Well, it's been an eventful day but a good day. Tom has had Sprite, lots of water and he just ate a banana popsicle. The pic line went in successfully but was a bit of a challenge. The worst part of his day was probably the removal of the central line. Because of his propensity to bleed (at least since he's been here) the nurses had to apply a LOT of pressure when they removed the central line to keep him from bleeding out. He was miserable and in quite a bit of discomfort for a few hours after that. It seems he has recovered and keeps repeating he is ready to go home - which is great. But, it will certainly make the remainder of his stay a challenge for him and the rest of us. He is much more alert but still so weak. I know that each day will get better. We did not see the doctors to get an evening report on his blood work so hopefully we'll get an update on that and the liver function in the morning. His nurse was admitting another patient so we didn't get to talk to her either. He now has access to his TV - which is much nicer than the one we have to watch so that should help keep him entertained. He has requested water or Sprite each time I've been in to see him so we've been trying to see him more often to make sure he gets as much to drink as he wants. We appreciate your frequent visits to the site to get updates and I'm posting as often as I can and have new info.
My boss delivered a wonderful lunch from Amerigo's today - no doubt we have been eating well. Every morning I tell myself I need to find a stairwell to climb or something but just don't seem to get the time. We spend a lot more time helping Tom now that he's "awake" so that really needs to be my priority. I just walk really, really fast down the long hall between the waiting room and CCU.
I finally got to go home for a couple of hours to shower, play with the puppies, start some laundry and gather the mail. You know, it really is the little things that make you feel so much better.
It's quite crowded and loud in camp CCU right now, really hoping that will change . . . soon. I think there are more people here right now than there were this weekend. Is there a full moon or something?? I guess the good news is they are laughing and not crying. It seems that's all I did for the first few days. In fact, several people came up to me and said "are you OK, we saw you crying in the hall". I was nicknamed "lady crying in the hall". Now I feel like "lady smiling in the hall" and it feels GOOD!!!
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2 (NIV)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
JUST ONE DAY
God gives us today without promise of tomorrow. Tom is already making the most of the gift of today.
He continues to be a bit groggy but he is drinking water and Sprite and has taken two medications by mouth. They are going to allow him to have a clear liquid diet which includes jello, coffee (no cream), and popsicles . . . yum! They are going to remove the central line and insert a pic line. From the pic line they can give him medications, nutrition and draw blood so this should help him feel less like a pin cushion.
The kidney doctor, critical care doctor, stomach doctor (he's new) and his PCP were in to see Tom this morning. All with great reports. The kidney doctor thinks his kidneys are functioning as well as they are going to. The stomach doctor said the words "I think we've turned a corner" - music to our ears!! I think the PCP is still surprised at how well Tom is doing. The ammonia level is coming down and the liver function is improving so hopefully it will take care of the rest of the ammonia and take the yellow coloring with it. The stomach doctor asked Tom if he knew where he was and he answered "Baptist". Then the doctor asked Tom if he knew who was President, Tom's response: "I'd rather not say". The next question was "who was the last President" and Tom answered "Bush".
They will need to fix his hernia before he leaves the hosptial so we still have a long road ahead of us. God has been so good to answer our prayers and carry us through this unbelieveably difficult time. We certainly wouldn't have made it this far without your prayers, support, encouragement, calls, texts, e-mails, visits, food deliveries and house/puppy sitting.
He continues to be a bit groggy but he is drinking water and Sprite and has taken two medications by mouth. They are going to allow him to have a clear liquid diet which includes jello, coffee (no cream), and popsicles . . . yum! They are going to remove the central line and insert a pic line. From the pic line they can give him medications, nutrition and draw blood so this should help him feel less like a pin cushion.
