stand4hope Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Don had a rough day today. Every time they move him, his respiratory rate goes up, O2 goes down and heart rate skyrockets. He was having fast heart rate problems all afternoon from 145 to 180 (tachycardia). They didn’t want to give him medicine to bring it down because his blood pressure is also dipping quite low (70/45). Every time it would happen, they would increase his fluids and he would stable out with a heart rate of about 113-120. In addition, the pulmonary doc told me that whatever is causing this alveolitis is really doing a number on his lungs and he is probably going to be on the ventilator for quite a while - at least a week. I lost it when he told me that. It broke my heart and was very hard to hear. They tried to remove the ventilator this morning but the bottom fell out on everything and they had to put it back on. They were going to try to decrease the settings and support during the day, but they had to do the exact opposite and increased everything. The vent is giving him 60% O2 and 20 bpm. They are hoping to get results tomorrow or Saturday, and if not, I expect they will be calling periodically to get verbal results so that we can hopefully have a better idea what we’re dealing with. I left to come home and get a bath and go back up for the evening visiting hours, but they asked me to tell family no visitors - except me and Mike and that we had to be very quiet and not stimulate him in any way. They have turned the lights down low and want the room quiet to keep him stable and for him to have as little stimulation as possible. They didn’t even want me to tell him that I was leaving and said they would tell him the next time they had to go in and do something for him and they would tell him I was coming back tonight. I can't hide it. I'm devastated. Just trying to keep my head up, the tears back and do the things I've got to do. I'm hanging in there, but it’s getting a lot tougher. Mike is not taking any of this well at all. I gave him money to buy tickets to all the Brickyard 400 events, including the race, to keep him busy and his mind on other things. He hasn’t been up to see his dad since the ventilator because he has bad memories of his Papaw, and he just can’t handle it. It’s tough on all of us, but for some reason, Mike has never acquired very good coping skills and deals with these things with intense emotion, and anger. Please ask God to give Mike peace. Love to all, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terriep Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy, I am sending up those prayers right now for peace for Mike, and blessings on you all. I can't even imagine how tough this must be right now, but know that I am praying as hard as I can that God will wrap his arms around you and hold you extra close. Love, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annjael Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Prayers, prayers and more prayers for Don and for you and Mike. Peace, Annjael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Oh Peggy, We love you so much and Don and Mike, too. We are going to pray for you guys so hard tonight. We only wish we could be there with you. But our thoughts are there and our hearts. Honey, Go ahead and cry, and know we are here to dry the tears and all of us care so much. Extra prayers for Mike. Love Love Love P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Oh Peggy, Praying as you requested. Don't know what else to say. This disease sucks! We are with you...and Don...and Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finster Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Sorry to hear this news. I'll be praying extra hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie221 Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I am so sorry to hear things are so rough for Don, you, and Mike. You must be just exhausted from the coming and going, the being strong for Don and Mike, and just the awful helplessness that goes with having someone you love in danger. Crying doesn't mean you've lost hope - it means you're a very normal. loving human being who can only handle so much before the dam breaks. But you will rebuild the dam and find a second wind for Mike and Don. When I was dx I was knocked out and had a ventilator breathing for me 100%; they told my husband there was only a 5% chance I'd ever get off the ventilator at all. But here I am 7 months later and you'd never know from looking at me that I was ever sick! Hang in there. Here's a quote I found that somehow soothes me when I feel small and helpless and doomed: Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow, grow.' ------The Talmud Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbays Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I'm so sorry. I am sending prayers your way. God Bless you both, Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Prayers for Peggy, Don and Mike. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggiesmom Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I so pray for you and Don and Mike. May He give you strength and hope for peace. Love you all so much. Hugs to you all now ((())) Joanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynneH Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy, I remember the days in the hospital being so emotional because things have usually gone awry temporarily, or you wouldn't be there. I know your body must feel every minute like it is a day long. I remember posting something I heard about crying. When your heart gets full of tears, life has a way of triggering a good cry so your heavy heart can feel a little lighter for a while. It's hard to carry around a big heart and even harder when it weighs alot with extra tears. Cry and help it lighten your load. Remember to eat and nap when you can. Lynne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I'm so sorry to hear this, I will be saying extra prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I'm sorry Peggy...this has to be so hard for you. I hope it's a better day tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Oh Peggy... I'm so sorry you guys are going through this. I'll be holding you all in prayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy I'm so sorry that your family is going through such a difficult time. Many prayers being sent for Don, Mike and you. Gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinaresholz Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Prayers for you and your family! Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy. We care. We pray. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy, Don, & Mike, Prayers Coming!!! Love and Prayers, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Oh Peggy, it is tomorrow and may it be a much better day. It will be one day closer to getting your honey home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I'm so sorry you guys are struggling so right now. your words about Mike went straight to my heart, and I am praying for him, one scared kid to another. I pray for your strength and Don's healing, as well. I like what Lynne said about tears. I've also heard them referred to as "liquid prayers". love to all of you, xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy, I am so sorry that things aren't going so well right now. I certainly will be thinking of you and keeping you, Don and Mike in my prayers. It really does sound as if Don is getting very good care. I know this is very hard for you but just keep reminding yourself how strong you really are. It's very hard on you right now, as you have to be strong for Don, Mike and then dig deep enough to muster up some strength for yourself. My youngest son was very much like Mike. He simply couldn't bear to see his father be in such pain and watch him go downhill. It was very hard to get him around his dad for long periods of time and I truly understood his pain. Our children always look up to their dads as being "bigger than life" and think they are invinceable. When something like this happens, they don't deal well...especially the boys! I just pray that things will get better for Don with each passing day!!! I'm here for you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Hi Peggy, I hope today being a new day is a better day for your Don. I pray for progress in his breathing to improve. This is a very difficult reply for me as Iam just so burden by all Don, you and Mike are going through. You are all so scared. I feel so helpless that I cannot do anything to lighten this heavy load that you are all carrying. This is so hard, Peggy Iam so sorry but confident things will change for Don. I hope today is the day and there is some encourageing news. I have a candle lit for Don and will send prayers out to you son, Mike. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy,it's Friday morning here in western Pa. The only thing I'm asking God to do today is help you and Don and Mike.You guys are really due for a break for the better. Keep hanging in there my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetg Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Hoping that today is a much better day for all of you. Prayers are being sent. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Peggy, So sorry Don had a bad day. Hoping today is better and praying for you, Don and Mike. TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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