Well, we got to stay on the floor for about eighteen hours!
We got back to the hospital this morning to find the room full to overflowing with medical personnel. I guess he didn't do well at all overnight: he spiked a fever of 103.6 and was consistently desatting into the forties and fifties. That sort of thing is beyond what the basic floor nurses are comfortable dealing with, and this does seem to indicate some underlying issues, so we got sent back to the ICU and our glass-walled bathroom.
Brandt is less stable now than he was when he came out of surgery, so this feels like a lot more than two steps back, but the actual degree of worry required will become more clear when we have the results from the X-ray and echo and cultures and nasal swabs that they did this morning. While they got the fever under control last night, they're still having a very hard time keeping his sats up. Currently, he's on high flow oxygen, at about 12 liters per minute (vs the two that he was on after being extubated) and back on the nitric oxide to expand his blood vessels and get circulation to the lungs a little better. He's also sedated to keep him calm and NPO, because with the oxygen flow set that high, there's a large risk of aspiration. They've started him on a few new medications as well: a new round of antibiotics, just in case, and one to boost his heart function, among others.
As to possible causes, there are quite a few. We do know that his cold flared up after surgery because of the lung inflammation caused by being on bypass. He's had a slight cough and some nasal congestion since he woke up. It doesn't make sense that it would get worse again, though, considering the basic life cycle of a virus. It could be that he caught another virus while here...possible, but unlikely considering the precautions they use. It could also be caused by the narrowing of one of his pulmonary arteries...something we know is already there, but thought wouldn't be an issue for a while. There's a slight possibility that he picked up a bacterial infection as well, but so far, the cultures have come back negative. Of course, there could be a slower growing bacteria that would take longer to show up, so they won't give an official yes or no for another few days.
Essentially, right now, we're just guessing and throwing the metaphorical kitchen sink at him to cover the bases until the tests start coming back.
Currently, he's sleeping (drug induced) and satting in the 80's, but one never knows how long that will last. The nurses, meanwhile, are keeping a very close eye on him, and I'll update as we learn more!
We got back to the hospital this morning to find the room full to overflowing with medical personnel. I guess he didn't do well at all overnight: he spiked a fever of 103.6 and was consistently desatting into the forties and fifties. That sort of thing is beyond what the basic floor nurses are comfortable dealing with, and this does seem to indicate some underlying issues, so we got sent back to the ICU and our glass-walled bathroom.
Brandt is less stable now than he was when he came out of surgery, so this feels like a lot more than two steps back, but the actual degree of worry required will become more clear when we have the results from the X-ray and echo and cultures and nasal swabs that they did this morning. While they got the fever under control last night, they're still having a very hard time keeping his sats up. Currently, he's on high flow oxygen, at about 12 liters per minute (vs the two that he was on after being extubated) and back on the nitric oxide to expand his blood vessels and get circulation to the lungs a little better. He's also sedated to keep him calm and NPO, because with the oxygen flow set that high, there's a large risk of aspiration. They've started him on a few new medications as well: a new round of antibiotics, just in case, and one to boost his heart function, among others.
As to possible causes, there are quite a few. We do know that his cold flared up after surgery because of the lung inflammation caused by being on bypass. He's had a slight cough and some nasal congestion since he woke up. It doesn't make sense that it would get worse again, though, considering the basic life cycle of a virus. It could be that he caught another virus while here...possible, but unlikely considering the precautions they use. It could also be caused by the narrowing of one of his pulmonary arteries...something we know is already there, but thought wouldn't be an issue for a while. There's a slight possibility that he picked up a bacterial infection as well, but so far, the cultures have come back negative. Of course, there could be a slower growing bacteria that would take longer to show up, so they won't give an official yes or no for another few days.
Essentially, right now, we're just guessing and throwing the metaphorical kitchen sink at him to cover the bases until the tests start coming back.
Currently, he's sleeping (drug induced) and satting in the 80's, but one never knows how long that will last. The nurses, meanwhile, are keeping a very close eye on him, and I'll update as we learn more!
Were watch for every update and our love and prayers go out to Brandt and his mom and dad. Grandma and Grandpa VanDermyden.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Kara. Sending tons of love from Alaska. xxxooo
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with you. We will be watching for your updates. So glad Tanner is with you Kara! Aunt Joan and Uncle Terry
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Tanner is there to be with you. Not easy! Thinking positive! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Tanner is there to be with you. Not easy! Thinking positive! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteSending hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you all!!! You are in our prays.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you all!!! You are in our prays.
ReplyDeleteWhat a warrior he is! We think of you often and send our love. What a wonderful team you have working for you at the hospital... and another wonderful team praying for you!
ReplyDelete