Doug has had a good couple of days with steady improvement in his breathing ..... he's now on the C-Pap ventilator with no added oxygen and appears to be doing well.
Unfortunately he has still not truly got rid of the chest infection so he's been put back on anti-biotics again.
However it does not seem to have affected his other improvements in mobility, co-ordination and spacial awareness.
The dreaded "V" has now become a stock in trade symbol to go with thumbs up, down and wagging, much to the amusement of the nurses!! I think we'll have to re-designate it as a "Vibes to Douglas" sign, even if only to avoid those not in the know from making wrong assumptions!!
Whether or not he goes down for his PEG feeding tube this coming Wednesday will depend largely on his breathing, so here's hoping allus good.
Last night he occupied a fair time playing right handed 'catch' with the night shift nurse using one of these grip improver balls. All very impressive really. Unfortunately he's become very adept at tossing it into the corner of the ward whereupon it disappears under one of the many cabinets!
Daytime he's been up in a chair but he's so active that staff find it difficult to maintain his position and spend a lot of time moving him back to where he should be. All good stuff though.
Keep it up Dougie :-) :-)
Iain
Friday 30 May 2008
Tuesday 27 May 2008
Quiet Progress
It has been a relatively quiet couple of days with small but significant improvements in movement and co-ordination. Muscular movements are more positive and there has also been a considerable improvement in Dougies left eye condition. Unfortunately his eye had developed an ulcerated area due to incomplete closure of the eyelid which had allowed the eyeball to dry out. This was accompanied by a viral infection that has proved difficult to shift. However things do seem to be coming right.
He has definitely not lost his sense of humour! Kinda wonderous given what he has been through really! I wish I had such resilience.
He had been moved into the HDU (High Dependency Unit) - really just around the corner but a significant indication that his condition has become much more stable since it involves one nurse to two patients rather than the 1:1 of ICU.
His breathing steadily improves and over the next couple of days he'll be moved to an even lower level of external support from the ventilator (he's been on no added oxygen for a couple of days now and seems to have coped OK).
The neurological team are very, very happy with his progress - quite something compared to two weeks ago as the consultant said.
As for visiting ......... his ventilator changes will mean he will be very tired at some point during the day and may well sleep a lot. Given that, and remembering that it is still a HDU with lots of other very sick patients to be considered, I'm sure he'd love to see a few more well kent faces and something other than mom'n'pop chatter!!! But PLEASE ... keep it down to 2 late morning and two late afternoon as a maximum - there will be plenty of opportunity to visit in the future since recovery will be an extended process, so pace yourselves folks!!!!!!
Also do be prepared for the fact that medical requirements will always take priority so you may not actually see him at all (the waiting area can become very familiar after a wee while!!)
We routinely read out Blog and Facebook chat to him, so he's being kept in touch.
Iain (the Auld Yin ... getting aulder by the minute:-))
He has definitely not lost his sense of humour! Kinda wonderous given what he has been through really! I wish I had such resilience.
He had been moved into the HDU (High Dependency Unit) - really just around the corner but a significant indication that his condition has become much more stable since it involves one nurse to two patients rather than the 1:1 of ICU.
His breathing steadily improves and over the next couple of days he'll be moved to an even lower level of external support from the ventilator (he's been on no added oxygen for a couple of days now and seems to have coped OK).
The neurological team are very, very happy with his progress - quite something compared to two weeks ago as the consultant said.
As for visiting ......... his ventilator changes will mean he will be very tired at some point during the day and may well sleep a lot. Given that, and remembering that it is still a HDU with lots of other very sick patients to be considered, I'm sure he'd love to see a few more well kent faces and something other than mom'n'pop chatter!!! But PLEASE ... keep it down to 2 late morning and two late afternoon as a maximum - there will be plenty of opportunity to visit in the future since recovery will be an extended process, so pace yourselves folks!!!!!!
Also do be prepared for the fact that medical requirements will always take priority so you may not actually see him at all (the waiting area can become very familiar after a wee while!!)
We routinely read out Blog and Facebook chat to him, so he's being kept in touch.