The kidney doctor, critical care doctor, stomach doctor (he's new) and his PCP were in to see Tom this morning. All with great reports. The kidney doctor thinks his kidneys are functioning as well as they are going to. The stomach doctor said the words "I think we've turned a corner" - music to our ears!! I think the PCP is still surprised at how well Tom is doing. The ammonia level is coming down and the liver function is improving so hopefully it will take care of the rest of the ammonia and take the yellow coloring with it. The stomach doctor asked Tom if he knew where he was and he answered "Baptist". Then the doctor asked Tom if he knew who was President, Tom's response: "I'd rather not say". The next question was "who was the last President" and Tom answered "Bush".
They will need to fix his hernia before he leaves the hosptial so we still have a long road ahead of us. God has been so good to answer our prayers and carry us through this unbelieveably difficult time. We certainly wouldn't have made it this far without your prayers, support, encouragement, calls, texts, e-mails, visits, food deliveries and house/puppy sitting.
Quick Note
I went in to see Tom about 6:45 am and he was more alert than I've seen him. Still groggy and/or just very weak. He said he was ready to go home. I told him he probably couldn't stand on his feet if he tried because he's been off of them for so long. He said "yes I can, let's go". I told him to shoot for getting out of Critical Care first! I told him he's been very, very sick. I asked him if he knew what was on his stomach (hernia), his response was "a bandage". I reminded him what it was and that was probably the reason he was so sick. I also told him he would need surgery to fix it but that might be a while.
It was quite noisy in the waiting room last night so we didn't get a really good night's sleep. I will be taking some Tylenol PM tonight! I'm ready to go home for a quick shower too. Didn't make it yesterday with all of the events of the day. I'm guessing my sisters-in-law are anxious for me to have a shower too!
Again, waiting to hear from the doctor with an update. It can be frustrating when you don't know when they are coming by. I know the moment I leave, they will call. Please keep praying for continued healing! We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.
It was quite noisy in the waiting room last night so we didn't get a really good night's sleep. I will be taking some Tylenol PM tonight! I'm ready to go home for a quick shower too. Didn't make it yesterday with all of the events of the day. I'm guessing my sisters-in-law are anxious for me to have a shower too!
Again, waiting to hear from the doctor with an update. It can be frustrating when you don't know when they are coming by. I know the moment I leave, they will call. Please keep praying for continued healing! We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
DOSE 2
Tom has had dose 2 of the medicine and will continue to get a dose every 4 hours until the ammonia is out of his system. I played cheerleader again and am prepared to do so every 4 hours if that's what it takes. It may not be a great night for him so please pray for him to be calm each time they administer the medicine. It is a relief that we've made some progress after such a rough morning. We are keeping visitors away tonight to give Tom as much rest as possible. Us girls are just going to "veg" in front of the TV and rest tonight too.
MEDICINE IS IN
OK so sometimes you just take the bull by the horns . . . after all of the events this morning, our critical care doctor decided to just go for it and try to get Tom to swallow some of the medicine. So his nurse got the medicine together and gave it to him while I yelled "swallow" until Tom swallowed it. He did so good! I think everyone in the CCU swallowed too. Unfortunately it was just the first dose. Before you ask . . . no, I don't know how many doses he needs but I will find out when I go back in again. They are also giving him a couple of units of blood to "fill his tank" from the blood loss after the third NG tube. He's getting more vitamin K too. Please pray that Tom will continue to be able to swallow the medicine and that it absorbs the ammonia.
Not Yet
Well, third time was not the charm and they've had to remove the third tube. It had a small kink and when the nurse un-kinked it, he bled all over. So, they are giving him more vitamin K and more plasma (I've been spelling that wrong) and are going to consult with the doctor about a plan. The ammonia level is still way too high. So, please pray that the doctors will come up with a working solution to get this medicine into Tom's stomach so that it can absorb the ammonia. This will help the liver, kidneys, etc. and he'll be a lot more alert. He's resting now and we're going to let him continue to nap - he pretty much told us he's not interested in talking to us anyway.
