Two Steps Forward - One Back

Okay - I think I'm ready to report!

As I said yesterday, dad had a long uncomfortable day. The neurologist really wanted to interact with dad so he wasn't sedated. The low blood pressure continued to be a concern through out the night and today. Today's report has some good and some not so good. Dad continues to be on the ventilator (respirator) and this was where I needed some clarification before communicating with everyone. Currently dad's diaphragm is very weak and not doing much for him. It is just another muscle that the GBS (Guillian-Berra Syndrome) has affected. The ventilator is doing a lot of the breathing for dad. The way it is set up - when dad takes a breath the vent helps him to get extra air that he wouldn't be able to get on his own and when dad doesn't breath - the vent is set that within a short time it will do the breathing for dad. Right now if he weren't on the vent he wouldn't be able to breath on his own. If that doesn't improve by Thursday or Friday they will be doing a Trachea for dad. To me that sounded awful - but mom and my brother-in-law (Jim) both said that if he needs help breathing for any length of time the trec will be better. He won't have that huge tube in his mouth and will be able to speak and answer questions and close his mouth. It will be much more comfortable for him.

Now for the blood pressure - one of the characteristics of the GBS is for the blood pressure to jump all over (very high / very low). But now dad's blood pressure is staying very low. He is ranging between 40/30 to 60/30. They really need to get the pressure up. They started him on two additional antibiotics that will hopefully help regulate this. It seems to be another type of infection going on - separate from the GBS. They always say if you want to get sick - spend some time in the hospital!

Good news is the Pulmonary Critical Care doctor is pleased with dad's progress. Dad is continuing to do well - even though he is very sick. The doctor didn't see any improvements with dad's grip over yesterday. But dad is stable and in the best place possible! Today dad has off from the Plasma Exchange. When I talked to mom earlier she was in the family room taking a break. Dad was sleeping and she didn't want to disturb him.

If anyone has a question - sorry. This is way out of our understanding and comfort zone. Thanks for hang'in with us and for all the prayers. Mom said she can really feel the prayers are working. I know she has broken down a couple of times when she has gotten back to the hotel room. I can't imagine holding it all together like she is doing.