Saturday, June 29th, 8 pm Jim said that today was an interesting day...slow and steady. Oxygen is down to 45%. As they wean Daniel from the sedative and pain medication, he seems agitated and confused. Toni and Jim's Mom are there to reassure him. It is unclear whether the agitation stems from the entire experience, pain, or from the gradual weaning from the drugs...or perhaps a bit of all. They are giving him medicine to help with the weaning process.
Sunday, June 30th, 7:30 pm Daniel is still at 45% oxygen today. They gave him another unit of blood (which they have been doing periodically, as needed. The pressure on the respirator is down more...and he is coughing more which is good and being suctioned more to keep the fluids in the lungs under control). He does have a fever of 103 today and they are running some tests to try and figure out where the infection is coming from. He also has some slight tremors in his hands... All this...but all in all, Jim said it was a good day.
Monday, July 1st, 7:30 pm Today at 11:20 the doctors cut off all sedatives. Daniel's reaction was similar to yesterday, some trembling of his hands and some anxiety. His blood pressure also went up. After an hour and a half, they gave him some pain medication. He seems to be responding occasionally to Toni's voice. If she speaks to him he will sometimes move his head. He does respond to some questions by nodding. For example, today when the doctor was checking his vision, he shinned a light in his eyes and asked him if he could see it. Daniel nodded yes. The swelling is down except in the abdomen and chest. The fever is gone. The occupational therapist came in today and did some range of motion exercises with Daniel. The oxygen level is back at 50%; the pressure is down on the respirator and there is more loosening of the congestion, which is good. All in all, good progress.
Tuesday, July 2nd, 9:00 pm Another good day. They needed to increase the sedatives (since Daniel reacts very strongly to any changes). They started the sedatives and then slowly started reducing it. Daniel tried to move his arm to pull out the trache so they had to restrain his arm. Toni asked him to squeeze his eyes closed if he was in pain. He did this and they then gave him some pain medication.
Wednesday, July 3rd, 8:30 pm Daniel had a rough morning this morning. The doctors were having a hard time keeping his blood pressure and heart rate down. Daniel had more tremors today due to drug withdrawal. His swelling is down. Today Toni talked to the heart surgeon and he told her that he would like to wait to do the surgery until after he is up and walking around. Today was the first day that the doctors talked about rehabilitation.
Thursday, July 4th, 10:30 pm Daniel hosted a 4th of July party in his room, compliments of his Aunt Sandi. There were rice crispy treats and they decorated his room and invited all the nurses to stop by. Also, Pep Manning stopped by to say Hi to Daniel and he brought him a CD. Today they reduced the pain medications and sedation and Daniel handled it well. They also adjusted the respirator so that now Daniel controls the number of breaths he takes instead of the machine. This is the first step on weaning him off the respirator. Today was a fairly easy day, his eyes opened more and they didn't have as much panic in them. They did some physical therapy today and his stats were good all day long. There's a lady named Theresa Aspin who came to the ICU the same day as Daniel. She is going through rehab and today she and her husband, Kier, and also their baby, Ellie, came by to see Daniel. Everyone is pleased with the progress Thresa has made. For Daniel, today was a good day.
Friday, July 5th, 9:00 pm Today Denise Moody, from the Music Club, came to visit Daniel. Daniel's oxygen is at 45%. Today they reduced the sedative and pain killers again and he handled that well. He also tolerated the breathing changes, from yesterday, well. Daniel had physical therapy today and he has a new nurse. Toni asked Daniel if he needed to be suctioned and he nodded yes. Daniel was more alert today, Toni showed him a picture of him and his two sisters, Betsy and Emily, at Christmas time and Daniel cried... so he is responsive.
Jeff and Mary Ann Laun
618 Santa Rosa Rd
Arcadia 91007
(626) 447-8492 (h)
(626) 827-8492 (cell)
(626) 585-7833 (work)
Mary Ann's email
Mindy Sherman
home after 5/22/2002 (626) 447-8492
cell: (415) 420-6341
Mindy's email