Ron is about the same numbers-wise today... Still 40% O2, 97% O2 saturation.  Peep is still 8, respirations 24.  Bp was 113/84, and heart rate is 100 unless he's coughing, which he does a lot.  He has popped the vent off the trach tube again today by coughing so hard...  getting a bunch of stuff up and out of those lungs... 
 
The Physical Therapist did have him stand beside the bed today, and they thought about having him take a couple steps and sit in the chair, but he got lightheaded, so they stopped with just the standing by the bed.  He is moving arms and legs much more easily today. 
 
His pulmonologist, Dr. Tita (sp?) said this morning that he was ready to be discharged to a long-term care facility tomorrow.  The social worker was waiting for me when I got here, wanting me to make a decision about where.   There only are 4 facilities in the area that can take vents:  Heartland of Waterville, and Arbors of Sylvania, which are skilled nursing facilities, then Regency Hospital in Sylvania, and Advanced Specialty Hospital near MUO near S. Detroit Ave. and Glendale.  His pulmonologist, Dr. Tita, and his Infectious Disease Doctors, Dr. Jauregi and Dr. Awad (sp?) all go to Regency Hospital, so many phone calls and emails later, we finally decided on it. 
 
MEANWHILE, Dr. Awad (?) came in to see him and said his white count was up today.  She did not like that at all... ordered blood cultures and urine cultures, checked him all over for possible infection sites, and had everyone jumping to find out the cause.  He has not run a fever at all for at least 3 days, but she was not at all happy about that elevated white count!  She is so quiet and quick, but boy, do people jump when she speaks!  They had all the tests run within the hour!  I doubt that she will release him for discharge until she is satisfied about the white count. 
 
They took out the catheter, so little by little he is being disconnected from everything.  He was so excited when he heard the word "discharge".  He thought he was going to get to go home... was Very disappointed when he found out it would just be to another facility, and he may be there for up to another month. 
 
At this point I don't know whether he will be moved tomorrow or not...  Or what time it would happen if it is tomorrow.  I just found out the cultures take 3 days to get results back.
 
Thank you for keeping us in all your thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for all the hugs and good wishes.  Thanks for all the help with my classes and duties at school, with Ron's business, with the dogs, and for the babysitting for Lauren and Hannah.  Thank you Brenda and Rick for the wonderful home-cooked meals and company as I "fly by" on my way home.  You all are appreciated more than words can express!
 
Love,
EJ