August 2, 2009

Gene was very tired today. His vent pressure and oxygen level are giving him very minimal support and so he is working very hard to breathe on his own. He is probably also worn out from all the visits from his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren yesterday.

There is a delicate balance in treating his pressure wound - keeping him turned and keeping the pressure from being immobile in bed from worsening his wound, and keeping him in a place where his breathing is sustained at a level that gives him enough oxygen for healing. It seems that when he is turned much on his right side to relieve pressure on the wound, that he encounters difficulty with keeping his oxygen saturation level high enough - and sometimes the respiratory therapists move him back to his back. Of course the pressure wound is of great concern to all of his family.

The doctors have explained that his body is giving the highest priority for use of resources (food, water, oxygen, etc) to keeping his vital organs working and that the pressure wound is last in line for these resources. This time is very difficult for the family, as non-medical professionals, to try to understand all that's going on with him and to know exactly how to advocate for him in the best way.

Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene's body to grow strong enough to allow his body resources to be used for the healing of his pressure wound and for his breathing to continue to grow stronger. Pray for Emily to have peace of mind that she has been a strong advocate for Gene and has done her best to help see that he has had the best care.