3 Days Worth of Updates

 Update from Jodie (Mom)

Saturday September 7^th:

Today we did a lot of different tests beginning at 6:00am-- From a chest x-ray, to a Bronchoscopy, to a Cat Scan.  There was Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Breathing Treatments, and Cough Assist treatments as well.  Kollin got very little time to rest.  His lungs are suffering from lying in bed and not being able to move around.  Gunk has started to build up and his Chest x-rays show no air in the Right Lower Lobe.  The Dr.’s have prescribed him some medication that will help to break up the gunk.  They also started him on an antibiotic while waiting for the results of the cultures done on the gunk.  Wow I just used the word Gunk three times in an effort to not make you all sick to your stomachs.  I’ll spare you the details, but the terms “Suction”, and “Secretions” have taken on new meaning in our daily routine.  This morning, before we had even discussed his possible pneumonia with the Dr.’s , Kollin wrote on the whiteboard, “I feel sick.”  This is something that definitely must be addressed before he can be taken off the ventilator.  He is so very anxious for that darn breathing tube to come out!!!!

Sunday September 8^th (Morning)

This mornings x-ray brought some hard news for my small boy to hear.  He was so hoping that the breathing tube would be coming out, but sadly No.  His Lungs are still way too sick for him to breathe on his own.  They did a viral test where they stick a really long swab down his nose to collect a sample.   That’s enough to upset the happiest of souls.  “Good news, you don’t have pneumonia.  Bad news you have SOMETHING so we can’t take the tube out yet, and by the way we need to stick this very large q-tip down your schnozzle, and roll it around and around for thirty seconds or so.  Don’t worry though we won’t stick it down the schnozzle hole that has your feeding tube in it.”  As Braydon would say—Whewfff that’s a relief.  Poor kid- why must a mothers heart break every time her child’s does?? I immediately sensed a distant look in his eyes.  It seemed to scream, “Get me outta here.”  We tried sitting him in the chair again and wheeled him to the window that had brought him so much joy just a few short days ago.  His eyes did not move beyond the pane of glass directly in front of him.  The Respiratory Therapist asked him if he wanted to stay in front of the window for a bit.  He shook his head NO.  It was decided that we would push him around the ICU.  Maybe some movement would improve his mood.  About half way around the block, he closed his little eyes shut. I felt him say, “I might not be able to leave this place physically, but I don’t have to look at it, and be reminded of WHERE I am.”  The rest of the morning those baby blues that I love so much remained shut.  He was cooperative, during his treatments, but never opened his eyes.

Later in the day, his brothers, Aly (Mason’s fiance) and Gracie (New Sister in-law) came up for a short visit.  Gary would like to report on a conversation between Devon and Kollin.  As Devon walked in the room, Kollin’s eyes lit up.  Kollin asked for his white board to write something.  He wrote “I like your shirt”  Kollin knows how much Devon likes to be complimented.—especially on his great fashion sense.  Devon told Kollin all about the storm we had at home, and about all the branches we need to clean up in our yard.  Devon told Kollin, “Just because you have a broken neck, doesn’t mean you get out of having to pick up branches.”  Kollin smiled and told Devon that he has to pick up his sticks for him…… it was just a cute conversation, that had nothing to do with hospital crap. And it really cheered him up for a minute.

Kollin’s night nurse was really frustrated that ALL throughout the night, he only had 2 hour stints where no one was bugging him for something.  He’d barely get to sleep before the next person came into his room and wanted something from him.  I started to wonder how he would ever get better if he isn’t able to get some solid rest.  The last Cough Assist treatment of the night was at- 3:30am.  I played with his hair (His request) until I could tell he had drifted off, then I layed down for a few winks.  When 7:00am hit, they were back, ready for the next round of Cough Assist, but something was different.  Everyone coming into the room was gowning up and wearing masks.  The results from the virus test showed that he has the “Rhino Virus.” So in an effort to contain the germs, and keep them from spreading to other patients, the new garb became necessary. 

Monday September 9^th:

It’s now 8:30pm and overall it’s been an uneventful day.  Between his night nurse from last night and his day nurse today, Kollin has 2 advocates working hard for him. These kind women decided to approach the docotors and recommend that Kollin be left to sleep between the hours of 10pm and 6am.  Unless Kollin asks for something, (Pain meds, suction, cough assist etc.) No one is allowed to bug him.  We will try this plan for the next two nights in an effort to help him get some solid rest.  So he can get better.  His eyes have stayed shut again for most of the day.  At about 6pm he opened them and asked for a little TV.  His own efforts during the Cough Assist treatments have been stellar today.  He has been able to get rid of lots of Gunk.  We are crossing our fingers, and praying that he is able to get rid of more than he is producing.  The respiratory therapist says that he sounds better than yesterday and his secretions are thinning out.  Sorry TMI, but we celebrate every little tiny small bit of good news these days.  Our new daughter in-law, Graci (I love saying that) just sent us some pics that have left us speechless.  Friends and neighbors working diligently in our yard picking up branches, sweeping up debris etc. after the storm.  Thank You Kind people from the bottom of our suffering hearts.

 

 Christlike friends and neighbors lend a hand.