Updates on Tom

Lately, we have been seeing how dad does resting on pressure support at night and doing trach collar during the day. Other times, he would do trach collar for several days in a row but then would tire out, so we're hoping that trying this way will build up his strength better.  We're also trying to get him home!!!! We didn't even know this was an option at this point, but someone said to us the other day that she thought the best thing for dad could be to bring him home with a ventilator box. That way if he needs it at night, he can use it, but that would be a great way to try to wean off the vent for good.  To be at home would be incredible and give him the best chance of thriving so we are hoping to make this happen. With that being said, there are a TON of logistics to make this happen. From figuring out what insurance finding the best pulmonary doctor once he's home, to equipment, to finding the best companies that service the Sandy Springs area, to many more things...

Since I last wrote, about a week ago, Dad's CO2 went up so they had to ventilate it with the vent. But he's now been doing trach collar for several days and doing great on it. He's been resting on pressure support at night and doing trach collar during the day to get him stronger. Thank you for continuing to pray for dad!

 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.