Iain (the Auld Yin ... getting aulder by the minute:-))
Friday 23 May 2008
A whopee day .............
Well to-day was a real whopee day!! Dougie was up and about in a chair for the first time!!
OK, so it was a 'special' one (a bit like a super recliner) and he wasn't sitting bolt upright but never the less it was quite an achievement especially since he was on the BiPap ventilator breathing normal air (i.e. no added oxygen).
He spent a total of 4 hours in it, much to the surprise of the nursing staff who'd expected more like an hour by which time he'd be tired out. He was lifting his head off the back and moving his head around very well. In addition his right leg had developed enough thrust to shove the contraption across the floor ...... Go Dougie ... go !!!! He nearly wore me out acting as a thrust pad!
His left leg was also moving much more and, to top off a really good day, we got a somewhat shaky hand wave when we said goodnight!! Needless to say, our cup runneth over so to speak.
He's back on full ventilator for the night to rest but will revert to BiPap tomorrow .. and the chair of course, provided he's not too tired.
Mind you, seeing him sitting up really points out how much muscle loss there has been over the past month - it's not surprising that he gets tired moving.
He also has a long way to go in re-establishing co-ordination. He does seem to have mastered the 'thumb touches finger' test on his right hand although he had a little difficulty touching his little finger.
Whoopee indeed ..................... :-) :-) :-)
Iain
OK, so it was a 'special' one (a bit like a super recliner) and he wasn't sitting bolt upright but never the less it was quite an achievement especially since he was on the BiPap ventilator breathing normal air (i.e. no added oxygen).
He spent a total of 4 hours in it, much to the surprise of the nursing staff who'd expected more like an hour by which time he'd be tired out. He was lifting his head off the back and moving his head around very well. In addition his right leg had developed enough thrust to shove the contraption across the floor ...... Go Dougie ... go !!!! He nearly wore me out acting as a thrust pad!
His left leg was also moving much more and, to top off a really good day, we got a somewhat shaky hand wave when we said goodnight!! Needless to say, our cup runneth over so to speak.
He's back on full ventilator for the night to rest but will revert to BiPap tomorrow .. and the chair of course, provided he's not too tired.
Mind you, seeing him sitting up really points out how much muscle loss there has been over the past month - it's not surprising that he gets tired moving.
He also has a long way to go in re-establishing co-ordination. He does seem to have mastered the 'thumb touches finger' test on his right hand although he had a little difficulty touching his little finger.
Whoopee indeed ..................... :-) :-) :-)
Iain
Thursday 22 May 2008
One .. maybe two forward !
To-day Doug spent most of the morning dozing off after a somewhat disturbed night. However the good news is that he is now off the anti-biotic so it looks like the chest infection has cleared (please God).
Perhaps, as a result of this, he has been pretty active leg wise and his left leg is beginning to pick up again. His right could pedal for Scotland ... and it does seem like it is controlled activity and not just nerve spikes. His range of voluntary movements also seems to have got stronger - like moving his lower body on the bed - not quite inverse press-ups but getting there.
Veronica was in to see him to-day followed later by Anna and that must really have brightened his day :-) Must have ..... see Anna post on Facebook :-))
I'm not sure whether Nick and Heike made it in 'cause we missed the day shift nurse, so by the time we saw him this evening, he was in his 'just let me sleep' mode again ! Mind you he did respond pretty positively to DavyPs' "V" sign with a huge grin ............ really must find out what all that is about!!!
He's still in the full ventilator (24 hours) and, although is breathing seems much better, it still gallops away on occasion.
The Docs are saying that we should keep him quiet for a few more days yet to build up his reserves ready for the next round of physio and BiPap activity. It also seems likely that he'll get what is called a PEG 'installed' in the next week or so to enable the nose feeding tube to be dispensed with. The PEG is a direct tap into the stomach below the valve that prevents regurgitation and is a far better way to administer external feeding especially since Doug has been on a nose tube for over a month now. Jees ........ its hard to believe.
