Thursday, January 15, 2009

Quiet Waiting

I am sitting in the ICU waiting room and it is 2:30 a.m. The hospital is quiet and I wait. At 11 p.m., Dad was feeling the best he'd felt since the operation took place and he was cheerful as he drifted off to sleep. At each moan or sigh, I got up to reassure myself he breathed. At 12:30, a moan made me ask what was wrong, and he said he was terribly cold. His wheezing made me push the nurse button repeatedly, then run to the hall for the nurse who said he'd be right there. When I returned to Dad, I could see it was an emergency, and my demands for immediate assistance resulted in nine nurses and pulmonary therapists in the room. His oxygen had dropped to 75, dangerously low. A mouth breather with dentures, he evidently was not absorbing the gas that was tubed to his nose.

Because the medicines were not working, he has been moved to ICU and awaits a CAT scan. They have put him on a ventilator and await the results of the CAT to see if he has pneumonia or a blood clot. Today was so good, it is hard to see it change so very quickly. Soon, they'll take me to see him, but until then, I wait. Teresa, my sister is on her way - as a nurse she'll understand all this better than I do. If it can be understood.

Please pray that he is not in pain or scared, and if it is God's will, that he gets better.

10 comments:

Sepiru Chris said...

Junosmom,

I had not seen this when I left my last posting. Your Dad and you are in my thoughts. Take care of yourself as you take care of your Dad.

All the best,
Chris

debra said...

Oh, Junosmom, i have been there, and my heart is with you now. Know that you are in my thoughts. Be good to yourself as you care for those around you.

Kristen Painter said...

Prayers for your family!

camflock said...

Cathy,

My cell is on all day, call me with anything. I can rearrange my whole day at the drop of a hat to help.

Praying.........
C

David Cranmer said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Kristina said...

Hopefully, they'll find out what's wrong SOON. I'm glad you can be there with him.

Anonymous said...

Too bad he is a mouth breather and didn't get the oxygen thru his nose. Have they fitted him with an oxygen mask now?

I hope he pulls thru this crisis!

pita-woman said...

Sending your dad & the rest of the family good thoughts. Keep us posted. And remember, I'm right up the street if you need anything!

chuckmccky said...

My prayers are with you!

Unknown said...

Please know that the family is praying, me, Jeff, Jon and families. Also have my church and other friends praying.

Love and prayers, Robin

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