After yesterday's post, which ended on a high, he's taken a step back today. They said he's been unsettled in the night and still is this morning. They changed his sedation to one that leaves the system within 10 minutes, and they took him off it at 6 this morning. The physio is with him working on his chest and he is coughing up lots because of his infection. He isn't really responding to their voices today and certainly isn't obeying commands.
Is it normal to be like this one day and then back to square one the next day?
I wasn't necessarily expecting a lot of progress daily, but wasn't expecting him to go backwards.
I'm either high or low, no in-between. So happy last night, and today feeling so sick
Hi Castleview, sorry to hear that it sounds like a step backwards. Perhaps it's due to the change in sedation last night that he had unsettled night. Unfortunately I don't enough to say if it's normal or not in this situation. Is he still having antibiotics and has he still got the infection?
Could just be that too, strong antibiotics have side effects, so I'm personally thinking it could be that on top of everything ie,: the operation and infection. The physio is working with him which isn't pleasant but it is getting positive results if he's bringing up lots of stuff off chest and lungs. Is he still sedated or awake?
So I think him being off sedation in the day is a positive, but he must be exhausted too with everything and perhaps that is why not doing as asked by the hospital staff. Still very early days. I wish I could offer advice but other than try to make sure You eat and drink and try to look after yourself whilst your husband is being looked after in hospital until he is out of ICU. We're all here too to help as much as is possible. Prayers and gentle hugs for you both 🫶🙏🤞
Things are not always smooth sailing, and that’s ok. You just have to remind yourself that he really is in the best place. He sounds like he has a great medical team behind him and that you are getting regular updates. I know some wards can be so short staffed and busy that they don’t even have the time to pick up the phone. I remember when my mum was quite sick, the ward had only limited us to one phone call per day to get an update on her, and even that was rushed.
I hope you find some comfort in knowing that although you are not with him, you can pick up the phone when you want to and call the ward to see how he is doing.
Tos
Hi
I'm recovering from openheart surgery and it is certainly like a game of snakes and ladders, forwards then backwards, upwards then downwards, I was told this is very normal and that recovery is NOT a straightforward line upwards but its like little waves and they look for trends in recovery, it can take a long time for some, others find it easier and much depends on yr previous general health and fitness levels and any other existing medical conditions.
We are all sending you our prayers and wishes for both his recovery and for you yourself, you must make sure to keep yourself as well as you can as you need yr strength to support him,
Facetime by phone or tablet if unable to personally visit is a great idea if its possible
Hugs❤️
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He's not awake to facetime. This time last week he was halfway through the operation
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it's still very early Days in recovery for him especially with a nasty infection which may have a great bearing on things, lots for him to battle through, even if he's not awake he would still be able to hear yr voice, but I guess that's depending on a staff member helping on the call and they maybe don't have the time sadly
It's so difficult to know - have you asked the nursing staff to explain why he seems to have taken a step backwards? They would be able to say if this is usual.When I read this I wondered whether he was agitated because he couldn't work out where you & your son had gone after responding to you both yesterday. Time doesn't mean anything to him just now I wouldn't think and infections can do weird things to the mind too plus ICU is very disorientating too.
Hoping for better news for you as the day passes and probably more staff will be looking at his care and treatment plans throughout the day.
I asked was it likely due to the change of sedation, she just said "I've no idea". Hopefully if I can get there tomorrow, it's the nurse who was on yesterday and she's really on top of it and good at explaining
That isnt very helpful or an appropriate way to speak to you! Are you speaking to one of the nurses? You could ask to speak to the ICU sister or a doctor (not the previous one you mentioned) and maybe they would be able to give more information. Have you tried contacting PALS at the hospital to help you get more info?
It was his nurse for today. It's one to one nursing for him, all the others I've spoken to the last week have been great. Hoping for better news when I call this evening
Your emotions must be all over the place I feel so much for you
In normal recovery after this op we have good days and bad days so I am thinking maybe this is the same when the recovery has not gone quite to plan he will have good days and not as good days
Later you could phone and he is doing better which we will stay positive and hope so or tomorrow might be a better day when you visit
It is good that he is getting that infection up so his body is fighting these things of and that is one positive today which one is better than none so we will take that
We are all here willing him on and here to support you so many of us I think even not knowing you both personally have taken you into our thoughts you are not alone
It is normal , although distressing for us to see to have these ups and downs in this situation, especially if your husband has an infection and they are trying to keep him awake or do physical treatment in him.The physical treatment is necessary to prevent the infection settling and causing excess fluid in the lungs , but if your hubbys brain is trying to tell his body to stay at rest to heal it can make him less responsive again.
When more severe post op situations happen recovery can be a snails pace and can sometimes be one step forward to steps back.
I know they did a scan but have they decided to do an MRI on the brain ?
Has he had any recent blood tests?
It's good to find out and get the results for his home records.
It's also good to ask them exactly what medications he is getting now to write down too.
Try to keep positive. My Uncle went through this because of an infection , it took some weeks and we thought the worst but he did recover. I think you just need to keep hope and keep family with you for support to get through the following weeks because this is hard on you too, hugs, Bee
Castleview, thinking of you, and trusting you have better news later on. Your hubby's infection must be exhausting for him, so perhaps that has something to do with his reduced responses to commands? He's off sedation during the day, though, and the chest physio. is helping, so I hope these can be taken as positives. And you may well find that a face to face talk with hubby's nurse tomorrow will be easier than discussing your concerns and his progress on the phone 🤞🦉
He has been through a lot just lately, but as the others have said it may be the change in sedation etc. When I had my heart op there was a gent who was really unsettled, not responding etc when I went in, when I came out he was sat out, and generally with it. Stay positive and use us as a sounding/moaning board xx
I'm sorry there is not better news today but my father is in hospital at the moment after a stoke and every time he gets a infection at all he gets very confused , doesn't know who anyone is and just wants to sleep until the antibiotics do their thing. Hopefully this will be the case with your husband . Just know that we are all with you hoping for a good outcome xx
Once the antibiotics start working you should see a difference, coughing up all the rubbish is really important. Having such an evasive surgery and an infection on top of that was always going to be tough. We are all here for you,
I also understand your reaction due to this - his body has taken the operation now fighting an infection it’s a lot isn’t it! The physio will keep coming back as often as is necessary to clear his chest - he can’t clear them himself right now an the continue to produce naturally, when the tubes are there, but infection will cause production of lots if sputum (like when we get a chest infection. Let’s keep hope that as soon as his antibiotics kick in he’ll turn it all around (some infections can be more stubborn to shift. 🤗🤗
Hope today brings more positive news and you get to speak to the “nice” nurse.
Fingers crossed that the antibiotics are really kicking in by now and that makes a big difference. It’s good that they have reduced the sedation etc (but appreciate to you it must be seeming to be tiny steps forwards.)
I can only imagine how tough this is for you, but please try to look after yourself. Fingers crossed for positive news xx
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