TJ is continuing to improve generally but very slowly, with both praises and prayer requests today. The biggest news for the day is that TJ is ready to leave the ICU. As soon as a bed becomes available in a special care unit (between ICU and a regular unit), he will be moving. As the doc was relating this news, he blanked on Mary Ann’s name, and Tim was able to croak out “Mary Ann” to correct him! That made Mary Ann’s morning.
Another highlight of TJ’s morning was spending some time looking at pictures on his computer that he had taken in
TJ’s morning also involved both OT and speech therapy, and those left him exhausted. That leads us to our biggest prayer requests for today:
- TJ’s tongue is weak, which makes swallowing nearly impossible. He needs to be able to swallow before his feeding tube can be removed (the NG tube).
- He is still very weak overall. The smallest efforts leave him wiped. Gaining strength will be essential to his recovery.
It is very possible that TJ will improve more rapidly once he is out of ICU, as Jon explains below:
There is actually a fairly wide spread medical condition for people coming to after being under in the ICU called ICU psychosis. First, I need to make this very clear, TJ is not exhibiting signs of psychosis. He is not going mad. However, some quick reading on the subject may help explain why TJ's mental status isn't progressing as quickly as we had hoped.
Dehydration, low blood oxygen levels (sats), infections, constant light in the room, and constant stimulation (IVs beeping, people talking outside, nurses and PCAs checking on the patient every hour -- or less) all contribute. In TJ's case he has had varying levels of all of these.
He probably was slightly dehydrated for a time in order to get the fluid out of his lungs, his sats have never been bad, but they have been lower than most healthy people. (Healthy is 97, he has been sitting anywhere between 90 - 97 depending on the day.) There is always a light on in the room, and even if there wasn't, there isn't a way to shut the light out from outside the room (the room will become dim at night, but not dark).
Most of the time he's been in the ICU (27 days) he's been checked on every 30-60 minutes, and the first two nights I spent there, IVs and the ventilator were constantly beeping. It was like three cell phones going off at once every two seconds.
Finally, he obviously had a pretty bad infection.
What this all adds up to is some significant confusion from organic and multiple environmental factors. Simply moving TJ out of the ICU may clear much of this up, we'll see. But we thought it was worth explaining this. I have no doubt that this adds to his slow mental recovery, I just don't know how much.
Sources: New York Times, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE3DB113BF93BA35751C1A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
MedicineNet, http://www.medicinenet.com/icu_psychosis/article.htm
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8 comments:
Not to be nosy, but will they allow Tim to have a popsicle or a hard sucker. Those are sometimes what we use to give throat relief with an NG tube and they exercise your mouth :-)
Such good news you truly do have, what a treat for you to hear him say Mary Ann.
still praying and following your blog.
Connie and Jim Anderson
Random thought about the 'blog comments...':
Have you all considered the thought that this has been an amazing way to bring all of us us 'out there' here in CA and around the world to share in a Concert of Prayer? It is one of the most immediate 'Ask for according to my will...' prayer vigils I have ever been part of. But it isn't just that; as you all share your insights in the context of medical terminology, we find ourselves praising and thanking Him so the peace of God, that transcends all understanding, fills our hearts in spite of understanding His ways. We won't stop now!
Elizabeth and Gary
Continuing to praise God for His wonderful love, mercy, and support throughout this challenging time for TJ and his immediate family. It is so inspiring to see God glorified in prayer through the coming together of the larger family of believers around the world through this "simple" blog. Praying the move into new environs will be a real boost to TJs health, strength and stamina.
So good to hear of the improvement.
Gains made in prayer must be upheld in prayer! And we will do that!
Daryl
It's remarkable how many specific individuals in our church have come up to me and asked for updated information on TJ! We've been sharing each Sunday about the situation, but people have even called to ask. I think the Holy Spirit is indeed mobilizing His church to do battle on TJ's behalf, even among many who had never even heard of him before. We won't stop yet!
Happy New Year to TJ and Mary Ann! We have been praying for you and continue to pray for God's healing touch to your body and a quick recovery! Our thoughts, love and prayers!
John & Audrey
We are here in Milwaukee and have our whole missions committee praying for TJ, Mary Ann,family, friends,and medical staff. We personally are praying the words of Psalm 103 to God on behalf of all involved. His words to us, which we are saying right back to Him are "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all of His benefits....(He) who heals all of your diseases.....and satisfies you with good things."
Alleluia! Amen! May you feel those"good things......" whatever they may be at the moment that you need them. Scott and Alice Harris
Thank you for updating us. We were also happy to know that our Bro TJ was looking at the pics of lebanon. We are next to you TJ, we love you here, praying all day, following your news. Very happy that our Lord putted his hands. You are able to go through this period.
Nicolas, Noha and The Ayoub Family
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