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Nov. 18th, 2007 06:47 pmAn update on my step-father-in-law, via email from my MIL
Ed had spent the day, for the first time, without the sedation meds. He got agitated only when they tried to suction the mucus out of his throat and when they tried to give him a bath (bed bath). Otherwise, he responded to simple commands and slept. He is breathing "over" the ventilator, which means that the ventilator is just doing part of the job, but is there if he needs it.
Unfortunately, there have been a couple of episodes today where Ed's inter cranial pressure shot up. So, we still have to get past that before he is moved out of the ICU. Still, this is the first time that he has tolerated the lack of sedation for any prolonged period of time. The nurse said that he made no attempt to speak at any time and that he was probably unaware of where he was or how he got there. This is a blessing. Otherwise, he would be trying to pull his breathing tube out. The return to being fully awake and aware will come slowly.
The speech center is located in the left side of the brain, and since the blood clot and surgery occurred in that vicinity, aphasia may be one of the disabilities Ed faces. The right side of his body (leg and arm) are apt to be affected also, as the left side of the brain also controls the right side of the body. The left leg and arm have some mobility and as far as we can tell are not affected.
Ed had spent the day, for the first time, without the sedation meds. He got agitated only when they tried to suction the mucus out of his throat and when they tried to give him a bath (bed bath). Otherwise, he responded to simple commands and slept. He is breathing "over" the ventilator, which means that the ventilator is just doing part of the job, but is there if he needs it.
Unfortunately, there have been a couple of episodes today where Ed's inter cranial pressure shot up. So, we still have to get past that before he is moved out of the ICU. Still, this is the first time that he has tolerated the lack of sedation for any prolonged period of time. The nurse said that he made no attempt to speak at any time and that he was probably unaware of where he was or how he got there. This is a blessing. Otherwise, he would be trying to pull his breathing tube out. The return to being fully awake and aware will come slowly.
The speech center is located in the left side of the brain, and since the blood clot and surgery occurred in that vicinity, aphasia may be one of the disabilities Ed faces. The right side of his body (leg and arm) are apt to be affected also, as the left side of the brain also controls the right side of the body. The left leg and arm have some mobility and as far as we can tell are not affected.