Day Twelve Part Two

11:15 PM

Well the ventilator tube was not out when we went back at 3:00 this afternoon. But they came in about 3:30 and took it out. Don immediately wanted to talk. We tried to keep him from it because it raised his breaths per minute. He should have been breathing around 25 breaths per minute and he often went up into the 40's. He was very confused again and talking of people wanting to kill him and begging me not to leave him there along. Eventually they had to give him some morphine in hopes to calm him down but it didn't. When I left at 5:00 I promised I would be back to see him if he would be try to rest and be quiet. He said he would - but he wasn't. When I went in at 9:00 he had pulled his NG tube out and said he didn't remember doing it. They had just finished putting another NG tube in when I came in at 9:00. He was still very confused and still worried about someone killing the both of us. I begged him to be good and rest. They had suggested at 5:00 if we didn't stay long on our visits that maybe he wouldn't get so stimulated and that maybe he wouldn't have the confusion. They have mentioned that Don could have head trauma that is not showing up on the CT scans. They said it could possibly be a concussion that would never show up on a scan. It wouldn't be anything long term but none the less still head trauma. The fever got up to 103.2 during our visit today at 3:00 but was down to 101.8 at 9:00. The ortho doctors are wanting to due surgery on the other hand on Thursday. I don't know that we will have it this soon considering all that we have dealt with and still dealing with since last Wednesday's surgery. I am just afraid if we put him under again that it will add to the confusion or if it has cleared up by that time we will have it to deal with all over again. Please pray that we make the right decision. We all want the best for Don - and we need guidance in that decision. Kristi and I said goodbye early and promised him a picture of Elinore (our dog) when we return tomorrow. He thinks she has been killed too! We are hoping that maybe by leaving early, he will rest better and not be over stimulated. Please keep praying!

Day Twelve

1:00

Don is having a better morning. When I arrived he was awake but the nurse was working with him - meds, repositioning him in the bed, etc. The nurse asked me to give her about 10 minutes and then I could come back into the room. Don began mouthing the words "Don't leave me". It really broke my heart. I told him I had to leave but that I would be back in just a few minutes. He began to motion for me to stand right out side the room. I told him I would be right out side but that he would not be able to see me. I had to convince him that I would be right back. When I was able to go back in he was so relieved to see me. He began to tell me something but with the ventilator tube in I could not understand him. They gave me a sheet with the alphabet and numbers on it and he began to try to spell out words with his finger. He couldn't spell out what he wanted but we finally figured out he wanted something to drink. He is still unable to eat or drink at this time so the only thing he could have was a sponge with water on it. He was asking lots of questions and we (his mother & I) were trying to figure it all out. The doctors came in while we were in and for the most part things are looking better. He still has a fever of 102.8 but they cannot find any infection thus far. They are thinking it is still linked to the NMS. His kidney counts are better today. They are trying to wean him off the ventilator. If that works (and it was while we were there this AM), he will get some "food" by the NG tube. He should be able to drink and talk when the ventilator tube comes out. They allowed us to stay until noon because he was being very good and enjoying our company. He rested some and would wake from time to time to try and ask questions. He promised he would be good until I could go back at 3:00 and not pull the tubes out. I hope the ventilator tube will have been removed by the doctor when we go in. He is restrained to keep him from pulling the tubes out. He is really swollen from all the fluids they gave him on Saturday to resuscitate him. But things are looking much better. The best I understood he was taken off his BP medicine and his BP was holding it's own. Thanks for all the prayers and just keep praying!!!!