My dad has been taken to the hospital

[Natsku]

Don't know for sure if its corona but I expect he will be tested now but I'm very worried, he has heart health problems so isn't healthy to begin with but now his oxygen sat levels are low so they've taken him in.

Just need a hand hold I suppose. I have to find the positives here, at least its before the peak so there are beds.

Try and stay positive. Another day on the new meds might make all the difference 🙏

A little improvement today, maybe the new meds are kicking in

How's your Mum faring Natsku?

I think she's worried but she doesn't let on. I think she must be back to work soon, she took some holiday time but she already booked the rest of her time off in the summer and can't change it. But I suppose it'll at least be distracting for now.

Still thinking positive thoughts for your dad @Natsku 🤞

Thanks

Come on Natsku's dad! We are so rooting for you to make a full recovery.

Thinking of you and your dad, Natsku. It's good there are positive improvements even if it's not going as quickly as hoped.

I've just read the thread. Fingers crossed for your dad.

Fingers crossed today brings better news.

Fingers crossed for your dad

Thanks all, hopefully today brings good news

Best wishes for your Dad today. We are all routing for him to keep getting stronger.

Fingers crossed for you

Hope he's had a comfortable night and that there's sufficient improvement today for them to attempt taking him off the ventilator again.

Positive thoughts for you and yours!

They tried to take him off but it wasn't successful and now they are thinking of putting in a tracheostomy tube which sounds a bit scary to me, does anyone know much about it?

I lurk on her OP, I don't know much myself but DD is an ITU nurse. She has said this sometimes happens when they remove ventilation. Try not to worry.

Natsku - I'm not medical, so please take this with a pinch of salt, but from what I know, COVID is affecting patients differently to normal ARDS. Inflammation of the airways can mean ventilation is difficult, which could possibly account for the tracheotomy. Don't quote me on that - you'd be much better off asking his doctor/nurse as to why. Sorry to hear no improvement yet.

Likewise, removing ventilation is difficult apparently due to swollen airways. You really should ask the nurse to explain the process and reasons for it to you.

Are you getting the information from your Mum or are you getting to speak to nurse/doctor personally?

It's fairly common for patients who have been ventilated for quite a while to have a tracheostomy. There's a few reasons - it's more comfortable than a tube that goes through the mouth, so you can reduce the level of sedation. This means that patients can start to breathe for themselves while still being ventilated and this can help reduce the dependency on the ventilator and help with weaning. Sometimes patients will be able to come off the ventilator for a bit and breathe for themselves, but then get tired and need a bit of help again. A tracheostomy means that you can easily reattach them to the ventilator without needing to resedate them.

It's also less damaging to the voice box and help prevent problems with speech later on.

I would see it as a positive move and that he still appears to be heading in the right direction.

I'm just getting it from mum so just a brief synopsis of what they are telling her.

Oh that sounds better reallybadidea I don't think they explained that to mum because she thought it was drastic and thought the news might panic us

I should have said that it doesn't mean he'll be off the ventilator any time soon, but it's not unusual or a very risky procedure.