Debbie made it back safely and we're thankful for that. Our friend Mrs. Hefley passed away peacefully this morning. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Debbie made it back safely and we're thankful for that. Our friend Mrs. Hefley passed away peacefully this morning. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Brief Update
Tom woke up log enough this morning to say "hi" and went back to sleep. I try not to get him too worn out before shift change because I know they are going to come in and mess with him. I did meet with the kidney doctor who reported that the kidneys are almost back to normal! There are a couple of nutrients that are low (i.e. magnesium) that the doctor will have administered via IV and he thinks will also correct themselves with nutrition. They removed the NG tube because they will need to start over with that today. Don't yet know when he'll have that done. Hoping his PCP will be in this morning so we can get an update on that and everything else.
For breakfast Cathy and I have dined on fresh fruit (thanks Ellen) and homemade sourdough bread compliments of my co-worker Bud. My sister-in-law Debbie is on her way back to Nashville from Carrollton, GA this morning so please pray for travel mercies.
The name of our roommates mother (that I mentioned in last nights entry) is Fran Hefley. Please continue to pray for her and her family.
All of you are the greatest prayer warriors. We have seen God's hand in Tom's healing.
For breakfast Cathy and I have dined on fresh fruit (thanks Ellen) and homemade sourdough bread compliments of my co-worker Bud. My sister-in-law Debbie is on her way back to Nashville from Carrollton, GA this morning so please pray for travel mercies.
The name of our roommates mother (that I mentioned in last nights entry) is Fran Hefley. Please continue to pray for her and her family.
All of you are the greatest prayer warriors. We have seen God's hand in Tom's healing.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
NG stands for No Go (tonight)
NOTE: It is 9 pm. We've been up since 5 am. We're a bit punchy.
The first and second snags of the day came with the NG tube. It went in OK the first time but the x-ray revealed it was not correctly positioned. So try number 2 went in OK as well and the x-ray revealed it was in the right place but the pre-test did not provide what the nurses were looking for so they are going for a third try tomorrow using a guided device. This will mean a "field trip" for Tom to Radiology! I'm happy they are being so careful and we'll just have to be a little more patient. It's been a rough evening with the tube and the x-rays so he's pretty tired but was still responding to questions. I'm sure a restful night will help prepare him for the procedure tomorrow.
He had several new visitors today, it's been good to see some faces from the past and reminisce. Tom recognized everyone. I felt better when his friends Dennis and Dave didn't get more of a response than I did today.
As you pray for a smooth procedure tomorrow followed by Tom tolerating the nutrition and medicine, please also lift up our CCU waiting room-mates who are saying goodbye to their mother. Life is so precious.
The first and second snags of the day came with the NG tube. It went in OK the first time but the x-ray revealed it was not correctly positioned. So try number 2 went in OK as well and the x-ray revealed it was in the right place but the pre-test did not provide what the nurses were looking for so they are going for a third try tomorrow using a guided device. This will mean a "field trip" for Tom to Radiology! I'm happy they are being so careful and we'll just have to be a little more patient. It's been a rough evening with the tube and the x-rays so he's pretty tired but was still responding to questions. I'm sure a restful night will help prepare him for the procedure tomorrow.
He had several new visitors today, it's been good to see some faces from the past and reminisce. Tom recognized everyone. I felt better when his friends Dennis and Dave didn't get more of a response than I did today.
As you pray for a smooth procedure tomorrow followed by Tom tolerating the nutrition and medicine, please also lift up our CCU waiting room-mates who are saying goodbye to their mother. Life is so precious.
Good News Continued
Well, Tom is still alert (mostly) and will answer our questions. He has been given a Vitamin K shot which will help thicken his blood and now he is getting some fresh frozen plasma which is supposed to help too. The plan is to put in the NG tube later today. It will provide a way to get him nutrition and the medicine to help get his ammonia level down. This should help the sluggishness too. Tom told me this morning he wants to get up. The nurse said if all this gets to working and he's more alert, they will come in and start working to get him moving again. He is so very weak he can hardly lift his arm. I'm helping him move his legs a little. I think he's pretty tired of laying on his back and being unable to move!
