Today we had a most sobering visit with the liaison from the Shepherd Spinal Center. It is her job to give us the worst case scenario, and she did.
At the Shepherd Center the first priority will be to try to wean Dad off the ventilator and begin some physical therapy to help begin regaining mobility. If it becomes apparent that he will not be able to come off the ventilator or gain any mobility, then they will train the family how to care for him and he will come home in a matter of 4 to 6 weeks.
If he can come off the ventilator and can tolerate physical therapy, they will work with him to take him as far as he can progress. There is a possibility that if he continues to improve, he could stay at the Shepherd for outpatient therapy for 2 or 3 weeks after he finishes inpatient care.
As best as I can remember her conversation, it seems that we should not expect Dad to be there more than 8 - 10 weeks, after which time we would need to be prepared to take care of him at home. They provide training for the family to meet the needs he will have for care at home.
The admission liaison will be finishing her summary of his medical records and tomorrow we will all get together to put together a plan of care to submit as a part of the package that goes to them to help determine if he is admitted. Plan A must be how we will provide care for him if he has to come home with a ventilator; plan B must be how we will provide care for him if he comes home without a ventilator.
We may hear something before the end of the week about whether or not he has been accepted, and we hope that he will be able to move as soon as possible. He may need to make some additional respiratory improvement before they are willing to move him.
Visitors today include:
Emily, Russ, Pat, Alan and Lynn.
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for Dad to have continued improvement against the Klebsiella infection, stronger respiratory function, and increased mobility. Pray for his family to have the strength to negotiate these next few days and weeks. Please especially pray for Emily.
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Emily, Gene, Lynn, et. al,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, Elijah, and I are all pulling so hard for Gene. Gene has been in our hearts and thoughts since before his surgery and we're all praying for him and Emily. We love you all so much and wish we could be with you now.