How is Donna T. doing???????

Just wondering if anyone knows how Donna is doing. I have kept her and her family in my prayers and I am really concerned. Thanks Becky

Hey Becky, Thanks for nudging me! I called last week and couldn't get Patty and then forgot to call back... I just talked to Patty (Donna's daughter) and Donna is still deeply sedated. Her temp is down to normal - about 97, she is on a CPAP during the day, but at night is on the venilator. The suction tube from her mouth (to her tummy?) has been removed. The docs told Patty it could be two more weeks of sedation or two more months of sedation - it just depends on the patient....They don't want her off the venilator until her lungs are stronger. And if they ease up on the sedation, she fights with the tubing and stuff. Now, I don't understand parts of what I just typed...I am merely repeating what Patty said, so if someone reads this and understands about the CPAP in the day and venilator at night and the suction tube, PLEASE explain it to us. And is this a "routine" kind of thing or not? The prolonged sedation worries me - should it? Keep praying, Arlies

Well I pray she'll be just fine. I was on Prolonged sedation as well. It's just so we don't fight "being breathed." I only had the CPAP after I was out of ICU, And only had to have it every 2 hours for 30mins. I know she'll have some dreams and halucinations to rival Jimmy Hendrix. I know I did. Keep the prayers headed her way! Best Wishes- Dx

Little hi-jak- Becky, So good to see you up and going. How's it going for you? These first 3 weeks can be A bear! Take care, and keep us posted. Best Wishes- Dx

ok kiddo's lol here is the down low about the CPAP and VENT. My son was on that for months...and yes it is normal for strengthening the lungs...if they are letting her be on CPAP during the day and the vent at night that means that her lungs are slowly getting stronger. because if she wasnt then she wouldnt be on the cpap at all, yes the drain tube down her mouth (or nose) goes to her stomach to drain off all the fluid so it doesnt go into her intestins. this is to let her intestins rest and recuperate. (meaning they are keeping them dormate and asleep to heal) if they have taken it out then they are trying to wake them up and see if they will function properly, and her not having a fever is a good sign that the infection that was in her body is going away. and about the sedation yes its normal for them to keep them sedated like that to keep them from pulling the tubes from the lungs, because if you repeatedly have one put in and pulled out it will damage the tacheia (sp)(vocal cords and wind pipe) and if it gets scar tissue buildup in the windpipe she will have to have the trache put in her neck so she can breath because the scar tissue will block her upper airway (the airway between the throat and the nasal passage. Just thougth I would give yall the run down since I have dealt with the vent, cpap, and lung thing before along with the intestinal surgery all with my son. he even had an colonostomy for 2 months. they had to keep him sedated also when he was on the vent and cpap because of the same reason...he wouldnt stop pulling the vent tube out of his mouth..and they thought they were gonna have to do a trache on him but they didnt...well just wanted to try to help yall understand a little about what she said....i hope it helped!! God Bless, Angie Bea