Thursday, June 18, 2009

Day 383 - Jun 18, 2009

Kevin is suffering a lot tonight. They tell me the surgery went well, but all I see is this huge dressing stitched to his face and now his eye is stitched shut with a bolster (not a ballast, I knew that wasn't right but couldn't think of the right word) too.

They did put a feeding tube in him as well, but it got curled in his stomach and after trying to reposition it a few times, they took it out and will do mild sedation tomorrow and put it back in. In the meantime, he is hooked up to an IV so that he doesn't dehydrate.

And I haven't broken the news to him that these dressings need to stay on for 7 days. Man, he is not going to like that.

I am actually a little worried tonight too because his vitals are through the roof. I have never seen his blood pressure so high and his heart rate is pretty elevated too. They did medicate him for the blood pressure, so hopefully it works and it comes down soon. He also has a mild fever - not quite a hundred, but it still worries me.

And now I am going to call it an early night. My little cot doesn't offer even remotely any form of luxurious sleep, but it's still calling my name.

6 comments:

Jessica said...

Aww, that poor guy! I just feel so bad for him that he has to go through this after everything else he's gone through. You're right; it's just not fair and plain sucks.

I'll be sending up extra prayers for Kevin tonight, for his pain and that his blood pressure and heart rate will get back to normal. Also for protection against infection and complications. I'll be thinking of you both.

Long-time RN said...

Oh gosh, Leslie. Honestly, some sedation may be helpful for Kevin as well. Sounds like recovery may be bumpy. Lots of prayers for Kevin. Take care of yourself while continuing to be the wonderful advocate you are for your son.

LISA said...

Leslie,

Sounds like this time around it's a lot trickier than expected. Just watch him closely and act immediately when something is not as it should be with Kevin. You see what the doctors don't, as you "see" with your Mother's intuition and no one knows Kevin better than you do. I agree not to let the pain get out of hand.

I just read too much in the news lately.

He's come so far to be going through this horror right now. I am so sorry..him for the pain and problems and you for having to endure and watch your son suffer so, yet again.

It sure is a good thing Kevin was a little piggy and loved to eat so much before he went to the hospital. This will only benefit him now, as he didn't go into this surgery sickly. He went in with the ability to eat and eat well.

Just thinking like a Mother and an advocate, as all of us who have at one time or another been in the "caregiving" seat. It's a very very hard job.

The pay we receive is watching our loved one do better than most would do.. without having our heart, our voice and our hand there to care for them.

There are SO MANY in your position of no job, no benefits, no military backing, absolutely NOTHING and we do it because it is born in us to care and protect our loved ones. We've walked into this position with never a thought of pay, but because of who we are deep inside, has brought us there. I cannot speak highly enough of the people who give up everything to take on the role. We go in it with our eyes open. It is a very demanding and most difficult job.

Caregivers are only now starting to be recognized, where as before some people lost everything caring for a loved one by making the choice to do so. Look at the books now being written, many articles and the special reports now on TV about caregivers. As mentioned in one of your previous blog posts by a reader "what happens to the people who don't have a YOU" and have to endure this alone ? I, for one, have witnessed what happens and it isn't a pretty picture. Each time our loved one was hospitalized, we were there 24 / 7 and we helped MANY patients who had not a soul around who appeared to even care about them. We've watched them cry out for help and been too weak to even find a buzzer to push to call for a nurse. It is very sad. The hospitals are just understaffed and truly, at least with what we've witnessed, this just gets to be routine with the staff, as they have so many patients in need. Nurses are good..don't get me wrong, but you just see too much when you're permitted to be there 24 / 7. We are most definitely needed to be there with our loved one.. that's for sure. Kevin would not be where he is today without you ( and the relief position of Brianna ). You both deserve much praise.

God be with you both, but especially Kevin and help the healing process go quickly with no more issues. You both need to get back home, yet confident that when he does leave the hospital, he is well enough to do so.

Home is where the heart is, the healing continues and the happiness begins.

God Bless you both.

Anonymous said...

We are all praying for you guys and that Kevin will feel better soon!!!
Hugs from El Paso,
Tina Dwyer

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you are all going through this. With vitals going high doesn't that sometimes mean they are distressed or in pain? I hope they are giving him enough pain meds. I just wish all of this was over. So they did do his eye huh. I was wondering if they still were going to do it. The good thing about getting a lot of things taken care of at once is not to have to come back for each one. But dealing with everything at once I'm sure is very overwhelming. Gosh, please take care and tell Kevin we are praying for him that he feels better really soon! :)
Kathy in IA

Kris said...

Leslie, Kev & Breezy, just wanted you to know that we're praying for you, every single day. Praying for the massive amounts of strength that you all need to deal with and WIN every new battle that you must fight. It's just so crappy that you have to fight so many. To say that you are weary, exhausted, frustrated, fed up..... must be such an incredible understatement.

God bless you Leslie. Please know that there are always thoughts, prayers, support and angel hugs coming your way. What I wouldn't give to be able to say "and there's magic wand on its way that you can wave and this nightmare will be over".

Hugs from RI,

- Kris