inter-active and knew what year it was when he was asked. He had a good nights sleep.
On the way to the hospital my cell phone rang and I recognized the number as a hospital number. I figured it was just billing calling or the social worker. IT WAS HANK! He was wondering where we were. AMAZING!!
We arrived at the hospital and he said, "There's my family"... He is totally alert and remembers exactly what happened. What he doesn't remember is the time frame from immediately after the accident until this morning when he woke up. We are trying not to overwhelm him today with telling him everything that has gone on this past week. He is amazed he is alive and we are so blessed and thankful he is as well.
He, in typical Hank fashion, is telling his Nurse and dialysis specialist what he wants done. He asked for his cell phone and was concerned about a meeting he had scheduled. Good grief. Ang mentioned everything was under control and in a relaxed voice he said, "Good".
I'm sure I will be adding more positive notes as the day progresses.
On the way to the hospital my cell phone rang and I recognized the number as a hospital number. I figured it was just billing calling or the social worker. IT WAS HANK! He was wondering where we were. AMAZING!!
We arrived at the hospital and he said, "There's my family"... He is totally alert and remembers exactly what happened. What he doesn't remember is the time frame from immediately after the accident until this morning when he woke up. We are trying not to overwhelm him today with telling him everything that has gone on this past week. He is amazed he is alive and we are so blessed and thankful he is as well.
He, in typical Hank fashion, is telling his Nurse and dialysis specialist what he wants done. He asked for his cell phone and was concerned about a meeting he had scheduled. Good grief. Ang mentioned everything was under control and in a relaxed voice he said, "Good".
I'm sure I will be adding more positive notes as the day progresses.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
First Dialysis Treatment - Wednesday May 26th
The first dialysis treatment was done this afternoon. What a change. The nurse stated that as soon as they started the procedure Hank began to relax immediately. His blood pressure came down into the 130's whereas it has been hovering around 160 and even topping 220 yesterday morning. He did great. He has been sleeping ever since and we hope he sleeps all night long. He's been up for 2 days. They removed 2 liters of fluid through the process.
I can't wait to see what he will surprise us with in the morning.
I can't wait to see what he will surprise us with in the morning.
Wednesday May 26, 2010
This morning I awoke thinking I was going to ask the doctors to start dialysis on Hank because they keep saying it will make a huge difference in his thinking and will help remove a lot of the toxins that are in his body. So I make my regular morning phone call to get an update on the night and they said he was pretty much awake all night. He is really rummy with all the toxins in his body, plus the head concussion, plus his 8 broken ribs and all the bumps and bruises. So when I get to the hospital the trauma team is at his door talking about the next procedure to do. Dialysis is what they recommended so I guess they don't need my expertise!
He was sitting in his chair (which he did for 2 hours) and then they got him back in bed to put the catheter in for the dialysis. I can't wait to see what he's like when they are done! He's a lot quieter today but still looks at me and even lifted his hand for me to take. I am confident he will get better, I can see bigger improvements now daily. They will do the dialysis once a day now for the next 3 days. His broken thumbs don't seem to bother him too much. Yesterday he'd lift his hand and scratch his head (among other things). So I'm headed back up and a I'll add more later. I hope I don't go on too long but it helps me (and everyone) get information to as many people easier!
He was sitting in his chair (which he did for 2 hours) and then they got him back in bed to put the catheter in for the dialysis. I can't wait to see what he's like when they are done! He's a lot quieter today but still looks at me and even lifted his hand for me to take. I am confident he will get better, I can see bigger improvements now daily. They will do the dialysis once a day now for the next 3 days. His broken thumbs don't seem to bother him too much. Yesterday he'd lift his hand and scratch his head (among other things). So I'm headed back up and a I'll add more later. I hope I don't go on too long but it helps me (and everyone) get information to as many people easier!
Hospital Address
Here is the information to the hospital. Obviously Hank won't be able to get flowers while he is in the trauma unit. I will let you know when he gets to a regular room. He can receive cards.
Intermountain Medical Center
5121 S. Cottonwood St
Murray UTAH 84157
801.507.7000
This hospital is the #1 hospital in the nation for Trauma care and it competes with a hospital in Italy for being #1 in the world. Apparently several doctors from the Italian hospital came here to IMC for their training. Comforting.
Intermountain Medical Center
5121 S. Cottonwood St
Murray UTAH 84157
801.507.7000
This hospital is the #1 hospital in the nation for Trauma care and it competes with a hospital in Italy for being #1 in the world. Apparently several doctors from the Italian hospital came here to IMC for their training. Comforting.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Great News Today May 25, 2010
5/25/2010
At 6:30 this morning I called the hospital to see how Hank did last night and the nurse Rob said he did fairly well. Said he was breathing on his own with little pressure, which was great considering the day before he was breathing 50% oxygen with 8% pressure (I know it's confusing for me as well). His blood pressure continues to be high, however they are not worried about it at this time but are trying to bring it down. His kidneys are functioning but not getting the toxins out so they may consider dialysis at a later time.
When we arrived at the hospital Betty Jo (Hank's sister) and I walk in to find him totally off the respirator! They said he showed he could breath on his own so off it came. Wonderful! Although he did have a temperature and high blood pressure, he seemed to be in so much pain and was moaning and continually moving around. It scares me and is so hard to watch but the nurse said it's totally normal and he will not remember any of this! He answers questions and follows commands so they are very optimistic.
Today's nurse explained to me that his reactions are not unusual for head trauma and all the poison in his system to act like that and she felt we would see a huge difference in his mental state after just one treatment of dialysis so I'm clinging to that!
Gary Hogue came to visit him this evening and when Hank turned his head towards Gary he said "Hello Gary" and lifted his hand to shake his hand. His speech is obviously not that clear mind you but it's so promising!
So that's the news for today, I want to say again how much all your prayers are working so keep them up please. Between the good Lord, family and friends we are so blessed! Thank you all and God Bless You!
At 6:30 this morning I called the hospital to see how Hank did last night and the nurse Rob said he did fairly well. Said he was breathing on his own with little pressure, which was great considering the day before he was breathing 50% oxygen with 8% pressure (I know it's confusing for me as well). His blood pressure continues to be high, however they are not worried about it at this time but are trying to bring it down. His kidneys are functioning but not getting the toxins out so they may consider dialysis at a later time.
When we arrived at the hospital Betty Jo (Hank's sister) and I walk in to find him totally off the respirator! They said he showed he could breath on his own so off it came. Wonderful! Although he did have a temperature and high blood pressure, he seemed to be in so much pain and was moaning and continually moving around. It scares me and is so hard to watch but the nurse said it's totally normal and he will not remember any of this! He answers questions and follows commands so they are very optimistic.
Today's nurse explained to me that his reactions are not unusual for head trauma and all the poison in his system to act like that and she felt we would see a huge difference in his mental state after just one treatment of dialysis so I'm clinging to that!
Gary Hogue came to visit him this evening and when Hank turned his head towards Gary he said "Hello Gary" and lifted his hand to shake his hand. His speech is obviously not that clear mind you but it's so promising!
So that's the news for today, I want to say again how much all your prayers are working so keep them up please. Between the good Lord, family and friends we are so blessed! Thank you all and God Bless You!
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