DgtofTNfan
Senior member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2009
- Messages
- 566
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- KY
- City
- Louisville
My Dad was admitted to the hospital last Wed night. He had a coughing spell that caused him to vomit and he apparently aspirated at the time. He had a fever within 2 hrs of the episode. We called the doc and he said to send him to the ER. The chest X-ray indicated early pneumonia. The doc noted that this would be easy for the average person to manage but for PALS any pneumonia is severe.
After 2 nights in ICU with treatment for pneumonia, his temp went down and color came back and he was moved to a step down unit. He looked good and we were working toward getting him stronger to come home. His voice was even much improved. Yesterday however, he looked uncomfortable and was unable to be weaned from 5 Liters of oxygen. He is essentially on this peak of potential to recover or potential to decline. This has thrown us all for a loop as his FVC was 51% just a couple of weeks ago.
As a family, we have been talking about what Dad's wishes are in regards to a trach and ventilator. He is agreeable to a trach if it is appropriate for aggressive pulmonary hygiene. He would be agreeable to a ventilator if it was short term but the docs have said that if he is put on a ventilator, it is unlikely he will be able to come off. Dad made his final decision and he does not wish to be ventilator dependent. He plans to tell the doctors today.
I am very hopeful that we caught the pneumonia early and with continued aggressive treatment he will beat this episode and come home. Prior to this episode, he was doing so well considering his ALS. This is happening too fast.
Dad is so strong. He continues to amaze me. He still has his sense of humor. When the well of emotion gets too deep he throws out some comical shrug, funny face or word that makes us all giggle. I know that as difficult as this is that I have so much of him inside my heart that he will always be with me.
Please send some virtual deep breathing and strong cough vibes Dad's way. If your inclined to prayer, those would also be welcomed.
Thanks for listening.
Dana
After 2 nights in ICU with treatment for pneumonia, his temp went down and color came back and he was moved to a step down unit. He looked good and we were working toward getting him stronger to come home. His voice was even much improved. Yesterday however, he looked uncomfortable and was unable to be weaned from 5 Liters of oxygen. He is essentially on this peak of potential to recover or potential to decline. This has thrown us all for a loop as his FVC was 51% just a couple of weeks ago.
As a family, we have been talking about what Dad's wishes are in regards to a trach and ventilator. He is agreeable to a trach if it is appropriate for aggressive pulmonary hygiene. He would be agreeable to a ventilator if it was short term but the docs have said that if he is put on a ventilator, it is unlikely he will be able to come off. Dad made his final decision and he does not wish to be ventilator dependent. He plans to tell the doctors today.
I am very hopeful that we caught the pneumonia early and with continued aggressive treatment he will beat this episode and come home. Prior to this episode, he was doing so well considering his ALS. This is happening too fast.
Dad is so strong. He continues to amaze me. He still has his sense of humor. When the well of emotion gets too deep he throws out some comical shrug, funny face or word that makes us all giggle. I know that as difficult as this is that I have so much of him inside my heart that he will always be with me.
Please send some virtual deep breathing and strong cough vibes Dad's way. If your inclined to prayer, those would also be welcomed.
Thanks for listening.
Dana
