Hey there, all. Doctors just came by today (actually several of the residents stop by, but our main transplant doctor just visited), seems like they have had a busy day. John is doing okay, feeling pretty bloated and "full" so they are going to try some diuretics tomorrow. They did some extra blood work to check his iron levels, and he is getting anemic. No big surprise, since they drain him regularly. Makes him very trendy I suppose, with all of the interest in the Twilight series of books and the attention to vampires. Not sure what the plan will be to remedy the anemia, but for now they are not doing anything in particular.
Also saw the dietician today, since he has been here for a while he gets some special dinners starting later this week. They are still supposed to be low sodium, but a change from the same old stuff he's been getting. I'm not sure why it works that way, it's not like we're going to boycott the food here but at least it is something that might be more appealing to him. We have a stash of our own low sodium foods here that we use sometimes, since his food choices here are pretty limited, so we will see how his new and improved menu goes later this week.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 29
John had another good night, and got some decent sleep which was great. Doctors have already come by today and things are pretty much the same. They haven't given him diuretics for several days now, so his electrolyte levels have stayed more stable which is good. They are basically trying to give his kidneys a break while keeping his heart working well. The increased IV medicines make his heart pump blood better to his kidneys, so he doesn't retain as much fluid so he doesn't need as many diuretics. So it is a tradeoff to find the right balance between the higher levels of the IV medicine and the side effects of that with it making his heart beat stronger.
We still don't know the long term plan, and probably there isn't one. Over the next few days they will either replace the Swan catheter in his neck with another one, or they will remove it. They have to change them out because of the chance of infection, but since his pressures are so good they may decide that he doesn't need it.
He's already ridden the bike this morning, and now we are gearing up for another day of watching games on tv. At least there are some good basketball games on which is vaguely entertaining. We have some movies to watch too, so we manage to make the time pass.
We still don't know the long term plan, and probably there isn't one. Over the next few days they will either replace the Swan catheter in his neck with another one, or they will remove it. They have to change them out because of the chance of infection, but since his pressures are so good they may decide that he doesn't need it.
He's already ridden the bike this morning, and now we are gearing up for another day of watching games on tv. At least there are some good basketball games on which is vaguely entertaining. We have some movies to watch too, so we manage to make the time pass.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday, March 27
Sorry this is a bit late today, had some Internet connection troubles that slowed things down. Another pretty quiet day, they did not give John any diuretics today so his potassium and other electrolyte levels should stay better in line. He is riding the bike as we speak, which is great for keeping the blood flow to his legs better to decrease the chance of clots. Since he is listed as 1A, they don't give him any blood thinners like they normally would so it is important that he keeps his legs moving. Guess riding the bike is a good alternative to the shots in his belly that they were giving him the last time around. His blood pressure was very low again last night, but today it has been better so he has felt a bit better.
The waiting around part is very hard to do, not knowing when any of this will happen. We appreciate the comments here on the blog, the cards you have sent, emails sent, and we know there are many prayers and good wishes that we never know are being sent out but we thank you anyway.
The waiting around part is very hard to do, not knowing when any of this will happen. We appreciate the comments here on the blog, the cards you have sent, emails sent, and we know there are many prayers and good wishes that we never know are being sent out but we thank you anyway.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 26
John had another pretty good night, which is always good news. They have increased the amount of the main IV medicine and his heart seems to think that is a very good thing. The medicine works by making his heart pump stronger, which means his need for diuretics goes down and that will help keep his electrolyte levels more stable. The main issue is that it will tend to "burn out" his heart more quickly, so it is not a perfect fix.
The physical therapist finally ventured back in, but has decided that he can ride the bike on his own just fine. He had already been doing that a few times, for short periods, so a truce seems to have been called. I guess most of their patients are not nearly so self-motivated, and they are used to urging folks on rather than slowing them down.
They have given him diuretics again today, so we will see how the afternoon goes. The doctors and nurses are very good about drawing blood and checking his levels when we feel they need to, probably because every time we have requested it he has needed potassium or something else. Most patients are not nearly as aware as he is about how he feels, and how his body responds to medicines, so they have been very supportive about listening to him.
Thanks for all of your support!
The physical therapist finally ventured back in, but has decided that he can ride the bike on his own just fine. He had already been doing that a few times, for short periods, so a truce seems to have been called. I guess most of their patients are not nearly so self-motivated, and they are used to urging folks on rather than slowing them down.
They have given him diuretics again today, so we will see how the afternoon goes. The doctors and nurses are very good about drawing blood and checking his levels when we feel they need to, probably because every time we have requested it he has needed potassium or something else. Most patients are not nearly as aware as he is about how he feels, and how his body responds to medicines, so they have been very supportive about listening to him.