Keep on praying. God is good . . . all the time!
Keep on praying. God is good . . . all the time!
GREAT MORNING
Checked on Tom about 6 and he was sleeping so I didn't wake him because I knew the nurses would be coming in soon to mess with him. Just went back in and he was alert and spoke to me. The doctor happened to come in and provide this great news: the liver function is improving and his kidneys are almost back to normal!!! Hallelujah!!
They have removed the blood pressure medicine too so hopefully his blood pressure will stay steady. The doctor asked Tom how he felt, Tom's response was "not bad". The doctor immediately ordered more Vitamin K (to thicken the blood) and an NG tube so that Tom can get the medicine to lower the ammonia level and some nutrition. Our specific prayer is that the NG tube will go in easily with no bleeding.
They have removed the blood pressure medicine too so hopefully his blood pressure will stay steady. The doctor asked Tom how he felt, Tom's response was "not bad". The doctor immediately ordered more Vitamin K (to thicken the blood) and an NG tube so that Tom can get the medicine to lower the ammonia level and some nutrition. Our specific prayer is that the NG tube will go in easily with no bleeding.
Monday, March 28, 2011
ANSWERED PRAYERS
Tom's friend, Dennis has been here faithfully every night. While we were visiting, Cathy and I were talking about how Tom is just not as alert today as he was yesterday morning. Well, Dennis went back to visit with my parents in tow and asked Tom how he was feeling. Tom's response was "I'm feeling fine actually" and he spoke clearly.
Praise God for the power of praying family and friends.
Praise God for the power of praying family and friends.
THE PRAYERS ARE WORKING
Did finally see the doctor about 1 pm. I realize it is much later but Cathy and I were anxious to get home and take showers and we have had visitors since then. It's amazing that even though we're sitting up here "all day" we're busy or something because the time really goes by. I guess that's a good thing though.
We did get to talk to Tom's kidney doctor and his PCP. The kidney doctor reported that the kidneys are improving - this was exciting news. They have stopped the medicine that forces the kidneys to "do their thing" and they are "doing their thing" on their own. Of course, not at full strength but they're better.
His PCP is still very guarded on his condition. Levels are coming down slowly. The "fever" was 100.6 - the doctor didn't seem concerned about it. They changed his blood pressure medicine again because his heart rate was elevated last night. He's still lethargic, however, when his friend Dennis went in this evening, he opened his eyes and nodded answers to questions. Again, I know where I rank :-). The ammonia level is still too high. This is what they think is making him so lethargic. The medicine they can give him to help this needs to work from his stomach. So, Tom needs to be alert enough to take it by mouth or they could insert an NG tube (this tube goes in the nose to the stomach) and administer it that way. The NG tube might cause some bleeding - his blood is not thick enough for that right now. The liver provides the clotting factors and the liver is not functioning so they are giving him Vitamin K to help thicken the blood. The blood is not thick enough yet and it would just be easier all around if he were alert and could just drink it. That is our specific prayer request for tonight.
Tom's sister Debbie, and Cathy's husband Dave headed back home today. Debbie will be back on Wednesday. So Cathy, my parents and I are holding down the fort for now.
Again, the prayers are working. Please continue to lift Tom up.
We did get to talk to Tom's kidney doctor and his PCP. The kidney doctor reported that the kidneys are improving - this was exciting news. They have stopped the medicine that forces the kidneys to "do their thing" and they are "doing their thing" on their own. Of course, not at full strength but they're better.