We really do appreciate all your help in this 'cause I know many of you would really like to visit. However think of it this way ..... the better his rest, the better his recovery rate.
We'd really like to see him move beyond ICU although I for one would really miss the marvelous care and attention he's getting and the re-assurance that it gives Sheena and I.
Iain
Perhaps, as a result of this, he has been pretty active leg wise and his left leg is beginning to pick up again. His right could pedal for Scotland ... and it does seem like it is controlled activity and not just nerve spikes. His range of voluntary movements also seems to have got stronger - like moving his lower body on the bed - not quite inverse press-ups but getting there.
Veronica was in to see him to-day followed later by Anna and that must really have brightened his day :-) Must have ..... see Anna post on Facebook :-))
I'm not sure whether Nick and Heike made it in 'cause we missed the day shift nurse, so by the time we saw him this evening, he was in his 'just let me sleep' mode again ! Mind you he did respond pretty positively to DavyPs' "V" sign with a huge grin ............ really must find out what all that is about!!!
He's still in the full ventilator (24 hours) and, although is breathing seems much better, it still gallops away on occasion.
The Docs are saying that we should keep him quiet for a few more days yet to build up his reserves ready for the next round of physio and BiPap activity. It also seems likely that he'll get what is called a PEG 'installed' in the next week or so to enable the nose feeding tube to be dispensed with. The PEG is a direct tap into the stomach below the valve that prevents regurgitation and is a far better way to administer external feeding especially since Doug has been on a nose tube for over a month now. Jees ........ its hard to believe.
We really do appreciate all your help in this 'cause I know many of you would really like to visit. However think of it this way ..... the better his rest, the better his recovery rate.
We'd really like to see him move beyond ICU although I for one would really miss the marvelous care and attention he's getting and the re-assurance that it gives Sheena and I.
Iain
Monday 19 May 2008
One forward .........
We've just been in to see Dougie and because of turning and settling for the night etc. only managed around 15 mins with him.
He is still battling the chest infection but was definitely looking better than earlier to-day. He spent the day on a B-Pak ventilator (I'm sure I've got the name wrong?) and was doing reasonably well although he was pretty tired by around tea time so he's back on full ventilator for the night.
His responses continue to strenghten and when we were there early afternoon he was really trying to stretch his back ... I guess lying still that long must give some aches and pains. His leg movements are getting bigger although predominantly on the right side and he gets a fair shove, enough to move his hips on the bed.
Keep it going Doug - we're so proud of you.
Iain (the Auld Yin)
He is still battling the chest infection but was definitely looking better than earlier to-day. He spent the day on a B-Pak ventilator (I'm sure I've got the name wrong?) and was doing reasonably well although he was pretty tired by around tea time so he's back on full ventilator for the night.
His responses continue to strenghten and when we were there early afternoon he was really trying to stretch his back ... I guess lying still that long must give some aches and pains. His leg movements are getting bigger although predominantly on the right side and he gets a fair shove, enough to move his hips on the bed.
Keep it going Doug - we're so proud of you.
Iain (the Auld Yin)
Saturday 17 May 2008
Three forward ..... two back
Dougie has been making good progress over the last couple of days that culminated in a positive right arm raise of the fore arm on two occasions, one with the pointy finger!! Needless to say everyone was overjoyed and when it was followed by a positive leg raise off the bed ........ well you can imagine the joy !!!!!!!!
Unfortunately his chest infection has made a re-appearance and so he's been put back on anti-biotics (the previous course stopped 4 days ago). The Docs say it is a hospital acquired infection and is sensitive to drug treatment. I do so hope they are right ..... Douglas just does not need this extra complication right now.
As a result of this his breathing has become less satisfactory again, but, despite this he was quite bright this afternoon when Kirsty and Anna were with him.
To-night he is on full ventilator and has been given a sleeping potion to try and ensure a good nights rest.
On balance he is still progressing, albeit slowly.
All of us can't thank you guys enough for your good wishes and positive thoughts. You have no idea how much it buoys us up on this roller coaster ride of emotions.
