Monday

Dorothea had dialysis this morning, removing 1.0 liters of fluid. They attempted to get her off of the ventilator today, but was unsuccessful. I will relay the story the best I can... hopefully I will get it all right.(I was not there when this happened)

In order to make the change the respirator tech needed to deflate the cuff around the tracheotomy tube. When she did this, some bloody yukky stuff (do you like my medical terminology?) went down into her lungs. This made her cough, trying to dispel this yukky stuff. She was able to get some of it out through the trachea tube. It sounds like this was a traumatic event, and apparently she felt nauseated and I imagine she was a little panicky too. So, they quickly put her back on the vent.

Harold thinks that they need to have her sat up at a higher degree (45 degrees), and he is also going to request that they turn off the tube feeding shortly before making the switch also, so that her stomach will be clear.

Harold is a little frustrated with the lack of mouth care that is being given to Dorothea, so he talked with the Director this morning - he also found a hospital employee that was willing to share some supplies with him so that he can take care of her mouth when needed. This is all so frustrating. We want her to be taken care of like we would take care of her - 24/7. Unfortunately, that is not possible when each nurse has multiple patients and each person who comes in to see her is coming in for their specific area only.

Harold is a GREAT advocate for Dorothea. I am so thankful and so proud that he is willing and able to be at the hospital virtually all day, every day, to make sure to communicate with the staff and keep her safe and well.

PT and OT came in to see her today. PT worked her legs. Harold said that by the time OT came in to work with Dorothea's arms she was not interested in participating after everything else that had gone on today - so she wanted them to come back another day. She was in good spirits when I visited this evening.