Dad had surgery yesterday to insert the pins in his pelvis. Surgery went smoothly and Dad is still in ICU. They are carefully monitoring his breathing and all internal organs as they are adjusting to the stress of the accident. He is still on the respirator and is over-breathing it a bit (which they don't want him to do) so they are giving him some morphine to slow him down.
Dad had a bad cough for a few weeks before the accident and it looks like he may have had a low-level case of pneumonia - so that is hampering his lungs. Right now, the major concern is his breathing and his kidneys - again, all the internal organs are adjusting to the stress of the accident.
They have detected a slight facture in the upper neck and x-rayed his left arm today to see if there are any fractures there. For his neck, they will keep him in a neck brace for 6-8 weeks, but are encouraged that he able to move his arms, legs, fingers, etc. They do not detect any spinal cord injury.
He is quite swollen from the accident and all the fluids they are giving him. This morning, the nurse told him to raise his arms over his head several times, and squeeze his hands into fists several times. This is to help reduce the swelling. As expected, dad continued to do this until we told him to stop (like an hour later!!!) The doctor came by and we were talking with him and turned around, and there's dad, lifting his arms and squeezing his fingers like he was told. We told him that Dad will do exactly as he's told - he wants out of here!
Thank you for all the notes and emails and prays for Dad. He has a long way to go, but is a strong man. They brought a tv in for him - and even though he can't turn his head to see it, he likes listening.
Titus got a haircut today - he was in desperate need. And we were laughing because we do believe that he sees some peripherally - well, he could certainly see the scissors coming at him cause he would turn his head toward it like all my other boys did at that age. He is enjoying hearing - he keeps looking for where the sound comes from. But, because he keeps moving his head a lot, the magnetic attachment keeps getting brushed off. We can get a stronger external magnet, but hope the haircut and some toupee tape will help.
2 comments:
We're praying for your Dad! I'm glad he's doing everything they tell him!!
P B A N T C,
Wow! How far you have come in the past year &1/2. the lessons you have learned & are teaching others are so very profound.
Paul, you have a gift for writing. I am awed at how you have allowed God to be bigger than your circumstances. No one can ever say that your family has put God in a box, limiting how He can work.
I know that you have so much to face in the coming week with Paul's Dad & Titus' next surgery.
I was so inspired to see Titus this morning after church. I have witnessed a miracle, seeing Titus recognize those who love him so. His smile is enchanting & he radiates his love for his family.
I know that God will work through your Dad's accident & care for him in the same way he has cared for your family these past months. Parkland is a difficult commute for your Mom, I will pray for her to rest well when she has the chance. Your dad will have the nurses charmed in a short amount of time I'm sure. The will most likely be talking about how sweet your parents are.
Becky & Titus will be on my prayer list as they go through the next hospital stay. Right now, I am praying for your family's general health & well being in the coming days. I am praying that God will send the right caregivers to your family & that your needs will be met, especially this week. Becky, if you think of something I can do let me know.
Love to you all,
Mary McWilliams
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