August 28, 2009

Gene has been on pressure 5 all day. This evening when Emily and Joyce visited, the respiratory nurse told them that Dr. Gunter had left orders that tomorrow would be a trial for Gene to be off the pressure and on supplementary oxygen only. It will be hard work for him tomorrow, and the respiratory team will be on standby in case his pressure support needs to be put back.

The wound team will also re-do his dressing on the pressure sore and have an opportunity to assess how it is healing. Emily advocated for them to wait to take him off the air pressure until the wound had been redressed.

The family has been told on many occassions that getting Gene weaned from the ventilator would be the most important step that could be made toward his healing. It may be a difficult day for Gene tomorrow, as he will not be having any pressure support at all.

Pray for his respiration to be strong and for him to have the strength and courage to breathe on his own. Pray for Emily to be strong and at peace.