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Tuesday, September 10th
Last night the staff performed another “lung test” allowing dad to breathe on his own. It was more difficult for him than the first test. The plan is to try again today with the goal of getting off the ventilator as soon as dad can breathe on is own.
If the ventilator is not removed they will need to provide a feeding tube the decision will be made later today or tomorrow.
His direct bilirubin test came in at 0.58 and is moving in the right direction.
Wednesday, September 11th
They are holding on the feeding tube due to dad’s sugar levels maintaining an adequate level. They will start to provide nutrients through his IV this afternoon.
Dad’s color has improved since Saturday.
His hourly urine output continues to improve with today at 37.5cc and the color is much better.
Both bilirubin total & direct have improved from Thursday 5th:
Total was at 3.16 to this morning at 0.88 which is normal.
Direct was at 1.68 and has improved to 0.58 with the goal is under 0.40.
They reduced the sedation to see how he reacts with the goal to completely remove him from it.
Lung test last night was not so good with dad taking short breaths and not completing the total hour. Another lung test (CPAP) is underway this morning with hopes he does well. Another one will be done at 3:00pm today. If he passes both, he will be taken off the ventilator.
UPDATE: He did great on his lung test this morning earning another test this afternoon at 3:00PM. If things go well he will have one more test in the morning with hopes that he can get off the ventilator.
UPDATE: Dad made it through another lung test this afternoon. One more tomorrow morning and it sounds like the ventilator will be take out.
Please continue your prayers † thank you.
Thursday, September 12th
Another lung test (CPAP) began this morning at 7:00AM – 8:15AM and dad did do well. They were not able to test his ABG. Another test will be done this morning with the ABG.
UPDATE: The ABG showed a little higher reading of CO2 so they will continue to wait and test through the weekend with hopes Monday we can get the ventilator out.
They did need to put him back on sedation right after the lung test.
Dad’s urine output increased to 62.5 CC per hour which is a good sign.
White blood cells are a little lower which is a good indicator the infection is being managed.
Friday, September 13th
Today at 7:45AM dad underwent another CPAP test. He did well through the test and we are awaiting the ABG results.
UPDATE: The results from the ABG showed the CO2 level better than yesterday but not good enough to remove the ventilator.
Please continue your prayers † for stronger lungs and increase kidney production.
Saturday, September 14th
Last night dad was transferred to Wynn Hospital, in Utica NY at 12:30. Core reason for the move is to receive dialysis. Karen and mom were able to stay with dad until settled.
Big change for mom going forward the ICU hours are firm 10:00AM to 8:00PM. Where at Rome mom was able to say with dad 24 hours.
Good news – there is no infection within dad’s blood.
Number one focus right now are the kidneys. The dialysis will start sometime today.
UPDATE: At 6:00PM the catheter was placed so the dialysis can start tonight.
Sunday, September 15th
Last night dad had his first dialysis treatment. It was a total of 4 hours. He will receive another treatment tomorrow (Monday).
The kidney numbers have started to improve and we anticipate them improving quicker now he is receiving dialysis treatments.
A G-tube was put in for dad to receive food and it is going well.
His color is looking much better.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Please pray for increased kidney heath and overall strength.
Monday, September 16th
This morning they started dads dialysis treatment at 7:00AM and will be completed at 11:00AM. He has had no complications with the treatment.
The process is working to reduce the amount of fluid that has built up within him especially around his lungs.
Once the fluid has be reduced around the lungs they can start working on removing the ventilator.
Tuesday, September 17th
Dad is on dialysis again this morning. Should be done by noon.
They are scheduling a CPAP test later today to see if he can breathe on his own. If he passes the test they we remove the ventilator. Prayers for a successful test.
Wednesday, September 18th
Unfortunately they were unable to perform the CPAP yesterday. They are scheduled to do it today. I will provide am update after the test.
Good news, although dad is still under some sedation he was able to acknowledge that he loved mom when she said good night to him at 8:00PM last night.
UPDATE: 1:00PM The following is directly from my mom reporting on dad’s condition:
“Today when I came it was so exciting as Albert was awake and we managed to “chat” He wanted to know what happened to him, how long he had been in hospital and was so surprised that tomorrow will be two weeks. As you can imagine it is not that easy to communicate, but I managed to know he was truly himself when he wanted to watch is favorite news channel!”
