11pm (Thurs) Temperature is 99.5, and was low grade last night as well nurse said. They are giving him Tylenol to help with some tremors/shakes that he’s been having (that I haven’t noticed this evening). Is probably helping to keep his temps down. His BPs and heart rate are better tonight than I’ve ever seen. His heart rate had been 100 or higher and it’s in the 70’s tonight. Nurse said he’s still on multiple BP meds. But I’m still so proud of him!
Seth’s sputum culture from a previous broncoscopy tested positive for cocci (Valley Fever- fungus) and nocardia (bacteria). The nurse tonight said that we would all probably test positive for Valley Fever if we were tested, but may never show symptoms. It can manifest itself more when we are immunocompromised.
He is on an anti-fungal medication and an antibiotic to treat both of these.Earlier this evening Seth received another unit of blood when his hemoglobin level went below 8 (his was 7.8). They still do routine blood work on him every 6hrs through his arterial line, and his coagulation labs more frequent than this.They have yet to do a CT scan since they started the Heparin. The nurse said that he is receiving a “neuro dose,” meaning that they are going cautiously slow on titrating it up. Need to get two therapeutic levels before they’ll do the imaging.
He still has been requiring albumin for volume replacement most shifts. This evening he hasn’t required it yet.He is tolerating the adult mode on the ventilator and his tidal volumes are around 320-330.
0345 (today) Got his morning chest xray a little earlier. Tidal volumes 380-407 this morning (great). I think he looks like he is retracting less. Still is tremorous. He hasn’t had Tylenol since last night. Nurse isn’t sure if it helped or not. Nurses doing passive range of motion this morning with his feet, hands, arms, and legs to keep his muscles going. First time I’d seen them do this with him to this extent. He has washcloths in his hands to keep them from clamping down. He got a shave with his bath today. Hemoglobin was 8.2 this morning, so better! His coagulation labs are getting close. They were 0.1 below therapeutic range. Will recheck @ 0800.
Seth’s ECMO sweeps are at 2. His blood gases have been stable, but they have not been able to wean beyond that just yet. 0630 Dr Yu came and examined Seth. Goals: To get CT done, continue to wean ventilator settings and ECMO. Has not seen chest xray report this morning.
Prayers for the day
1) Seth’s body to respond well to the anti fungal and antibiotic he’s on
2)Therapeutic coagulation labs
3) Motor movement & increased responsiveness
4) Good chest xray results
5) Seth and his family to feel Gods loving arms around them
6) Continued prayers for Seth’s cousin, Ellis in Malaysia who they may try to take off sedation today. His MRI results were good, as well as brain pressures, and no further seizures. Praise God!
I heard this on the radio on my way into the hospital tonight. When I looked it up, and watched the music video, it reminded me of the army of people Seth’s had in the waiting room and the even bigger army praying for him, and our even bigger God!
-Kerry
Cell by cell.
-Darcy
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