Gene is still exhausted from the debridment procedure, He seems but his vital signs are good. The debridement really sets him back each time they have to do it. They have his exygen set at 40 and his breathing pressure at 12. He seems very comfortable at those settings right now.
Joyce is here visiting Emily and they were at Kindred 3 times today. Bruce also came and did some massage which seems to be very beneficial for him. Two gentlemen from the Christian Business Men's Bible Study group came by to visit today and he was very glad to see them. Alan went to visit Gene late this evening and showed him a new picture of Max. That really perked him up.
A few updates on Gene's day to day routines. As a part of turning him, they have started pulling one leg up over the other one. This seems to give even more relief of pressure on the sore. When Emily is there he frequently requests that she wash his face with cold water. He also likes to have her put water on a sponge and put it in his mouth. Since he is being fed through a PEG tube (the gastric variety), he really misses actually eating and drinking. He has said a couple of times that he really misses his morning cup of coffee.
Gene still can't talk because the tracheotomy for the ventilator doesn't allow air to pass over his vocal cords so he just mouths words. It's very frustrating to him and to those that are trying to take care of him that he sometimes can't effectively communicate his needs and wants. As social as he is, it's very hard for him for him not to be able to talk with his visitors and have them understand him. It's often very hard for even those who are closest to him to make out what he is trying to say unless it's a simple word or two.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for Gene's spirit to remain strong. Pray for Emily to have strength and courage. Pray that healing will come to his pressure wound, his respiration, and his body.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
August 13, 2009
Gene is still very tired from the debriding procedure yesterday. Emily reported that they had turned his pressure and oxygen way up to make him more comfortable during the procedure, and that they were already working on bringing down both the pressure and the supplemental oxygen today and tonight.
Gene has had lots of company today. Bruce came again today and did some massage. There were also several other visitors. Joyce came down today and stayed with Gene while Emily went to her PEO meeting. It's great that she is able to come down and be such a support for Emily. And Emily's return to a few of her activities, such as going to church and PEO is a very good thing for her.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for Gene to gain strength and to heal. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs, for his respiration to grow stronger, and for his spirit to remain strong. Pray for Emily to have strength and courage.
Gene has had lots of company today. Bruce came again today and did some massage. There were also several other visitors. Joyce came down today and stayed with Gene while Emily went to her PEO meeting. It's great that she is able to come down and be such a support for Emily. And Emily's return to a few of her activities, such as going to church and PEO is a very good thing for her.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for Gene to gain strength and to heal. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs, for his respiration to grow stronger, and for his spirit to remain strong. Pray for Emily to have strength and courage.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 12, 2009
First of all, the family is deeply appreciative of the prayers, support, and continued visits. The response to this blog is very important to Gene and Emily and the children.
Gene is still being fed through a stomach tube. The doctors indicated that his protein counts were not as high as they should have been. So as a response to that and to his weight loss, they are trying a new food formula. If his nutrition can get to optimum levels it will certainly help with his healing in all ways.
Today Gene sat up on the side of the bed for about 17 minutes and the Physical Therapists worked with his feet and legs while Emily rubbed his back with lotion. Bruce came and did some massage on Genes' arms, hands, face, and neck, and said that he would come back tomorrow. The Physical Therapists will work with him so that his massage is most beneficial. The Physical Therapists worked with his legs using the electrodes.
Today Dr. Bryce did another debriding procedure. During the procedure he removed a small piece of tailbone that had been broken. He reported that Gene did really well. His oxygen and pressure were both turned up this time to help him get through the procedure a little more easily, but by bedtime tonight they were able to begin turning it back down. His blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature were all good tonight, but Emily reports that he looks exhausted! It was so supportive that Dr. Carver, their minister, came to Kindred and stayed with Emily while they were doing the procedure.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to have a good response to the debriding procedure so that his pressure wound can begin to heal. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs, for his respiration to grow stronger, and for his spirit to remain strong. Pray for Emily to have strength and courage.
Gene is still being fed through a stomach tube. The doctors indicated that his protein counts were not as high as they should have been. So as a response to that and to his weight loss, they are trying a new food formula. If his nutrition can get to optimum levels it will certainly help with his healing in all ways.
