Updates on Tom

 My dad has been on trach collar since I last wrote! He's been doing great. Yesterday he was on 40% with the PMV in (the speaking valve). Many times, he would desatt with the PMV, but he did great with it yesterday. And, then last night, they lowered the percent he's on to 35%. After having so many visits of my dad mouthing words and both of us being frustrated in me not being able to read lips, when I went to see my dad yesterday, it was SO awesome to actually be able to hear his voice. To know exactly what he's saying. To have a conversation with him. To hear him talking to the nurses about his work at JP Morgan and the passion he has for helping people because he cares about them. To hear him talk about their vision and also the importance of long term growth in investments and not quick fixes- wisdom he has shared with me my entire life. To hear him talk about when he first saw my mom and how her beauty drew him to her. But, how his love for her goes far deeper than tha...

 My dad did awesome on air-vo for a few days so they tried trach collar yesterday and he's doing great and still on it this morning!  Just a reminder that the blog host said they would stop sending updates via email sometime in July, but I'll still be posting here. Thankful for each of you.

 My dad has been on air-vo the last few days after having a few days on the vent to lower his CO2. His CO2 and PH level were good two days ago. They're taking an abg this morning to get his CO2 number and ph. If those numbers are good and he is doing well on air-vo this morning, they will try trach collar. 

 Dad has been on pressure support which is the step before trach collar and helps ventilate CO2. He does great on trach collar and was even capped for a day last week, but he's retaining CO2 and needs to ventilate the CO2 out. We are continuing to pray that his CO2 level goes down and remains low, that his spirits stay up, and for wisdom for the doctors and nurses.  They should be taking an ABG (arterial blood gas) in the next few days which will tell us his CO2 and PH numbers. Thank you for continuing to pray with us.  And, just a reminder that the Blog host said that updates will stop coming through email sometime in July, but they will still be here. "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." "You are the God who performs Miracles." Psalm 77:14 This is a very inspiring article my brother shared with me about an ICU nurse who got cover, spent 8 months in the hospital and just walked ou...

The big prayer request for dad right now is for his CO2 level to stay down. His oxygen saturation is great, but when he goes on the trach collar, his CO2 level has been raising. The vent helps ventilate and get rid of the CO2, so dad was on the vent last night to help lower it. The plan is to start weaning him again today as long as his CO2 number is low. Praying that dad's CO2 level stays low so he can continue moving forward to breathe on his own in the Name of Jesus. Thank you for praying for that with us! We're so grateful for you.

 I'm reminded to not get too low with the lows and too high with the highs. Dad's breathing has been great with the capping, but his CO2 level is too high. The way to decrease the CO2 level right now is to ventilate it out through the ventilator. So, they are putting him back on the vent and hoping he can get rid of the CO2 over the next few days and hopefully start on the trach collar again later this week. My prayer is that he won't have to go on the vent again after this time- that his CO2 will normalize and he won't need to. What helps him ventilate the CO2 once on the trach collar is time and strength. He has been on the trach collar a long time so praying that he is getting strong enough to do well on the next cap trial.  The general plan is:  1. Once he ventilates the CO2 well, to go on the trach. collar. 2. If he does well getting weaned on the trach collar, try the PMV speaking valve.  3. If he can tolerate the PMV well for around 4 days or so and his ABG sh...

 I had a great visit with my dad on Father' Day. I'm so thankful to have that time.  Dad is doing great. They actually capped his trach today and he's on a nasal canula!!! Praise God! I am so grateful. Praying he does great, and continuing to pray that he thrives in PT and is able to swallow well. So grateful for him doing so awesome today. I'll continue to keep you updated. Thank you so much for joining with us in prayer!