Thanks for all of your support!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 25
Things are going okay today, they gave John diuretics which often make him feel bad due to losing the fluid. Right now he is feeling a bit puny and they are drawing blood to do more tests. It is very difficult to get his levels right, since every change in medicine tends to have a pretty large impact and causes kind of a snowball effect. They try to find a balance between his heart function, his kidney function, and all of his blood levels being as close to "normal" as possible.
We appreciate the posts and John has enjoyed hearing your comments and good wishes.
We appreciate the posts and John has enjoyed hearing your comments and good wishes.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 24
The good news is that John had a pretty good night. Blood pressure still a bit low, but better than the last day or so. He got some sleep which was well needed. The physical therapy folks even brought a bike in here yesterday, and they are going to come in each day and have him ride for a few minutes to keep up the muscle strength in his legs. When the therapist criticized his posture on the bike, and didn't like the way he was doing a few other things, he reminded her that it was a bit difficult to do with a tube hanging out of his neck and enough tape on there to hold everything in place so nothing falls out that shouldn't. I can't wait until later today when they get together again.
The doctor's goal for the moment is to get his medicines regulated so that his heart rhythms stay good, his fluid levels stay good, and his blood pressure stays up. She said she would like for him to go 2 days in a row with no medicine changes, and that would be great progress. We really do have a wonderful team of doctors, and the nurses have been great too. We see all of the doctors on the transplant team, depending in who is the attending physician that week, so even though we have lots of doctors they are all on the same page when it comes to his care.
We want to thank all of you again for your prayers and good wishes, they are much appreciated by all of us.
The doctor's goal for the moment is to get his medicines regulated so that his heart rhythms stay good, his fluid levels stay good, and his blood pressure stays up. She said she would like for him to go 2 days in a row with no medicine changes, and that would be great progress. We really do have a wonderful team of doctors, and the nurses have been great too. We see all of the doctors on the transplant team, depending in who is the attending physician that week, so even though we have lots of doctors they are all on the same page when it comes to his care.
We want to thank all of you again for your prayers and good wishes, they are much appreciated by all of us.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 23
Good morning, all. Had a bit of a rough night last night, John's blood pressure was pretty low, around 75/45 for much of the night. But he is feeling better this morning and they are tweaking medicines yet again to see if they can find that right balance. Between all of the nurses, doctors, xrays, medicines, bloodwork, and lots of "how are you feeling?" through the night, we didn't get a whole lot of sleep. Have already seen some doctors this morning, and we are waiting for the main crowd of them to come through any time now. Don't expect anything new, but we'll let you know.
Several folks have asked for the address here at the hospital, which is:
John Braden - Room G407
Emory University Hospital
1364 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30312
Several folks have asked for the address here at the hospital, which is:
John Braden - Room G407
Emory University Hospital
1364 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30312
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Hey all! First, thanks to Nicole for getting this set up for me. I'm sure she and Trevor will make it look better, but John and I will provide information and updates on his condition.
As you are aware, John is in Emory waiting for a heart transplant. Right now he is in CCU, because on Friday they did a right heart catheterization to check the pressures in his heart and lungs. Although they are borderline, they are on the "good" side of borderline, which in reality is not so great as far as his priority listing for getting a new heart. But the doctors feel he should be on the highest priority list, which is 1A, so they are trying to keep him there. He has what is called a Swan catheter still in the jugular vein in his neck, which attaches via about a dozen wires and tubes to a machine that monitors how well his heart is pumping and getting oxygen from his lungs. Between that and the other heart monitors, oxygen monitors, blood pressure cuff, and who knows what else, his mobility is pretty drastically limited.
We appreciate all of the prayers, cards, and good wishes that have been sent our way. It all means so much that so many people care. Keep the prayers going, and we'll try to keep you updated.
As you are aware, John is in Emory waiting for a heart transplant. Right now he is in CCU, because on Friday they did a right heart catheterization to check the pressures in his heart and lungs. Although they are borderline, they are on the "good" side of borderline, which in reality is not so great as far as his priority listing for getting a new heart. But the doctors feel he should be on the highest priority list, which is 1A, so they are trying to keep him there. He has what is called a Swan catheter still in the jugular vein in his neck, which attaches via about a dozen wires and tubes to a machine that monitors how well his heart is pumping and getting oxygen from his lungs. Between that and the other heart monitors, oxygen monitors, blood pressure cuff, and who knows what else, his mobility is pretty drastically limited.
We appreciate all of the prayers, cards, and good wishes that have been sent our way. It all means so much that so many people care. Keep the prayers going, and we'll try to keep you updated.
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