Today Gene sat up on the side of the bed for about 17 minutes and the Physical Therapists worked with his feet and legs while Emily rubbed his back with lotion. Bruce came and did some massage on Genes' arms, hands, face, and neck, and said that he would come back tomorrow. The Physical Therapists will work with him so that his massage is most beneficial. The Physical Therapists worked with his legs using the electrodes.
Today Dr. Bryce did another debriding procedure. During the procedure he removed a small piece of tailbone that had been broken. He reported that Gene did really well. His oxygen and pressure were both turned up this time to help him get through the procedure a little more easily, but by bedtime tonight they were able to begin turning it back down. His blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature were all good tonight, but Emily reports that he looks exhausted! It was so supportive that Dr. Carver, their minister, came to Kindred and stayed with Emily while they were doing the procedure.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to have a good response to the debriding procedure so that his pressure wound can begin to heal. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs, for his respiration to grow stronger, and for his spirit to remain strong. Pray for Emily to have strength and courage.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
August 11, 2009
Gene had a fairly good day today. Dr. Bryce the wound doctor visited him and evaluated his pressure wound and is going to do another debriding procedure tomorrow morning. Emily spent a good part of the day with him today and plans to be there tomorrow when they do the debriding.
Gene sat up for awhile today. It is very difficult for him and he has to be supported. While he was sitting up the nurse asked Emily if she would like to put lotion on his back - of course she was delighted to have that opportunity. Gene can feel the sensations when someone touches him, even though he has very limited movement.
It seems that after the debriding tomorrow there could be a set back in his breathing.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to have a good response to the debriding procedure so that his pressure wound can begin to heal. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs, for his respiration to grow stronger, and for his spirit to remain strong. Pray for Emily to have strength and courage.
Gene sat up for awhile today. It is very difficult for him and he has to be supported. While he was sitting up the nurse asked Emily if she would like to put lotion on his back - of course she was delighted to have that opportunity. Gene can feel the sensations when someone touches him, even though he has very limited movement.
It seems that after the debriding tomorrow there could be a set back in his breathing.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to have a good response to the debriding procedure so that his pressure wound can begin to heal. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs, for his respiration to grow stronger, and for his spirit to remain strong. Pray for Emily to have strength and courage.
Monday, August 10, 2009
August 10, 2009
Gene seemed to be comfortable but tired today.
His air pressure is set on 9 and oxygen is at 35. The occupational therapist worked with Gene today working with his arms on range of motion. He showed Emily how to do these range of motion exercises and told her it would be good for her to do them with Gene on a regular basis. The physical therapist worked with the electrodes on his legs to stimulate the muscles.
He had visits from Dr. Carver and Mose Payne from church. Jim West from the Friday morning Christian Business Men's Bible group that Dad belongs to also visited with him. Emily again spent a good part of her day at the hospital.
The wound nurse indicated that the Doctor will look at the pressure wound tomorrow. The family will be eager to hear what he has to say about the progress since the last debriding procedure.
Gene continues to lose a bit of weight at a time. The medical team has examined his nutrition and other possible causes. At this time, they do not have an answer for his weight loss, except the guess that perhaps his body is not able to absorb all the nutrition he is being given.
A couple of people have left comments or spoken about seeing Emily at church yesterday. It was good for her to be able to go.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to continue to improve, for his respiration to grow stronger every day, and for his body to have the resources to heal the pressure wound. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs for healing.
His air pressure is set on 9 and oxygen is at 35. The occupational therapist worked with Gene today working with his arms on range of motion. He showed Emily how to do these range of motion exercises and told her it would be good for her to do them with Gene on a regular basis. The physical therapist worked with the electrodes on his legs to stimulate the muscles.
He had visits from Dr. Carver and Mose Payne from church. Jim West from the Friday morning Christian Business Men's Bible group that Dad belongs to also visited with him. Emily again spent a good part of her day at the hospital.
The wound nurse indicated that the Doctor will look at the pressure wound tomorrow. The family will be eager to hear what he has to say about the progress since the last debriding procedure.
