Yes, I have been slack about posting. There has been a lack of progress and I guess to be honest it is somewhat disheartening to have to post that. But then I am reminded of the scriptures that say to think about what God HAS done in your life. I am then reminded that God saved Dustin, he got filled with the Holy Spirit this past weekend, his cognitive ability has greatly improved almost to normal (hey we all have some difficulty with what happened today etc)and all I am doing is saying, "why can't he get off the vent?" So I openly repent for thinking that God is not hearing my prayers. I know He is orchestrating a tremendous growth in Dustin, spiritually, emotionally and last but not least-- physically.
Today he had a swallowing test to see he he can swallow effectively without the food going to his lungs. The good news is that he sat up well, swallowed the flouroscopic tube while holding his breath and maintained a good oxygen level. However, he was not able to completely swallow the different pureed foods as some was still found to be around his trach indicating a swallowing reflex that is not quite strong enough to clear the trach area. (I think I have this right).The speech therapist, who I love because of his push forward to get things moving in Dustin, also shared that even though his swallowing was not quite up to par that his vocal cords, epiglottis etc seem to be functioning but are just weak. They plan to double his swallowing exercises to strengthen the swallowing muscles (15-30 min) and try the test again every 7-10 days until he gets it. Now how is that for a gym workout!!! They will also extend his cognitive therapy to an hour a day.
I talked to the occupational therapist about his dislocated elbow which seems to have taken on an unusual shape with bony protrusions. She is not sure but has asked the physician's assistant about the x-ray. I think it is time they brought in the orthopedic people and I will request this when I go this week. The OT also was trying out an electrical stimulus on his wrists to try to stimulate more movement. He seems to actually have better movement in the arm that is dislocated than his other arm. The stimulus thing did not seem to do as well as they expected.They were surprised at the movement in his wrist in his left arm.
He sat up today, as well as having the swallowing test etc, for 45 minutes!! They said he asked how long he had been sitting up and when they told him it was 45 min. he said "I want to sit up for an hour"! He did really well with his oxygen levels dropping below 90 a few times but he was able to recover himself. He maintains a good attitude, as well as could be expected, with losing all privacy,most movement and constant handling, beeping. buzzing and TV going on. I would probably go ballistic!
I plan to go see him Friday through Sunday this weekend. I will be trying to stay at the "Comfort House" a Ronald MacDonald type facility. Rick and I visited it and it actually is like a very nice "bed without breakfast". It is $20 per night and saves us money. I will miss just walking across the street to the VA, and the 2 newspapers you get everyday. (this newspaper thing signifies a Thomaston paper deficiency!))otherwise it should be fine. Rick and I will probably stay at the motel when he goes as we usually take the dogs with us.
As you may know they have been hobo-ing it for the 2 months we were gone and we are trying to rein them in. Tomorrow we go to court in Thomaston for chicken thieving!! I know this will make you look forward to the next episode of "Dustin, dogs and chickens" - A Thomaston/Jones experience not to be missed!
We had a good trip to Virginia and cleaned out my mom's house. We got some really beautiful things from her that will be special and remind me of my great love for her. We did the Beverly Hillbilly's road trip with our old van and trailer piled high. Rick gets the best driving award to have gotten us safely home.
Dustin had a great visit with Nerina and her family. I think he got spoiled having constant conversation and diversion from the hospital routine. Those of you who know Dustin know how his mind goes non-stop. It was nice for him to be able to have such great conversations and new things to think about. He is one loved boy by all of us!!
As usual we appreciate all of the prayers and support. We are still believing for great progress not only in Dustin, but in each and every one of our lives- yours included.
love to all
Rick and Mary Pat
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Dear Rick and Mary Pat,
I think of you and Dustin often. You are all prayed for at our Wednesday morning, Thursday evening and Sunday morning group prayer times which include our pastor, his wife and several other faithful people of prayer. I will print your latest blog and we will pray about it tonight.
Believing God's best for you all (including the dogs' scrape with the law),
Ruth
Hi Mary Pat & Rick!
I just read the following on a news/prayer email I receive from Bridges to Peace ministry re: Israel. Thought it might be helpful...
10. Three Times a Day Keeps Pneumonia Away!
It happens far more than people might realize: ventilator-associated
pneumonia, or VAP for short, is a leading hospital-borne infection in
American hospitals, causing an unnecessary 26,000 deaths per year. The
pneumonia afflicts mainly patients who are ventilated, when bacteria -
innocuous in the mouth - travel down to the lungs where they wreck
havoc.
A new study conducted by a team of Israeli nurses at medical centers
throughout the country has proven what nurses around America, and the
world, have known and been practising for some time. That brushing a
ventilated patient's teeth three times a day, can cut down the rate of
VAP quite radically. The toothbrush is literally a lifesaver.
The pioneering study, published in an Israeli nursing journal, and about
to be published in a leading international journal, was performed by a
team of eight nurses at Israeli medical centers, including
Hadassah-University Medical Center, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center at
Tel Hashomer, and the Rabin Medical Center.
Julie Benbenishty, the study's leader, is an American-born nurse who
works at Hadassah-University Medical Center. She has been brushing
patients' teeth for several years and is convinced that it reduces up to
25% of all VAP infections in ventilated patients. Afflicting about 15%
of all people who are ventilated, VAP can set in as early as two to
three days after intubation.
Nurse Ofra Raanan, the team leader at Sheba says the same, although the
exact percentage is debatable, she notes, at least until more hard
evidence is brought to the table. "Intubations are the main reason why
people are getting pneumonia," she tells ISRAEL21c.
While the Israeli nurses may be the first to have shown that teeth
brushing can reduce VAP, they are yet to say by how much, and wait for
new results to come in. In some cases, a nurse can do everything in his
or her power to prevent pneumonia - using suction, teeth brushing and
elevating the head and organs - but even then the patient can still get
VAP, explains Raanan.
Now, with clear-cut evidence that the practice works, however, the
Israeli nursing research team expects hospitals everywhere to make a
bigger investment in the toothbrush
Blessings!
Susan Woods
Post a Comment