Iain
Unfortunately his chest infection has made a re-appearance and so he's been put back on anti-biotics (the previous course stopped 4 days ago). The Docs say it is a hospital acquired infection and is sensitive to drug treatment. I do so hope they are right ..... Douglas just does not need this extra complication right now.
As a result of this his breathing has become less satisfactory again, but, despite this he was quite bright this afternoon when Kirsty and Anna were with him.
To-night he is on full ventilator and has been given a sleeping potion to try and ensure a good nights rest.
On balance he is still progressing, albeit slowly.
All of us can't thank you guys enough for your good wishes and positive thoughts. You have no idea how much it buoys us up on this roller coaster ride of emotions.
Iain
Thursday 15 May 2008
Three forward ... one back ......... ever upward
Dougie was worked pretty hard over the last 48 hours having been free breathing the whole time. As a result he really was exhausted and the Docs decided to put him back on the full ventilator early this afternoon. The problem is that when he is tired his breathing rate goes up dramatically and each breath becomes very shallow. When we saw him earlier to-day he was still free breathing and looking alert but tired. This evening he certainly looked a bit more rested. I think there will be a slight change of tack with shorter free breathing periods and shorter full support periods.
He is progressing satisfactorily towards minimum drugs intervention, all of which is good.
In addition the range of his responses appears to be extending with nods and head shakes more evident.
Any downgrading of status (Intensive to High Dependency) really depends on this breathing issue so I do hope that together Doug and the team can get it sorted.
Sheena and I are going in late morning and staying till mid afternoon (off and on for rounds etc.) and then going back around 9.15ish to see him settled. It's so hard to come away .........
Iain
He is progressing satisfactorily towards minimum drugs intervention, all of which is good.
In addition the range of his responses appears to be extending with nods and head shakes more evident.
Any downgrading of status (Intensive to High Dependency) really depends on this breathing issue so I do hope that together Doug and the team can get it sorted.
Sheena and I are going in late morning and staying till mid afternoon (off and on for rounds etc.) and then going back around 9.15ish to see him settled. It's so hard to come away .........
Iain
Tuesday 13 May 2008
Progress continues .....
We have just been in to see Douglas and the slow improvement continues.
He has been changed to a C-Pak ventilator that essentially means he is free breathing and he appears to be tolerating it well but is having to work quite hard.
His responses continue to improve but I suspect he's getting a bit bolshie at the repeated requests to perform!!!
His lung infection continues to improve.
He'll be back on the full ventilator overnight to rest and then C-Pak again tomorrow.
He had a very nice nurse giving him a shampoo yesterday that involved a microwaveable shower cap affair and he looked as though he was really reveling in the head massage that went with it!!
Each little improvement is so very heart lightening that it's difficult to accept just how far we have all to go.
Keep the good vibes coming!
Iain
He has been changed to a C-Pak ventilator that essentially means he is free breathing and he appears to be tolerating it well but is having to work quite hard.
His responses continue to improve but I suspect he's getting a bit bolshie at the repeated requests to perform!!!
His lung infection continues to improve.
He'll be back on the full ventilator overnight to rest and then C-Pak again tomorrow.
He had a very nice nurse giving him a shampoo yesterday that involved a microwaveable shower cap affair and he looked as though he was really reveling in the head massage that went with it!!
Each little improvement is so very heart lightening that it's difficult to accept just how far we have all to go.
Keep the good vibes coming!
Iain
Sunday 11 May 2008
It's a slow process .........
Sheena and I have just been in to see Dougie.
The improvement in his lung condition continues although much more slowly than a couple of days ago. He continues to be weened off the ventilator but still has a way to go yet.
He had been worked pretty hard yesterday afternoon and evening and as a result he slept nearly all the time we were there. The lack of response was a bit disheartening but I guess its not surprising.
His gripping responses appear to be getting stronger.
All in all, a bit like the curates egg ..... good in parts.
Keep on fighting Doug.
The improvement in his lung condition continues although much more slowly than a couple of days ago. He continues to be weened off the ventilator but still has a way to go yet.