His PCP is still very guarded on his condition. Levels are coming down slowly. The "fever" was 100.6 - the doctor didn't seem concerned about it. They changed his blood pressure medicine again because his heart rate was elevated last night. He's still lethargic, however, when his friend Dennis went in this evening, he opened his eyes and nodded answers to questions. Again, I know where I rank :-). The ammonia level is still too high. This is what they think is making him so lethargic. The medicine they can give him to help this needs to work from his stomach. So, Tom needs to be alert enough to take it by mouth or they could insert an NG tube (this tube goes in the nose to the stomach) and administer it that way. The NG tube might cause some bleeding - his blood is not thick enough for that right now. The liver provides the clotting factors and the liver is not functioning so they are giving him Vitamin K to help thicken the blood. The blood is not thick enough yet and it would just be easier all around if he were alert and could just drink it. That is our specific prayer request for tonight.
Tom's sister Debbie, and Cathy's husband Dave headed back home today. Debbie will be back on Wednesday. So Cathy, my parents and I are holding down the fort for now.
Again, the prayers are working. Please continue to lift Tom up.
Monday
Well, we were hoping to have talked with the doctors before making our morning post but we've not met with his PCP so we have little info to share. Tom is not as responsive as he was yesterday. I don't know if he's worn out or what. The nurse said he had a fever overnight. He feels warm to me this morning but not fever warm. He opened his eyes for me and his sister Debbie but wasn't responding to our questions with nods or shakes. I did get an update directly from his kidney doctor who said his kidneys are improving so we are very thankful for that!!! His blood pressure meds have been changed to help bring his heart rate down - it was a bit high last night. All the counts are still improving.
It was much quieter last night and I had an air mattress delivered by a good friend of Tom's. It was a dream! Slept almost 7 hours.
Hoping the doctor will arrive soon so Tom's sister Cathy and I can leave my parents here and go home and take a shower.
It was much quieter last night and I had an air mattress delivered by a good friend of Tom's. It was a dream! Slept almost 7 hours.
Hoping the doctor will arrive soon so Tom's sister Cathy and I can leave my parents here and go home and take a shower.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Good Evening
It's going to be difficult to beat the news from this morning so we'll just say that Tom has continued to be alert and answer our questions today. It's just so exciting - it's difficult for me to stay out of his room. Fortunately the nurses in the CCU have allowed us to visit outside the normal visiting hours. I have a feeling he thinks I have overreacted since all of the family is here but he doesn't yet know how critical his condition is. We've only told him that he has a really, really bad infection and a hernia. We didn't meet with the doctor directly but one of his very kind nurses took the time to provide the following information: his kidney function is improving, his liver enzymes are still high, but decreasing. The have taken him off of the diuretic so we'll see how the kidneys function on their own. They are gradually lowering the dose of medicine that's pushing his blood pressure up. All the other levels are coming down as well. One of the things he asked for was water! They are allowing him to have water as he can tolerate it. On my last visit, I walked in and said "I'm back". His response was "I'm back".
We are eating like kings and queens here and have managed to feed others in the waiting room. Some of my Sunday School class members greeted us this morning with a hot breakfast! It was superb! A couple of my girlfriends from Memphis drove all the way here to visit for a few hours and then headed home. I am not surprised really but it's such a wonderful, and generous gift.
This may be it for tonight unless something monumental happens that I just have to share. God bless you all for your thoughts and prayers . . . oh, and if you can pray that we have "quiet time" in the waiting room tonight.
We are eating like kings and queens here and have managed to feed others in the waiting room. Some of my Sunday School class members greeted us this morning with a hot breakfast! It was superb! A couple of my girlfriends from Memphis drove all the way here to visit for a few hours and then headed home. I am not surprised really but it's such a wonderful, and generous gift.
This may be it for tonight unless something monumental happens that I just have to share. God bless you all for your thoughts and prayers . . . oh, and if you can pray that we have "quiet time" in the waiting room tonight.
