Ron is now in room 402, out of ICU.  He is only on 2 mg of Atavan today, so is very emotional and frustrated.  He still is trying to talk, and we can't always tell what he is saying.  His chest xray looked "much better" this a.m. according to Sheila, the nurse he had yesterday and this morning in ICU.  He is still on Cefepine antibiotic.  His temp. was 98.4 when she took it at about 1:30.  He's on 50% O2 input, which is up from yesterday, but I assumed that was due to the move.  His O2 saturation is 98%, peep 8, respirations 24.  His heart rate is 95, bp 120/76.   His nurse now is Leah, and she's very nice.  He likes her.  They brought him a fan because the room is too warm to suit him, so some things we can figure out that he wants.  He asked for the TV remote, but couldn't push hard enough to change the channel. 
 
The floor charge nurse was in to welcome him to the floor, and said this is the "Step-Down" unit.  They will slowly start to wean him from the ventillator, lowering the settings, and eventually change to like a Bi-Pap Machine, and then to an O2 tube.  Then they can take out the trach when he does well on the O2 tube. 
 
He asked Leah for some 7-Up, and she brought him a can of Sierra Mist with a sponge on a stick to let him suck some into his mouth.  He smiled a huge smile and mouthed, "Thanks!"  
 
He was asking how all this happened, and I tried to explain about the pneumonia, but he probably won't remember the next time he wakes up...
 
They came and put in a different IV- pic (sp?) line - in his arm, and will be taking out the central line in his neck.  He doesn't have to have the blood pressure cuff on all the time, and he's happy about that. 
 
I'll write more later.  Dr. coming in...
 
Love,
EJ
 
 

Ron is being moved right now to the "Guarded Care" unit- it is a step down from the ICU. Yea!!! We'll update more later this afternoon after he gets settled into his room and we get to talk with his new nurse.