Gene continues to lose a bit of weight at a time. The medical team has examined his nutrition and other possible causes. At this time, they do not have an answer for his weight loss, except the guess that perhaps his body is not able to absorb all the nutrition he is being given.
A couple of people have left comments or spoken about seeing Emily at church yesterday. It was good for her to be able to go.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to continue to improve, for his respiration to grow stronger every day, and for his body to have the resources to heal the pressure wound. Pray for his body to be able to absorb the nutrients he needs for healing.
August 9, 2009
Gene's respiration pressure was lowered a bit today. He is still very tired, but seems to be much more comfortable. He is having difficulty breathing when he is turned to his left side, but seems to be doing better overall with breathing today.
Emily got up and went to Kindred at 6:30 this morning. She came home in time to go to church for the first time since Gene went into the hospital. It was a Gideon service, and it was a good time for her to go to a service. After church, she went to lunch with some friends and then right back to Kindred again. She was planning to go back again to say good night at bedtime.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to continue to improve, for his respiration to grow stronger every day, and for his body to have the resources to heal the pressure wound. Pray for Emily to have the strength to take care of her own needs as she advocates for Gene and cares for him.
Emily got up and went to Kindred at 6:30 this morning. She came home in time to go to church for the first time since Gene went into the hospital. It was a Gideon service, and it was a good time for her to go to a service. After church, she went to lunch with some friends and then right back to Kindred again. She was planning to go back again to say good night at bedtime.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to continue to improve, for his respiration to grow stronger every day, and for his body to have the resources to heal the pressure wound. Pray for Emily to have the strength to take care of her own needs as she advocates for Gene and cares for him.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
August 8, 2009
Gene was very tired today and his respiration has not been strong. He has slept off and on most of the day. Emily did find him more alert and stronger this evening.
Today, the twins, Ann and Sue, along with Sue's husband Kenneth visited with Gene. Ann flew in from California, and Sue and Kenneth picked her up at the airport in Nashville and got here last night in time for a short visit. Today they visited and told stories and reminisced. They have spoken so often of what an influence he was in their lives when they were growing up at Mt. Victory. It is a testimonial to the connection that they forged that they traveled to see him.
Emily has spent a good portion of the day at Kindred. She met with Dr. McGill and is planning to go in very early in the morning in order to have a chance to see him. Gene's nurse, Dennessee, has offered to meet with Emily and the doctor if she would like to help answer any questions she might have.
Gene's respiration has been raised to 15 this evening. That is the highest it has been in some time, but he is much less tired and was feeling better. It is easy to forget that breathing can be such hard work! And it is important to remember that set-backs are all a part of the vent weaning process. As soon as he is a bit stronger they will begin to lower the pressure again.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to continue to gain strength, for his respiration to continue to grow stronger, and for his pressure wound to heal. Pray that those who are charged with advocating and caring for him are able to ask and provide for his needs. Pray for both Emily and Gene to have strength and courage.
Today, the twins, Ann and Sue, along with Sue's husband Kenneth visited with Gene. Ann flew in from California, and Sue and Kenneth picked her up at the airport in Nashville and got here last night in time for a short visit. Today they visited and told stories and reminisced. They have spoken so often of what an influence he was in their lives when they were growing up at Mt. Victory. It is a testimonial to the connection that they forged that they traveled to see him.
Emily has spent a good portion of the day at Kindred. She met with Dr. McGill and is planning to go in very early in the morning in order to have a chance to see him. Gene's nurse, Dennessee, has offered to meet with Emily and the doctor if she would like to help answer any questions she might have.
Gene's respiration has been raised to 15 this evening. That is the highest it has been in some time, but he is much less tired and was feeling better. It is easy to forget that breathing can be such hard work! And it is important to remember that set-backs are all a part of the vent weaning process. As soon as he is a bit stronger they will begin to lower the pressure again.
Prayer requests
Please pray for Gene to continue to gain strength, for his respiration to continue to grow stronger, and for his pressure wound to heal. Pray that those who are charged with advocating and caring for him are able to ask and provide for his needs. Pray for both Emily and Gene to have strength and courage.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)