Good Morning
Jeanne asked me to write this post. She and Debbie are taking their turns going home for a quick shower. It's been a difficult night for us in the waiting room; however, when Jeanne went to see Tom, he was awake! Praise the Lord. I (Cathy) went to visit a minute ago and he was awake again. He saw me come into the room and followed me with his eyes. I told him I have met some of his amazing friends. He nodded his head yes. I told him we are all here even though we can't stay in his room. Then I told him Dave (my husband)is taking care of his sweet dogs; he smiled. I told him Dave was even sleeping with the dogs and he chuckled! (Dave won't let our own dogs sleep with us!) I told him I loved him and he said I love you too! Praise God from whom all blessings flow... We haven't had an opportunity to talk to the doctor or nurse yet so Jeanne will post again later. Thank you for all the prayers, hugs, visits, phone calls and texts. They mean a lot to all of us. Thank you for your continued prayers. I can't stop thinking of the song Blessed Be Your Name...when the road's marked with suffering. Though there's pain in the offering, blessed be your name. We feel your prayers.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunset - Day 3
It's been a busy day - lots of kind visitors and so many encouraging words. We have felt your love today. Not much change in the levels this afternoon. He's holding steady as the new medications from this morning are doing their thing. The process is slow and for us who don't always wait patiently - frustrating at times. A blood culture test was run to determine if there was any infection in his blood and . . . praise God, the test was negative. That was the best news of the day. Tom is resting on most visits. He opened his eyes for me although he looked like he might be a little mad. For his good friend, he turned his head and opened his eyes. Guess I know where I rank!! Tom's heart and lungs are in good shape. He remains in multi-organ failure status. His ammonia level is high but they have a plan in place to address that and we're just waiting for those medications to do their thing. So, day 3 brings night 3. We have now learned how to turn out all the lights in our "section" of the waiting room.
Still Day 3 - Saturday
OK, now that you're up-to-date, I'll try to post a couple of times a day. This morning brings little change. They are adjusting some of his meds; all levels are decreasing (headed in the right direction) but remain extremely high. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement during this time. Our prayer is that Tom feels strengthened and comforted by all of the thoughts and prayers. We're also praying the antibiotics overtake the infection and the other meds do what they need to do, and for wisdom for the doctors and nurses to provide him the best treatment. I am thankful for so many family and friends who have jumped to meet our every need.
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, because you saw my suffering; you knew my troubles. Psalm 31:7
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, because you saw my suffering; you knew my troubles. Psalm 31:7
Day 3
OK, so you didn't miss days 1 and 2, we've just been a little busy. We'll actually start with Day 0: Tom had been complaining of having the flu for a couple of weeks. Self-medication didn't seem to be working so after some "gentle coaxing" from me (his wife) he made a doctors appointment. He continued to get weaker and weaker and by Tuesday March 22 (the day of his doctors appointment) he was too weak to make it to the doctor even with my help but he didn't want me to call for help. I let him talk me out of calling for an ambulance until early Thursday morning. He arrived at Baptist ER via ambulance around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 24.
Day 1
Baptist Hospital Emergency Room, Nashville TN
Once under the very bright lights, it was obvious Tom was extremely ill. He had not had any food or drink so he was dehydrated and very yellow. Their initial report was kidney and liver failure, but could not determine a source. I was told the situation was "dire". After a "come-apart" and a phone call to my mom, I called his sisters and they headed to Nashville from Carrollton, GA. The doctors immediately admitted him to the hospital and we waited for a Critical Care Unit (CCU) bed to become available. By God's grace, we were assigned a bed within a couple of hours.
Once in CCU, the specialized care givers confirmed the "dire" status and connected lots of tubes. Tom was responsive to questions, his heart, lungs, and some other things looked good so that was positive news. I went to the CCU waiting room to wait and was relieved to have two friends arrive. His primary care physician (PCP) came in about an hour later. After some conversation his comments to me were: Tom is very, very sick. You need to prepare yourself that he might not recover. My assumption in all of the reports thus far was that Tom's liver had failed and that was the primary issue. I started calling family, friends, co-workers, Sunday School members, everyone . . . to pray! I always thought if I was in this situation I would want to be alone without anyone around "bugging" me. Not the case now! I couldn't imagine not having everyone here, helping me, praying for us. I decided right away not to say "no" to anyone who offered to help and put some folks to work (I wondered later if they knew I wouldn't accept help and wished they hadn't offered). They came through and provided food, blankets, house-sitting, etc.