Hallelujah †
He is in process of completing the CPAP test and if he passes it they will move towards removing the ventilator. The other key area to focus on is to get the kidneys producing better, but having his eyes open and being able to communicate with him is amazing.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers and engagement during this journey. Please keep them up, we are moving in the right direction!
UPDATE: 2:50PM Great news – He passed the teat and they are going to take him off the ventilator today! This is a great accomplishment.
Thursday, September 19th
Amazing day of improvements. No more G-tube & ventilator. This morning dad was able to eat his first real meal in two weeks. He had eggs, fruit, toast and coffee. He was alert and enjoyed catching up with all the family members that visited throughout the day.
We are continuing to see improvement with his kidneys. Expected to move out of the ICU in the next day or two.
As always – thank you for your concerns, prayers and positive thoughts during dad’s journey. Looking forward to sharing more successes each day!
Friday, September 20th
Dad is still working on the dialysis machine and is scheduled 3 days per week. They are working to balance his BP so he can move out of the ICU on to a regular floor.
Saturday, September 21st
No dialysis during the weekend. He will start scheduled dialysis process on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Dad had meatloaf dinner. Working on resting and getting stronger.
Sunday, September 22nd
Today I trimmed up dad’s goatee and a simple face shave.
His kidney numbers are improving but have a ways to go. Also, BP needs to improve as well.
I will continue the updates posting on Tuesday & Friday each week going forward.
Thank you once again for your continued prayers and thoughts.
Monday, September 23rd
Dad had a slight fever on Sunday but it is now normal. They took the dialysis port out of his upper leg on Monday with the intention of relocating it to his chest. This will allow PT to start on his legs this week. We are still hopefully this week that his PB will move to the point he can be relocated to a regular hospital room.
Thank you all for your engagement during this medical journey of my Dad’s. Reminder that I will post on Tuesday and Friday’s each week.
Friday, September 27th – Happy Birthday Dad!
Today is Dad’s birthday and the family will celebrating this weekend.
Updates on from this week:
1st Blood Pressure stabilized
2nd Moved to a regular room on the sixth floor with a great view
3rd Dialysis will continue 3 days per week (M-W-F)
4th The port was relocated from his upper leg to his chest allowing PT to start on his legs
5th Dad is eating regular food for breakfast, lunch and dinner
6th Working on getting Dad transferred to a Syracuse based hospital
Once again, thank you for your thoughts and prayer as we continue this journey of recovery.
†
Tuesday, October 1st
We wanted to share this photo of Dad’s medical staff singing happy birthday to him. Mom says they were great singers.
Dad is working his OT / PT plan with the staff and Mom.
More updates will be coming. Thank you for your interest, thoughts and prayers.
†
Friday, October 4th
Today we found out that the hospital was ready to discharge Dad. We have been working with the case manager to find a good Rehab Center in the Syracuse area.
We have decided on St. Camillus Rehab Center location in Syracuse.
Dad will continue his dialysis treatment three days per week (M-W-F) at DaVita CNY Dialysis Center in Syracuse
We are currently working with the hospital on the exacting timing of his departure.
Stay tuned for more updates….
Monday, October 7th
I wanted to share great news about my Dad. The doctor shared tonight that Dad will not need dialysis going forward. This is amazing – now the focus can be 100% on OT/PT.
Praise God †
Thank you once again for your engagement, interest and prayers.
Tuesday, October 8th
Dad arrived at St. Camillus Rehab Center last night and started to adjust to his new surroundings.
The photo below shows Dad working his legs and arms following the program. He is 9min and 6 seconds into his 15 min work out:
October 18th
Dad took his first steps in 44 days.
“First steps… I walked 15 feet today and then 15 feet 3 more times!”
❤️
October 30th – Another Successful day of PT
October 26th – Getting back on-line
November 10th – First visit home for 6 hours
November 12th – Goal to be home for good by Thanksgiving
Recent
UPDATE:
Dad is scheduled to come home on November 21st ahead of his goal.
Praise God †
Dad and Mom have been an incredible team, working together on the journey of recovery! Watching them in action is an inspiration and a lesson to learn from.
Once again, on behalf of my family, thank you for your well wishes, prayers and inquires.
Saying good bye to his friend Elliott and fellow patient at St Camillus:
On Thursday, November 22nd 2024 Dad arrived home…7 days earlier than his goal:
Happy Thanksgiving and what a Blessing it was to have a family gathering this year!