Lung Surgery Update
Thought I'd give everyone a quick update on Mark's condition.
If you remember, his lungs were not functioning well and the doctors put him in a special bed which kept him on his stomach and rotated him periodically through a 3 hour period. For 1 hour out of every 4, he was placed on his back, which he didn't tolerate very well. Mark was attached to a complex ventilation system that strictly regulated in inhalations and exhalations, and was receiving 85% of his oxygen from the machine. The normal breathing rhythm is an exhalation that is longer than the inhalation. As Mark didn't tolerate that well, either, the ventilation system shortened the length of his exhalations.
The liquid diet that Mark receives was contributing to the congestion in his lungs and the fluid retention in his extremities, so the feedings were limited. He was on diuretics, pain medication, insulin, and medication to paralyze his muscles. Due to direct contact with the plastic cover on the bed, the heat generated by the mechanics of the bed, and lack of ventilation to his skin, Mark developed a rash on his chest and arms. The nurses were concerned that he was experiencing damage to his skin. I recommended that they place sheets between his body and the bed, because his skin is so sensitive.
This was all on Monday. However, when I walked into SICU on Wednesday, Mark was back in a regular bed, on a regular ventilator, receiving 50% of his oxygen from the machine. The doctors had stopped the diuretics and paralytic medication, and added protein to his feeding regimen. His skin looks perfectly normal and several times, while I was there, Mark moved his mouth and eyes as though he could hear the conversation around him and wanted to answer. One of the nurses noticed an odd sound coming from his throat and thought, perhaps, that he was trying to cough. I had to laugh, with joy, Mark was softly snoring!
There is very little swelling in his extremities - his hands are both quite puffy, but his legs and face look terrific. In fact, there is less discoloration in Mark's lower legs than I've seen since before his liver transplant. And, the nurse shaved him, so he looked so nice and clean, you'd swear he was just taking a nap - if it weren't for all of the lines and tubes.
Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes - obviously, they are working very well. I'll be heading back to the hospital in a few hours and will let you know how he's doing.
God Bless all of you.
If you remember, his lungs were not functioning well and the doctors put him in a special bed which kept him on his stomach and rotated him periodically through a 3 hour period. For 1 hour out of every 4, he was placed on his back, which he didn't tolerate very well. Mark was attached to a complex ventilation system that strictly regulated in inhalations and exhalations, and was receiving 85% of his oxygen from the machine. The normal breathing rhythm is an exhalation that is longer than the inhalation. As Mark didn't tolerate that well, either, the ventilation system shortened the length of his exhalations.
The liquid diet that Mark receives was contributing to the congestion in his lungs and the fluid retention in his extremities, so the feedings were limited. He was on diuretics, pain medication, insulin, and medication to paralyze his muscles. Due to direct contact with the plastic cover on the bed, the heat generated by the mechanics of the bed, and lack of ventilation to his skin, Mark developed a rash on his chest and arms. The nurses were concerned that he was experiencing damage to his skin. I recommended that they place sheets between his body and the bed, because his skin is so sensitive.
This was all on Monday. However, when I walked into SICU on Wednesday, Mark was back in a regular bed, on a regular ventilator, receiving 50% of his oxygen from the machine. The doctors had stopped the diuretics and paralytic medication, and added protein to his feeding regimen. His skin looks perfectly normal and several times, while I was there, Mark moved his mouth and eyes as though he could hear the conversation around him and wanted to answer. One of the nurses noticed an odd sound coming from his throat and thought, perhaps, that he was trying to cough. I had to laugh, with joy, Mark was softly snoring!
There is very little swelling in his extremities - his hands are both quite puffy, but his legs and face look terrific. In fact, there is less discoloration in Mark's lower legs than I've seen since before his liver transplant. And, the nurse shaved him, so he looked so nice and clean, you'd swear he was just taking a nap - if it weren't for all of the lines and tubes.
Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes - obviously, they are working very well. I'll be heading back to the hospital in a few hours and will let you know how he's doing.
God Bless all of you.
Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
posted by JMarkAfghans @ 3:38 AM
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