Just a quick update…Scott is still in the SICU. We are hoping for a release back to rehab early this week. Unfortunately, we’ve been told that eating/drinking will likely be restricted for at least a couple weeks. This is because the doctors aren’t quite sure why we had this most recent event. The theory is that when Scott eats/drinks he produces not only saliva and digestive secretions but also lung secretions. The doctors are choosing to stay on the conservative side until we sort out the cause of the surplus of secretions.
Currently the right bottom lobe of Scotts lung is collapsed. The doctors are going to give him a few days of noninvasive treatment to re-inflatethe lung. Part of this treatment is that Scotts trach cuff will have to remain inflated so we will have to do more lip reading for a bit longer. If by mid to late week Scotts lobe is still collapsed they will go back in to do another bronch to attempt to see what is causes the collapse. On a positive note, we’ve been told that his lower lobes are free from pneumonia. The organisms that they found appear to be only in the area around the trach which is an normal occurrence.
Scott has pretty much slept since Thursday. He is exhausted as to be expected. His chest hurts him from compressions from CPR. His body has pretty much had everything drained from it so he is catching up on some long lost rest.
Another new change is that Scott is beginning to get some random leg movement. It seems that when his legs are softly touched they move and he gets an “electrical feeling” jolt high in his chest. Seemingly a firm touch does not cause the same reaction. We told the doctor about this and he says that essentially this just shows that the nerve that senses feeling in Scotts lower extremity is still alive. The problem is that because of the injury the brain can’t register where the sensation stems from so it picks up the feeling and the brain guesses it is coming from an area Scotts brain does register. The fact that his legs move and he feels this jolt is a good thing for muscle tone. This does not mean that Scott is moving his legs on his own or that he ever will but it does help with reducing blood clots.
Bottom line is that we are surviving. We are all putting our boots on every morning. It’s not easy and frankly it’s the pits. I know that it’s good that they are now more aware that something is going on with Scotts lungs but it’s hard not to feel frustrated for him. I told Scott to keep his eyes on road ahead and not to focus on the rear view mirror. I think this is good advice I need to be giving myself! Please continue the prayers. We desperately need them.