Monday October 31 2011

Can't believe it's the last day in October. Sorry about not updating in awhile was busy enjoying my husband, mom, and kids. Joseph keeps improving everyday:) They have went way low on his sedation, he opens his eyes, kicks his legs, covers his face with his hands. He still sleeps most of the day, but I can see his little personality come out when he's awake:) The dr is doing a continues wean, going down one number every 12 hours. Once he gets to about 10 or 12 he can get off the vent, which will be either Thursday or Friday. As long as Joseph allows it. He is doing really good.

I'am still really restless and missing my kids, husband, momma and just being at home doing our regular routine. But hopefully soon we will be able to go home. Hopefully we can isolate Joseph enough that this won't happen again this winter.

Friday October 28 2011

We have been in the hospital for a week already. They took Joseph off his paralytic, so he is moving around:) He also opened his eyes today:) hadn't seen those beautiful blue eyes since last week Thursday:) He is looking so much better today, his dr started doing continueous weans on his vent. Pray that joseph will allow it. He is enjoying being able to move and I catch him glancing around trying to figure out where he is. They are still giving him sedation medicines just to keep him comfortable and keep his tubes in.

Feel such relief just being able to see his eyes, even if they look glazy from his medicines. It's Friday and hopefully my husband and kiddos can come up again for the weekend.

Wednesday October 27 2011

Joseph thinks that 2 days in a row of behaving is enough. Which he hasn't done anything really bad today, just didn't let the dr wean the vent. But he is trying again, hopefully Joseph will behave this time. He is not digesting his food all the way, but his dr wants to push forward, as long as he allows them too. Which is good because the alternative is trying for a central line or an iv, which is extremely difficult on him. Joseph will wiggle his shoulders just a tiny bit when touched. No big movements and no opening his eyes. His right lung is looking alot better, but his left is still looking very full of stuff.

Still very restless, but sure am loving the weather.

Wednesday October 26 2011

More food, less paralytic, lower settings on vent. No more iv fluids. Making slow progress, better then staying the same.

Me: Very restless, Missin home, Missin josephs smiles, thankful that my sweet boy is still with me and soon we will be home again:) Thank you Lord for the wonderful blessings:)

Tuesday October 25 2011

He is better then yesterday:) Vent settings are down and feedings are up. Giving him medicine to get rid of his extra fluid, so his puffiness will go down. Some of you have asked if this is going to affect him when he gets home: yes it will he will be on breathing treatments and need higher levels of oxygen. Dr said it would be worse for awhile before it would get better.

Happy Birthday to my princess:) I wish I could be home to bake her a cake and just love on her. But we will get there yet:) Cannot believe she is 3 already, the time just goes so fast. Thank you Lord for everything:) You are just such a wonderful provider:)

Monday October 24 2011

Alright here we go: Joseph nutrition wise he is doing good. The dr wants his TPN taken away and push his feeds through his gut more, as much as he tolerates. They have started him on a blood transfusion. They started him on some more sedation and a paralytic to keep him calm. He was to borderline with his comfort. His lungs have developed ARDS which means they have become very sick and have alot of damage in them. He will be here for weeks, because treatment is vent and letting them heal themselves. Dr said his patch should be ok as long as his lungs stay stiff. If they become soft and there is to much pressure it might open. If he develops a need for something they can't provide for him here he will be transported to a hospital that has it. Prayers are much appreciated.

I'm sad:( I miss home and our usual routine of things, but I know Joseph needs me here with him and the others are in good hands. Just miss his sweet face so much:( Thank you Lord for the staff here they are wonderful. Thank you also for the many blessings in our lives and please make my Joseph better I miss him so much. Last year was hard but nothing compares to the pain I feel now.

Update 3

Joseph had a bad start yesterday. His iv went out, his stomach was swollen, his lungs sounded worse and he was running a fever. He seemed to get worse as the day progressed. Lunchtime the drs wanted to put in a central line, with that they gave a new sedation med that Joseph really liked. He did alot better in the afternoon and in the evening. Hoping he had a really good night. Post a second update if I get a chance once we go see him and talk with his nurse and drs.

He gave me quite a scare yesterday, but God answered our prayers and I'm so very thankful to Him for the answer He gave this time. I know one of these days it might not be the answer I want but at least my sweet sweet boy wouldn't have to hurt so much anymore. God is good and his will be done.

Update #2

Well we had hoped to get off the vent today, but josephs co2 is to high so they are having to go up on his rates instead of down. He is still swollen but not as much. His stomach was puffed out this morning so they but an ng tube down the left side of his nose. He has a tube down to his intestine on the right side. Then a tube down his throat. He hasn't opened his eyes since Thursday night.

Can't even explain how much this hurts, I want my sweet happy baby back. This brings back so many memories. Miss my family, can't wait to see them later today.

Update

Joseph Is doing good, he is running a low grade fever this morning. Please pray it doesn't get worse. They are going to get x-rays today, to see how his lungs are doing and if his feeding tube is in the right place. If they are pleased with how his lungs look they are going to decrease his sedation to let him wake up. I guess if they do that we will be wrestling again:) He is also very swollen, please pray that it doesn't get worse or it will get critical for him. He is peeing and pooping really well just not enough, they are going to give him just a little something to help. If all goes well they want to take him off the vent tomorrow.

I'm doing better, thank you for all your prayers and those of you who sent me text messages yesterday. They made me feel better thank you:). Although I don't feel like a great mom at times I'm trying my best. Thanks again and I will keep the updates coming:)

Not so good:(

Figured I would share the details of what has happened over the past couple of days. Tuesday Joseph woke up at 5am with low grade fever. He continued to run a slight fever over the course of the day. After his morning nap he started with a slight cough. After lunch he had about 3 spells of coughing, 2 of which made him throw up a little. His usual signs of a cold. I figured I would wait it out till the next day, before taking him in. That night he awoke every 4 hours and I gave him medicine and some fluids. Wed. took him to the dr, his dr was not there so we saw only a nurse practioner. Upper respiratory infection is what he said, I felt to that it was all it was. He did good with the drive, he had 2 short naps, we got home around 1 he had a bottle then I layer him down for a nap. He didn't want to so he played in his room, with grandma, while I went to get the boys. We got back about 330. Fed Joe a snack and he got fussy I figured he was tired, he had a coughing spell so I walked around with him until he fell asleep. About 5 I laid him in his infant seat he seemed to like sleeping in it. He also had a fever of 101 @ 5. While he was sleeping I sat watching him just didn't feel comfortable leaving him. His heart rate on the pulse ox, was high, I was debating testing my go to girl Kelly, I even made a little video of him breathing. I was trying so hard not to panick and overreact like I feel I do alot were Joseph is concerned. I told myself just give the med some time to work. So I didn't send the video or call her, wish I would have:( 510 Joseph woke up coughing, he was sounding different. I put him up to my shoulder to pat his back to help him get some stuff out. As I was reaching for my phone to call someone, he went limb. I layed him on the floor in front of me, had a moment of panick then called 911. God blessed us with a rapid response team, great team of nurses and . They did everything they could for him. If his pilot and medics had not been close to the end of there shift, we would be in Lubbock, but I believe with my heart that God intervened on our part. Joseph barely made it safely to Amarillo. Everyone here is great.

Joseph is doing good. He is fighting sedation with all his might, but he needs it because he needs to be on the vent for a few days. Right now he is asleep, hopefully he stays that way, because I hate having to wrestle with him and so does his nurse.

I on the other hand am having a battle with myself on what I should have done and could have done to prevent this.