He had been worked pretty hard yesterday afternoon and evening and as a result he slept nearly all the time we were there. The lack of response was a bit disheartening but I guess its not surprising.
His gripping responses appear to be getting stronger.
All in all, a bit like the curates egg ..... good in parts.
Keep on fighting Doug.
Saturday 10 May 2008
Remarkable improvement!
Reposting Iain's entry from Facebook...
There has been some further improvement in Dougs condition in that he seems to be starting to get over his chest infection. This has always been a worry but there seems to have been a 'remarkable' improvement in the last 24 hours so at last the anti-biotic seems to be having an effect.He is also being weened off the ventilator and, so far, is tolerating it well. His physical responses appear undiminished ... very encouraging!It looks like the 'quiet' approach is beginning to pay off, but we'd like to continue with it for another 4 to 5 days yet to give as much chance for him to beat the chest infection as possible.I really do appreciate all your participation in this .... ; we'll be much happier, as will he, when he's fully off the ventilator and feeling comfortable.Many thanks for all your good wishes.
There has been some further improvement in Dougs condition in that he seems to be starting to get over his chest infection. This has always been a worry but there seems to have been a 'remarkable' improvement in the last 24 hours so at last the anti-biotic seems to be having an effect.He is also being weened off the ventilator and, so far, is tolerating it well. His physical responses appear undiminished ... very encouraging!It looks like the 'quiet' approach is beginning to pay off, but we'd like to continue with it for another 4 to 5 days yet to give as much chance for him to beat the chest infection as possible.I really do appreciate all your participation in this .... ; we'll be much happier, as will he, when he's fully off the ventilator and feeling comfortable.Many thanks for all your good wishes.
Friday 9 May 2008
Doug's update
I know that things have been quiet on the blog for a couple of days so here is a quick update.....
Doug has had an uncomfortable couple of days, but the basics seem pretty stable. He is still trying to shed the chest infection, and an eye infection too, but is still able to give squeeze responses and has wiggled a toe or two, on both sides of his body which is fantastic.
Last night we were told he had shown his tongue on request, so his Uncle Graham got excited and told him to poke his tongue out at his mum, which yielded a distinct grin. Its so great to know his sense of humour is there.
Onwards and upwards!
Doug has had an uncomfortable couple of days, but the basics seem pretty stable. He is still trying to shed the chest infection, and an eye infection too, but is still able to give squeeze responses and has wiggled a toe or two, on both sides of his body which is fantastic.
Last night we were told he had shown his tongue on request, so his Uncle Graham got excited and told him to poke his tongue out at his mum, which yielded a distinct grin. Its so great to know his sense of humour is there.
Onwards and upwards!
Wednesday 7 May 2008
Hi folks, this is the latest update on Dougie posted by his dad on the Facebook group ....
He appears to be holding his own and even progressing a bit in the last couple of days. His ability to grip with both hands, move feet and legs and respond to commands seems to be getting stronger which is absolutely great. He is still suffering from a persistent chest infection that is proving difficult to clear but the clinical signs were good enough that the Docs did not believe it necessary to do further inter-cranial pressure checks.
He remains on the critical list but progress does appear to be slowly upwards. We find it so difficult to accept the slow rate of progress despite having been well warned of this. His medical team are absolutely wonderful and what with that and the good wishes of all you folks ... he's a lucky lad really.
Visiting ... a further quite period whilst they assess their plan of campaign so I'm afraid it'll have to be good vibes in the meantime.
He appears to be holding his own and even progressing a bit in the last couple of days. His ability to grip with both hands, move feet and legs and respond to commands seems to be getting stronger which is absolutely great. He is still suffering from a persistent chest infection that is proving difficult to clear but the clinical signs were good enough that the Docs did not believe it necessary to do further inter-cranial pressure checks.
He remains on the critical list but progress does appear to be slowly upwards. We find it so difficult to accept the slow rate of progress despite having been well warned of this. His medical team are absolutely wonderful and what with that and the good wishes of all you folks ... he's a lucky lad really.
Visiting ... a further quite period whilst they assess their plan of campaign so I'm afraid it'll have to be good vibes in the meantime.
