Butterfly Kisses

Hello all. Sorry for the late post. Lynette and I went to see PJ tonight around 5:30 pm. Everything is still going very well in PJ land. He was pretty worn out, but still in and out. He wasn't fighting the restraints as much as he was earlier today and yesterday.

This morning, they took him off the vent for 30 minutes to breathe on his own, he did very well. They told us that they were going to do the same in the evening. When we got there tonight, I asked how it went, and she said that she took him off and started "working" on him. Then she looked up at the clock, and he had been off the vent for an HOUR with NO PROBLEMS!!! This is what we wanted to hear!!! So tomorrow, they will take him off again for a little longer, and a little more frequently. The setting on the vent while he is on it allows him to "over breathe" the vent if he wants. He has been over breathing a lot. That is awesome... GO PEEJ!

So, he still really likes to tell you no... about EVERYTHING. He is like a two year old.

While we were there, I told him that I loved him, and.... he "blew me" a kiss. It was quite funny. Lynette and I kinda looked at each other and said, "Did he just do that, really?" Then when I was leaving I told him I was going to give him a kiss, and he did it again... it was pretty cool.

Stats are great. Infection is getting better, no fever. Blood sugar was 103, blood pressure was great. Yes.. a good day in PJ land yet again. Kisses and all...


I can't tell you how proud I am of him. He has come such a long way! The nurse tonight said that she thought he would be on the vent until at least Christmas, and now she thinks he will be completely awake and off the vent by the end of the week if he does every step of this process without a problem... So, we need more days like the last few.


Heather

Good Morning....

OK so I will have to start thinking up clever titles like Chris.

I got here yesterday, and couldn't wait to go and see him. When I did get up there, Chris had to tell me what I could and couldn't do, (I have a thing about pulling out the trach and trying to kill my brother) before I really felt comfortable enough to take the reins here.

Once Chris and my Dad left, and the Ativan levels started wearing off from the decrease in the dosage, PJ was in and out a lot. I think I lucked out and got him when he was "more awake". Don't get me wrong, he is in and out like Chris said, but I tell you what, he was shaking his head"yes" and "no" left and right. (We all know that there was more of the "no").

He was coughing quite a bit when I was there. Dan the nurse said that was great. That's what they want to see. Right now, the vent is set to breath for him, however if he tries to overcompensate, that isn't a bad thing. If he keeps doing well on this setting, and keeps up with the great coughing, then they will lower his vent settings more (maybe today) and he will be breathing more on his own....

PJ did know that I was there yesterday. I asked him if he knew who I was and he shook his head yes and mouthed Heather. (All these years of working in the DRIVE THRU PHARMACY paid off... I can read lips!) He does get very frustrated with the situation. But, if you tell him to calm down and that every things OK, and he seems to calm down. I can't imagine how scary it would be to wake up like this; but the good thing is, he only remembers the moment. He won't remember any of this when he finally "wakes up" completely...


OK time to shower and get ready to go frustrate him more today! (Just kidding)

Heather