Friends and family,
We are continuing to hope for the best with dad’s recovery, but, as we’ve seen more than once in the last couple months, this isn’t an easy road. Unfortunately, most of the grafts placed on dad’s left leg in the last surgery did not take. The doctors say this is due to bacteria on the graft site and they are remedying the problem by applying a super strong ointment that should kill most of the bugs before the next surgery. This means dad still has two big surgeries to go.
Dad was also diagnosed with a urinary tract infection two days ago and has small levels of bacteria in his blood. We were told that both of these problems are not unexpected due to the amount of tubes dad has been connected to for all this time. He has been running a fever, but this has come down in the last 24 hours.
The staff also told us his level of sedation has been decreased. While they would like to increase the sedation to keep him comfortable, they struggle with keeping his blood pressure in a normal range. As a result, dad is more active now and responded quite a bit during our visit last night and this morning. He is clearly observing much of what is going on around him and has communicated a lot by shaking his head yes and no. He has also mouthed words, although we’re having a hard time making out exactly what he is trying to say.
During our visit this weekend, we reread all his get-well cards, website posts and emails. It is amazing how much he responded to these… smiling at the details, fun comments and names of his close friends – past and present. We’ve posted two photos, taken last night, in the Gallery. One is of the cabinet at the foot of Dad’s hospital bed, where we taped all of his cards so that he can easily see them. The other is the binder we’ve created to keep all the website posts and emails. Please keep them all coming… we read them every visit.
At the moment, dad is still on the ventilator full time, but he is doing most of the work on minimal settings. Doctors will start to take him off in the next couple days, but the amount of time he will stay off depends on how his heart rate is affected. Doctors also continue to provide medication to control the atrial fibrillation and flutter. There have been a couple occasions where his heart rate dropped to a low number, so the doctors are being careful to find the right balance of too much and too little.
It is exciting (and remarkable) to see how well dad’s face is healing. He looks great! There are a few noticeable scars, including the graft on his left eye, but overall we are really happy with how good he looks. On a lighter note, it has been many years since we’ve seen dad without a beard. We told him yesterday he looks 10 years younger without it. We’re not sure how well he took that!
Thanks, as always, for keeping dad in your thoughts and prayers. We are proud of you and love you very much, dad!
Colin and Ian
Colin and Ian,
Your dad is an amazing man, and you are also indeed amazing. God bless you all in this long term trial. We will continue as always to keep you in our prayers. Thank you for the updates!!
Heather and Rick
Colin, Sr., Colin II and Ian,
Please don’t get discourage. We already knew this was going to be a long road but remember you are not alone. All of Colins friends are behind you, praying. We’re also not going to stop until Colin is home giving us all a hard time.
God place your arms around Colin to comfort him and kiss he’s forehead so he can rest. Place your gentle hands over his grafts so they may heal and over heart to keep it in sinus rhythm. Protect Colin from anymore infection and help his grafts heal. Clear up his UI. Bless all the hands that come in contact with Colin. In his name we pray. Amen
Colin, we love you and can’t wait to tell you. I’m here for you waiting my friend.
Love Janet
Wow Colin, your journey is amazing. You always said if I needed anything I only need to call, I have a favor when your well. Take care my friend, you and your boys are amazing.