Sunday 4 May 2008
And to add to the joy ..........
Hi folks,
This morning (4th May) Dougie squeezed Sheenas' hand and repeated the trick for nurses and doctors!!
This was the first sign that he was coming out of the 'locked in' state that so worried us all and that was in contradiction to the lack of damage to the brain stem.
Tell you what, if the WRVS Cafe had sold champagne at breakfast time they'd have sold out this morning :-)
He has also started moving legs and feet on command and on his own.
However all this good news means that he has been descended upon by neurologists, physios and a multitude of specialists and, in consequence, is really tired out.
In oder to avoid interfering with the medical programe we have been asked to back off on visiting for at least a week to 10 days 'cause all the essential stuff is likely to exhaust him.
Regardless, it is all great news ...... well done Doug and keep up the good work.
Thanks to you all for your support and good wishes
Iain
This morning (4th May) Dougie squeezed Sheenas' hand and repeated the trick for nurses and doctors!!
This was the first sign that he was coming out of the 'locked in' state that so worried us all and that was in contradiction to the lack of damage to the brain stem.
Tell you what, if the WRVS Cafe had sold champagne at breakfast time they'd have sold out this morning :-)
He has also started moving legs and feet on command and on his own.
However all this good news means that he has been descended upon by neurologists, physios and a multitude of specialists and, in consequence, is really tired out.
In oder to avoid interfering with the medical programe we have been asked to back off on visiting for at least a week to 10 days 'cause all the essential stuff is likely to exhaust him.
Regardless, it is all great news ...... well done Doug and keep up the good work.
Thanks to you all for your support and good wishes
Iain
Saturday 3 May 2008
MRI results
Late last night we got some preliminary results back from the MRI scan. The scan confirmed there is damage to Doug's cerebellum and also showed some damage to the temporal lobe. However the brain stem is "largely unaffected". This is good news, as we had feared that there was brain-stem damage given last week's diagnosis of locked-in syndrome. It has left the doctors puzzled as to why Doug is still locked-in however. We will have to wait until Tuesday for a review by the specialist neuro team.
Friday 2 May 2008
MRI
Doug has been moved to a new room - still in the ICU but now with a window. He had an MRI scan done this afternoon - an involved process as it requires switching him over to portable versions of his life support equipment and wheeling him, his bed and all of the paraphernalia to the scanner. He was put back on sedation for the scan and was still sleeping when we left. We are not likely to hear the results of the scan until tomorrow. They are unlikely to lead to a change to his treatment but they might shed some light on the reason for the initial stroke (which we still don't know) and give an indication of the extent of the brain damage.
Thursday 1 May 2008
The story to date ...
Hi folks ....
I'm Iain, the proud father of Douglas.
Many people have been inquiring as to the well being of Douglas so here is a brief (but somewhat rambling) summary of the way things stand to-day (30th April).
Ward 20 (ICU) Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
After a very traumatic few days late last week when things did not look at all good, Douglas appears to have started on an upward trend.
He was breathing only with the aid of a ventilator on Sunday but, in the space of around 30 hours he was breathing on his own, supported by the ventilator which was tremendous news. To make him more comfortable he had a tracheostomy on Monday (28th) which allowed the tubes to be removed from his mouth and throat and also allowed the sedation level to be reduced to zero. Since then his breathing has greatly improved although, when he is tired, it still appears a bit laboured. His oxygen intake now approaches normal but he still has a slight temperature.
It's so good to seeing him look more like the old Douglas we all know and love.
He is able to respond to both voice and presence and is learning to communicate with eye signals and has very recently started to move his mouth as well.
Since Monday he has been bombarded with specialists (neuro, speach, physio etc) all looking for positive responses and, by to-day, he was looking very tired and somewhat pissed off at the world which is hardly surprising!
We have decided, on medical advice, to declare a halt to visitors other than immediate family and very close friends to give him time to rest although both we and he do most sincerely appreciate all the support that he has from his wide and varied circle of friends. Hummmm that doesn't look quite right somehow but I'm sure you understand what I mean.
