The Progeny
Update
I am now communicating from a very flickery computer in the CCU wing. Hope I don't go blind.
Loren has just been transferred to the Critical Care Unit, room 730, but they will be moving him to another when one opens up. He has been transferred for the following reasons:
1) to moniter him while adjusting his meds
- He is being changed back to Sotolol from Mexiletine. When antiarrhythmias are altered, they like to watch patients, since the rhythm can be whacky for a few days.
-They've decided to put in the PIK line as well. (see previous post) The docs always talked about Milrinone before, but now they are talking Dobutamine. Same basic thing. Heart failure drug in continuous IV.
2) tomorrow Loren will have an EP (electrophysiology) study. They will take him in the lab, check on all his leads and hardware and stuff. And EP study always involves deliberately starting a bad rhythm to test the device's ability to stop it.
The docs are giving him a new "can" or defibrillator device, one with the capacity to shock up to 35 joules. They feel this additional power will enhance Loren's safety. They had wanted to do the test today, but didn't have the new device in hospital. Plans are for tomorrow, but as we've learned, they can always change.
The mexilitine is being discontinued because it raises the threshold of the shock needed to bring someone back. It has worked well in eliminating PVC's, at least it did for a while, but when a shock is needed, MORE shock is necessary. (if I had more time, I'd try to make this less hazy)
The transplant docs wanted the PIK line in before the EP study tomorrow. And the PIK line raises Loren's transplant status to 1b. He could be transplanted in a matter of months, or less. Everything seems to be happening so fast! But thank the Lord He is in control, even though we are ignorant and not always as faithful as we should be. I want to say how very much we appreciate everyone's prayers.
The EP docs want to try to reconfigure Loren's setup with as little disturbance as possible. If they can change the electrical pathway to one more optimal without removing leads and such, they will. But, they might just have to take everything out and put it in anew, in his shoulder. Just have to wait and see.
This morning we were told the test would be today, so Loren was not allowed to eat. But then plans were changed. He celebrated with a hamburger, green beans and chocolate ice cream. Does this guy know how to live it up, or what?
I do not think they will allow me to stay in a CCU room overnight, and, in truth, I would get even less sleep than in a regular room. Bloodwork at 3-4 in the morning, weighing at 5:30, adjustments of the heparine drip he is on, pills to take at different times, doctors starting their rounds at 7am promptly. As you've all heard, a hospital is no place to rest.
I plan to return home sometime tomorrow after the EP study. Jason and Kendra are scheduled to take the PSAT test on Wednesday. Jason for real, Kendra for practice. I need some time to be with the kids, kiss and hug and scold them a little. After that we shall see. I suspect Loren will be in here a week or two. They have to be certain he is protected from cardiac arrest before going home. Arrhrthmias are one of the potential side effects of the IV drug.
I should go and check my email, check on Loren, and maybe, just MAYBE work in a nice, long stress-reducing walk. Followed by a little chocolate, naturally.
And to think, we had just refilled his Mexiletine prescription.
Tweet
Loren has just been transferred to the Critical Care Unit, room 730, but they will be moving him to another when one opens up. He has been transferred for the following reasons:
1) to moniter him while adjusting his meds
- He is being changed back to Sotolol from Mexiletine. When antiarrhythmias are altered, they like to watch patients, since the rhythm can be whacky for a few days.
-They've decided to put in the PIK line as well. (see previous post) The docs always talked about Milrinone before, but now they are talking Dobutamine. Same basic thing. Heart failure drug in continuous IV.
2) tomorrow Loren will have an EP (electrophysiology) study. They will take him in the lab, check on all his leads and hardware and stuff. And EP study always involves deliberately starting a bad rhythm to test the device's ability to stop it.
The docs are giving him a new "can" or defibrillator device, one with the capacity to shock up to 35 joules. They feel this additional power will enhance Loren's safety. They had wanted to do the test today, but didn't have the new device in hospital. Plans are for tomorrow, but as we've learned, they can always change.
The mexilitine is being discontinued because it raises the threshold of the shock needed to bring someone back. It has worked well in eliminating PVC's, at least it did for a while, but when a shock is needed, MORE shock is necessary. (if I had more time, I'd try to make this less hazy)
The transplant docs wanted the PIK line in before the EP study tomorrow. And the PIK line raises Loren's transplant status to 1b. He could be transplanted in a matter of months, or less. Everything seems to be happening so fast! But thank the Lord He is in control, even though we are ignorant and not always as faithful as we should be. I want to say how very much we appreciate everyone's prayers.
The EP docs want to try to reconfigure Loren's setup with as little disturbance as possible. If they can change the electrical pathway to one more optimal without removing leads and such, they will. But, they might just have to take everything out and put it in anew, in his shoulder. Just have to wait and see.
This morning we were told the test would be today, so Loren was not allowed to eat. But then plans were changed. He celebrated with a hamburger, green beans and chocolate ice cream. Does this guy know how to live it up, or what?
I do not think they will allow me to stay in a CCU room overnight, and, in truth, I would get even less sleep than in a regular room. Bloodwork at 3-4 in the morning, weighing at 5:30, adjustments of the heparine drip he is on, pills to take at different times, doctors starting their rounds at 7am promptly. As you've all heard, a hospital is no place to rest.
I plan to return home sometime tomorrow after the EP study. Jason and Kendra are scheduled to take the PSAT test on Wednesday. Jason for real, Kendra for practice. I need some time to be with the kids, kiss and hug and scold them a little. After that we shall see. I suspect Loren will be in here a week or two. They have to be certain he is protected from cardiac arrest before going home. Arrhrthmias are one of the potential side effects of the IV drug.
I should go and check my email, check on Loren, and maybe, just MAYBE work in a nice, long stress-reducing walk. Followed by a little chocolate, naturally.
And to think, we had just refilled his Mexiletine prescription.
Tweet
posted by Ma Hoyt | 2:48 PM
7 Comments:
Our prayers are with you, and so is God.
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Thanks for the update even though they are hard to explain as well as find time to write. We are continuing to pray. Remember "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sin and griefs to bare, What a priveledge to carry, everything to him in prayer! Oh what peace we often forfet, Oh what needles pain we bare, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Praying for you and your family. I promise that Ardith is surrounded by loving friends who are supporting her.
And I hope Jason does well on the PSAT. I owe a lot to that little exam.
Wilson
(having trouble commenting on my own blog-I'll try again)
I had to leave the room for a while since the PICC nurse came to put in the PICC line. Yes, I was definitely spelling it wrong. Maybe I'll straighten this all out after I get my hands on the explanatory pamphlet.
It means SO much to me to read your supportive comments and to know you are praying. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.
Well Becky....We had a truely delightful evening with your children tonight. We celebrated John's birthday with a lasagna dinner and Boston Cream Pie. Which isn't really a pie but a gooey cake. The kids played outside in the dark for a little while :-). John took them home so they had plenty of time to get ready for bed! Hope you can find a comfortable place to rest your weary body tonight. You are in my thoughts and prayers a good part of the day. It is only the Lord's strength that will give you the sustanance you need.
Deb
Deb, thanks for giving the kids a break from everything. I am very sure they enjoyed themselves. Now you probably need a day off to rest up from my kids.
Really, though, I didn't know it was Pastor's birthday. To think he came up to visit and never mentioned a word! I'm sure the nurses would have let me have some gauze and fixin's to hang from the ceiling for a real festive touch.
(let's see, Pastor John, I think this makes you 57, doesn't it?" tee hee :-)
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