Feeling a little better
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Hi All,
Its really been a long day for Brent. He is still somewhat nausious and uncomfortable. He's been walking around quite a bit trying to get all systems going and it seems to be getting better for him. He no longer has any fever so thats really great. His chest is starting to get sore and it's painful to cough, but his lungs are still pretty clear. YEA!!! He's eating Salmon tonight and is doing better. I think he may be somewhat disappointed that he isnt feeling as well as he would like to be, but thats pretty normal for someone who holds such high expectations of himself....thats Brent right!! Were hoping tomorrow will be a gentler day for him and he will feel better. Thats it for now, talk to you all in the morning.....donna
Good morning
Hi All,
Just saw Brent....he's not so chipper today sad to say. He has been moved to a step-down ICU unit, which is alot less chaotic, and a lot more quiet. He is fighting the nausea from the pain meds and is really uncomfortable, tired, and worried. He has a low grade fever, but the nurse explained it as a natural occurrence that tells them he needs to get up and walk. He has all the lines, except for his pic lines, out of him. The catheter is out too. Yea!!. He went for his first walk this am. It was tough/weird he said, but afterward he felt better and his fever subsided. He isn't very social today, but who is when they are sick to their stomach, let alone after heart surgery!!! None the less, he is really doing well and is still the Star Student....and the brightest star in our lives. He needed to rest after a short visit, we hope he's up to watching the hockey game this afternoon with us.....but its all about whatever it takes to keep him comfortable and on a smooth recovery. Thanks again for all the support and well wishes....donna
Looking good
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Hi All,
Brent is doing exceptionally well. He is the "Star Student"....thats what his nurse calls him, so its all good with me. He is off most of his pain meds, so he is getting some sorness of the chest now. His respritory system is really clear and his breathing is getting stronger. He is very tired and we can only visit for ~15 min. and then he lets us know thats enough. His body has gone through quite a trama, rest is the best medicine right now. I really dont have alot to report as we really cant see him that much and not untill atleast 10 am so thanks for the patience waiting for the updates. Thats it for the night, I will talk to you all in the AM. Rest well everything is really great here. donna
What a wonderful day
Hi All,
Sorry this took so long to get up this am, but visiting hours arent until 10 am. When we arrived Brent was sleeping. His nurse, Elvi, told us he had been sitting in his chair and walking at bedside for the past 3 HOURS!!! Holy cow!!! can you believe it....fact, not fiction folks. He has already gotten a full meal of soup broth, jello, and orange sherbert (his all time favorite ice cream), and water. He looks great!! No noticable swelling or redness. The Dr's and nurses say he is doing incredibly well and are really satisfied with the procedure and his attitude and recovery so far. When he is unhooked from the drips, which may be today, he will be able to go for a walk around ICU. Hard to believe a person can be walking etc so soon after such a major surgery isnt it...He is in really great spirts and is doing really well with all of his breathing exercises. I think the biggest issue he will have is overdoing it.
Thank you all again for all of your concern and love, we all really appreciate it more that words can express. So....keep checking in. Every 2 hours we can go see Brent. We try to stick to the regular hours as we feel they are set up very specifically for a reason, and we certainly dont want to interfer with that purpose. Talk to you all soon,,,,,,donna
Vents out/lights out!!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Hi All,
We just got to visit with Brent. He is ready to go home he SAYS!!! He said" Whats a few tubes?!". Can you believe that!! Joking just a few hours after open heart surgery. He looks great....I cant even begin to describe the emotions running around my brain and body! Sheer elation is a good one, but most of all Gratitude!! He was doing rowing type exercise movements when we walked in the door of his ICU room. His eyes are really pretty clear and bright. He squeezed our hands with his normal strength and just smiled that beautiful sorta crooked smile of his.....gotta love it!! I'm sure the "happy" meds are talking some too, but I don't care whats doing it....its great!! Well folks, that's it for the night. We are exhausted too. Talk to you all in the AM!! Ciao..donna
A long Day
Hi All,
It certainly has been a long day...especially for Brent. He is in ICU and recovering really well. He is still ventalated and he is not liking that at all, but he is really alert. He recognized and understood us,
whether he will remember it, is another story. We will visit one more time at 8 PM, they should have the vent out by then and thats the way we want to see him before we leave. I can hardly believe how great he looks....he's totally blowing us away...incredible. All the Drs were in the room when we last saw him and they were all very happy with the surgery and really happy how alert he is already.! We are so relieved as I hope all of you will be too. Rest well and check in tomorrow. Im not sure if I will have the energy to blog anymore today....but feel free to check. Visiting hours are not untill 10 am. tomorrow so I wont have anything until after that.....thank you all for your support and love! donna
Its a wrap
Hal-la-lu-ja....Just talked to the surgeon. Brent is all closed up, no more leaky valve without having to replace it.We are so happy and blessed that he had such a wonderful team of professionals here at Stanford. I am so impressed!! The communication and coordination of so many people is unbelievable. Thank you all.
We will be able to see him in ICU in about 30 min. I will post after that as well. Long and Strong!! donna
Smooth so far
The nurse just gave us another update. The Aorta has been successfully replaced and they are now re-attaching he coronary arteries to his heart. Amazing!! He has been totally stable, with a very healthy heart! We will get another update in about an hour. I will get the news to you just as soon as I get it folks. Thank you all for your unwaivering faith and love.
Speaking of which, I just wanted to thank our Mom, who has always had unwaivering love and faith and (for sure) alot of patience. She is amazing and has had to make probably the hardest decision in her life this past 2 week. Her husband, Red, just had double knee replacements....which is no small deal either. It just so happened that the timing is terrible, but she had to make the hard decision of staying with her husband, and caring for him in his time of need, knowing that Brent would have his Dad and Sister here caring for him in his time of need. Thank you Mom, we all know you would be right here if the circumstances allowed it.
So....stay tuned....more to come in about an hour. donna
Great News
The nurse just came out and gave us our first update. The Drs are going to be able to SAVE the valve!! Ya-Hoo!! Other than that, everything else is running smoothly. We will get another update in about 2 hours.....keep checking and keep the faith. Thanks again for all the love and support.....donna
It Go Time
Its go Time!! We have the "A" Team today and Brent is in surgery as I am typing this. The morning went smooth and Brent is amazing. His surgery started at 8 am. and is about an 8 hour surgery. I will be updating this site as I get information. Thank you all for being such great friends and family....we are truley gratefull for all the support and love......thats it for now. Keep checking on us. donna
