Serious Prayers are Needed for...

[RvUsa]

I have my fingers crossed and prayers going up that all works out for you. (pass that on to Pete)

 

[BRDof3]

We're still here, pouring it on. Hug him for all of us.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Your family is in our prayers.

 

[AuburnJen92]

We're still here worrying and praying.

 

[Millermouseketeers]

Your Dad and your family are in our prayers Christa.

 

[auntie]

I haven't been on here much lately...I have tears in my eyes reading this.
Thank you so much for your prayers, calls, texts, FB comments, etc. I have to say my DIS friends have shown more concern and prayed so hard than anyone else I know, including some relatives....my mom always said Campers are the best people....and it's so true!
Dad has been in the hospital two weeks now, intubated for over a week now. He has other medical issues that have made it tricky to treat him, but they are doing a great job at Tampa General. I guess the pnuemonia is clearing up, but he has been sleeping/sedated (with Michael Jackson's drug of choice Propofol) for a week now and they tried to wean him off the vent, and he is just so weak to do it....so they are going to put in a trach tomorrow ( i know, but we have no other choice) since they can't keep the tube down his throat much longer...it breaks my heart to see him like this. He was such an independant and sharp octogenerian before all of this. We need to get the trach in him and wake him up so they can begin to wean him off the vent. His dr. is optomistic that it will take a couple of weeks to do this and then they can take it out and let it close up. My dad isn't going to be very happy at all when he wakes up.....
He will also need rehab when he gets better. He is a strong man, but lying in a hospital bed for 2 weeks would make me a stiff mess, I can't imagine how he's going to feel.
I miss him so much, and I can't wait for him to wake up.
I'll let you guys know how it goes tomorow.

Thanks again so much for the continued prayers, I love you guys!!!

Christa and family

Hey Christa..my thoughts and prayers are with you. My dad was on a respirator for quite some time when he had his brain hemmorage. He was in an induced coma (much like what they're doing to your dad at this point) for six weeks. The idea was to let his brain and body recover and not have to do the work of breathing. While we were leary of the tracheotomy as well..it really wasn't a big deal. We (okay me).. even learned to clear it and keep it clean myself after a while. They did also have to give him a feeding tube. Again..we were worried about this..as I knew he would never want to live this way. Only honestly, it was a good thing. As it was a sign that he was recovering..albeit slowly, and you do need to provide nourishment to the body. I remember his doctor reassuring us that it was actually a step forward, although it didn't feel like it at the time. Most of this he was not even aware of...and has no memory of. It's we who remember it.
Of course.. I should mention, my dad was signifcantly younger at the time..this was almost 13 years ago, he was 56 at the time. He had his age in his favor, being strong enough to overcome so many medical obstacles. This did play a big part in the decisions that were made. The doctors felt he would not be on these devices to sustain life..just to buy him time for his body to respond. It did take some time to wean him off the respirator. Usually for short periods of time at first Evenutally he was able to breathe longer and longer without it's help. This is also a reason for the tracheotomy. It's necessary to wean him off of it. It sounds as if your dad has reached the point where they need to change the way the respirator is inflating his lungs. It's been my experience that after a certain period of time..it's medically necessary for them to do this. If he's going to be weaned off the respirator it will be easier to accomplish it this way..since as you say, he's been to weak to breathe on his own yet.

Every situation is different, and I'm sure the doctors have been honest with you in regards to what would be best for your dad. My heart breaks for you. Honestly, I've been there...more than once, and had to make two totally different choices. Either way..it's terrible.

I pray that your dad responds to the treatments that lie ahead, and that you are given the strength you need as well. God Bless you all.