Saturday, May 24, 2008

Good Night

Last night when we went back in to see Drew there were still a lot of people in his room getting him stable. He had a little fever, likely the body's response to the trauma of surgery and bypass, and so they put him on a cooling blanket. He is also in another research study on IV acetaminophen so he's getting that every 6 hours which should also help the fever. His main issue has been staying sedated. While we were in there he kept opening his eyes and sort of gagging on the breathing tube. They hadn't gotten the IV drips of fentanyl and versed yet and he was breaking through the sedation. So we decided to wait and come back when there were less people in the room.

We went back around 9 and stayed with him for about an hour. He was doing well. They had to push the breathing tube a little further down because it was starting to come out (probably from the gagging). I asked them to play his Veggie Tales CD when things settled down and to take care of his little crusty mouth. It gets very dry when the tube is in and it looked uncomfortable to me. When we were there the second time his heart rate looked better and his temp was normal. They promised they would keep him sedated and asleep so we went back to the hotel to sleep, probably our last time sleeping in the same bed until we get home.

We slept really well last night, but I awoke with a start this morning and just had to call and find out how Drew was doing. The nurse said he had a good night, he was stable all night. She said they'd been trying to keep him sedated, but he was hard to sedate. I guess he would wake up a little bit, but she would tell him to go back to sleep and he would listen. He also threw up once last night, so they put in an NG tube to drain some of the bile that was in his stomach and gave him some anti-nausea meds to make him feel better. I'm glad I wasn't there when that happened, I imagine it would be pretty scary to see someone on a breathing tube throw up. They have also turned down his ventilator rate and oxygen, so he is doing more of the work on his own.

Our plan is to be there by the time shift change is over at 7:30. Once we hear from any doctors we'll let you know what the plan is.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Dan and Andrea,
I am so glad to hear Drew had a good night overall. I am so glad to hear they were able to turn down the ventilator, hopefully he will be off of that soon. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
The Myers'

Amy, Steve, Molly, Paige and Garrett said...

I'm so glad to hear that you got some sleep last night. It's so good to hear that the hospital staff are being so responsive. Drew is such a trouper and I know he's going to pull through with flying colors! Still praying...
Amy

Christina Canavan said...

Glad you got some sleep...your strength amazes me...

Anonymous said...

Dear Andrea and Dan:

You guys and the kids are bathed in prayer -- praise God for the strength He is giving to you, and for the tenderness of the hospital staff, and for Drew's adventurous spirit through this.

Love you, Lori

Paige said...

Praise God for the miracle of Drews progress and the gifts he bestowed on the surgeons hands!

It all sounds like good things going on for Drew's recovery. Praying for all this to continue and for you all to come home in record time!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you got some sleep. I'm sure you were exhausted. I love that you played Veggie tales for him. Your such a good mommy, knowing exactly what would make him most comfortable in this situtaion.
Dan, I know you have been doing a great job of being Andrea's rock. Your so good at staying calm during these times.

You are both amazing people with your ability to trust God with all of this. What a testimony!

Let me know if there is anything that I can get Drew that would help in the hospital. THat goes for you and Dan too!

Eben says,"I love you Drew and I hope you feel better!"

Love,
The Scott clan

Katie Scott said...

I am so glad to hear that he had a good night! And you too! How wonderful that you felt peaceful enough to be able to get some well needed sleep last night. I pray that Drew has a good day today and can stop that gag reflex. I am sure that it must feel so uncomfotable! We love you and will see you on Monday! You guys have 2 magazines coming your way!

Valerie said...

Hard to sedate....that is really good! Means he will be ready to be extubated easily!

Woke up thinking of you....

Peter Scott said...

Glad to hear we are on the road to recovery! We wait to see Drew!

Lexi and Linzi said...

Again thankful for the update!!! And thankful that everything mostly sounded good! Again, God is so good! Keeping you in our prayers and will be on the look-out for "the plan".
Love,
The Sheridans

Anne Marie said...

It was a big relief to see your title for this post-and to see that you all had a relatively good night after all the emotion of yesterday. All of you are such an inspiration- I can't tell you how many tears have been falling while reading the updates, and YOUR strength is actually helping me understand and take comfort in all that is going on. Still praying, and thinking of my hero, Drew, constantly!

Kacie said...

glad you got some sleep - that's impressive! and glad Drew is doing more of the work on his own - all good news. praying you all have a great day today. Kacie

Kathy said...

HOW AWESOME that he had a good night!
IS he always hard to sedate....or do you think they just need more each time they are put under??
Very cool that they're turning down the vent already!
I bet Drew's doing to be ready to go home by next weekend!!!
You guys will stay in our prayers.
Love,
Kathy

Anonymous said...

good morning! i was really happy to see a post of course and that it's all pretty good news. we'll continue to pray for a speedy recovery and more pictures of your smiling faces-God is good!
we love you guys,
eric, rose, jack & abby

The Cohen's said...

I was hoping there would be an update when I logged on this morning. I'm SO thankful that you guys had a good night and he did well! He sounds like such a little trooper, as his parents are.
May you all have a good day!

Kristen Ewers said...

We are so glad to hear that you and Dan got a good night of sleep and could trust Drew to the care of the staff there. We are praying that when he comes out of sedation today he will remain calm and not try to fight the wires and tubes!
Shae said to tell Drew to "please get better fast and come home so I can play with you!"
Love you guys,
Kristen

Unknown said...

I'm glad Drew had a good night. I could imagine how scary it would of been to see him throw up. I'm so glad you felt comfortable enough to leave him with the nurses. I'm praying his fever goes down and keeps coming down on the vent setting.

Love,
Vanessa

DeAnna said...

Glad to hear that you got good sleep! What a blessing. Your strength is so encouraging! Praying today is an uneventful day!
Love,
The Gallardo's