As for the future ........ neither we nor the excellent medical staff really know the answer. We simply have to wait and see. This is the hardest thing for family and friends to bear - we'd all like to think that somehow there was a quick fix, but sadly that can not be. This is really very early in what will be a lengthy recovery period of recovery extending over at the very least 18 months so Douglas really needs all the love and support he can get. He has both youth, strength and very good physical fitness on his side which is more than many in his position have.
We shall try to keep posting as things progress but please do realise that it may not always be as positive as we would wish - it is a real roller coaster believe me.
With regard to visiting, whilst I'm sure he'd much rather listen to chat from his own generation I would ask that until at least the 4th May we all give him a period of rest. He'll be bombarded by specialists anyhow.
After that we'd really appreciate if visitors could be kept at around 4 folk per day 'cause not only must we avoid tiring Douglas out but we must also appreciate that he is in an Intensive Care Unit with some much less fortunate patients in the same facility.
When he is moved to HDU (and hopefully the Neuro Ward) things will change but that has yet to come.
Sorry for rambling on, but I did warn you!!
Both Douglas, his mother, Sheena, and I value most greatly the caring friendship of you all. Sheena and I would have found it almost impossible to keep postive without all your support and I feel certain Douglas both knows and understands all your best wishes.
Thank you.
Iain Moffatt
I'm Iain, the proud father of Douglas.
Many people have been inquiring as to the well being of Douglas so here is a brief (but somewhat rambling) summary of the way things stand to-day (30th April).
Ward 20 (ICU) Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
After a very traumatic few days late last week when things did not look at all good, Douglas appears to have started on an upward trend.
He was breathing only with the aid of a ventilator on Sunday but, in the space of around 30 hours he was breathing on his own, supported by the ventilator which was tremendous news. To make him more comfortable he had a tracheostomy on Monday (28th) which allowed the tubes to be removed from his mouth and throat and also allowed the sedation level to be reduced to zero. Since then his breathing has greatly improved although, when he is tired, it still appears a bit laboured. His oxygen intake now approaches normal but he still has a slight temperature.
It's so good to seeing him look more like the old Douglas we all know and love.
He is able to respond to both voice and presence and is learning to communicate with eye signals and has very recently started to move his mouth as well.
Since Monday he has been bombarded with specialists (neuro, speach, physio etc) all looking for positive responses and, by to-day, he was looking very tired and somewhat pissed off at the world which is hardly surprising!
We have decided, on medical advice, to declare a halt to visitors other than immediate family and very close friends to give him time to rest although both we and he do most sincerely appreciate all the support that he has from his wide and varied circle of friends. Hummmm that doesn't look quite right somehow but I'm sure you understand what I mean.
As for the future ........ neither we nor the excellent medical staff really know the answer. We simply have to wait and see. This is the hardest thing for family and friends to bear - we'd all like to think that somehow there was a quick fix, but sadly that can not be. This is really very early in what will be a lengthy recovery period of recovery extending over at the very least 18 months so Douglas really needs all the love and support he can get. He has both youth, strength and very good physical fitness on his side which is more than many in his position have.
We shall try to keep posting as things progress but please do realise that it may not always be as positive as we would wish - it is a real roller coaster believe me.
With regard to visiting, whilst I'm sure he'd much rather listen to chat from his own generation I would ask that until at least the 4th May we all give him a period of rest. He'll be bombarded by specialists anyhow.
After that we'd really appreciate if visitors could be kept at around 4 folk per day 'cause not only must we avoid tiring Douglas out but we must also appreciate that he is in an Intensive Care Unit with some much less fortunate patients in the same facility.
When he is moved to HDU (and hopefully the Neuro Ward) things will change but that has yet to come.
Sorry for rambling on, but I did warn you!!
Both Douglas, his mother, Sheena, and I value most greatly the caring friendship of you all. Sheena and I would have found it almost impossible to keep postive without all your support and I feel certain Douglas both knows and understands all your best wishes.
Thank you.
Iain Moffatt
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