Throughout the day the message did not change. Every specialist that his PCP brought in said the same thing . . . he is very ill; the message to family and friends is he is critical. Our team of doctors currently includes his PCP, a critical care doctor and his resident, a kidney doctor, a surgeon, and an infection control doctor. What a blessing when Tom's sisters and brother-in-law arrived. We cried together for a time, visited with Tom and settled in for a long night, sans sleep.
Day 2
The morning of day two brought more information. Tom's sisters went to visit him and were able to speak with his nurse. The nurse said the tests revealed that a wound on Tom's abdomen was actually a hernia that had ruptured and he was suffering not from liver and kidney failure alone, but severe septic shock resulting in multi-organ failure (kidney and liver). Although not good news, we at least had a diagnosis with treatment possibilities. He was started on powerful antibiotics. They could not confirm the hernia to be the source of the infection so continue to run more tests. Tom was not as responsive as he had been. We waited some more and prepared for another night in a brightly lit waiting room. Thanks to my brother-in-law, we were equipped with sleeping masks and dubbed ourselves the "divas of the CCU waiting room".
Day 1
Baptist Hospital Emergency Room, Nashville TN
Once under the very bright lights, it was obvious Tom was extremely ill. He had not had any food or drink so he was dehydrated and very yellow. Their initial report was kidney and liver failure, but could not determine a source. I was told the situation was "dire". After a "come-apart" and a phone call to my mom, I called his sisters and they headed to Nashville from Carrollton, GA. The doctors immediately admitted him to the hospital and we waited for a Critical Care Unit (CCU) bed to become available. By God's grace, we were assigned a bed within a couple of hours.
Once in CCU, the specialized care givers confirmed the "dire" status and connected lots of tubes. Tom was responsive to questions, his heart, lungs, and some other things looked good so that was positive news. I went to the CCU waiting room to wait and was relieved to have two friends arrive. His primary care physician (PCP) came in about an hour later. After some conversation his comments to me were: Tom is very, very sick. You need to prepare yourself that he might not recover. My assumption in all of the reports thus far was that Tom's liver had failed and that was the primary issue. I started calling family, friends, co-workers, Sunday School members, everyone . . . to pray! I always thought if I was in this situation I would want to be alone without anyone around "bugging" me. Not the case now! I couldn't imagine not having everyone here, helping me, praying for us. I decided right away not to say "no" to anyone who offered to help and put some folks to work (I wondered later if they knew I wouldn't accept help and wished they hadn't offered). They came through and provided food, blankets, house-sitting, etc.
Throughout the day the message did not change. Every specialist that his PCP brought in said the same thing . . . he is very ill; the message to family and friends is he is critical. Our team of doctors currently includes his PCP, a critical care doctor and his resident, a kidney doctor, a surgeon, and an infection control doctor. What a blessing when Tom's sisters and brother-in-law arrived. We cried together for a time, visited with Tom and settled in for a long night, sans sleep.
Day 2
The morning of day two brought more information. Tom's sisters went to visit him and were able to speak with his nurse. The nurse said the tests revealed that a wound on Tom's abdomen was actually a hernia that had ruptured and he was suffering not from liver and kidney failure alone, but severe septic shock resulting in multi-organ failure (kidney and liver). Although not good news, we at least had a diagnosis with treatment possibilities. He was started on powerful antibiotics. They could not confirm the hernia to be the source of the infection so continue to run more tests. Tom was not as responsive as he had been. We waited some more and prepared for another night in a brightly lit waiting room. Thanks to my brother-in-law, we were equipped with sleeping masks and dubbed ourselves the "divas of the CCU waiting room".
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