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Original poster

My dad has been taken to the hospital

524 replies

Natsku · 26/03/2020 12:40

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.

OP posts:
Howmanysleepsnow · 19/04/2020 11:08

Great news Star

Maighdeann · 19/04/2020 19:33

Excellent news HmmThanks

Maighdeann · 19/04/2020 19:34

Sorry random face emoji appeared there

Original poster
Natsku · 19/04/2020 19:55

Wasn't able to video call today but he's doing well, making a bit more sense when he talks and being generally a bit more with it.

OP posts:
Lisette1940 · 19/04/2020 19:58

I'm so glad OP

coronade · 19/04/2020 20:32

That’s wonderful news 🤗🤗 so pleased for you.
I was feeling really down today as it’s my mums 90th birthday and I haven’t been able to see her or speak to her for 5 wks (she’s in a dementia carehome). This has really cheered me up.

Original poster
Natsku · 19/04/2020 21:20

Hope you'll be able to at least talk to your mum soon coronade

OP posts:
SlightyJaded · 21/04/2020 17:16

Hi @Natsku. How's your dad doing?

Original poster
Natsku · 21/04/2020 18:59

He was a bit worse this morning so they were worried they might have to reintubate but he didn't get any worse over the course of the day so they haven't done that yet at least. Really hope they won't need to, didn't even think of that possibility.

OP posts:
Casino218 · 21/04/2020 19:24

Thinking of you. X

BigFloppyBunny · 21/04/2020 19:32

Flowers Gosh what a roller coaster!
I hope your dad continues to make improvements day by day. It's not unusual to be reintubated if the patient isn't coping. He may just need a bit more time. Stay positive x

Original poster
Natsku · 22/04/2020 13:56

They've had to reintubate but they'll do the trach tomorrow

OP posts:
NewAccountForCorona · 22/04/2020 14:07

He'll be better on a trach; they can let him off that gradually. The fact that he's still going strong and that they are still treating him means they are very sure he will be fine in the end.

The success rates for weaning off trachs (according to dd who is working on a fully trach ward now) are very good; much, much better than the success rates for people who are taken straight off a ventilator.

Hope you and your mum are coping ok Flowers

Original poster
Natsku · 22/04/2020 14:14

I do figure that if they are still treating him this aggressively then they must think he has a good chance. Wonder if they'll start doing trach straight away then in other cases if they do better

OP posts:
NewAccountForCorona · 22/04/2020 15:01

They are starting to do that. Again anecdotally from dd, they are having a lot of trouble getting anyone off ventilators, so they are now trying to avoid putting people on them.

She's working in a ward that was originally a normal ward, converted to CCU in March, then to ITU, now it's fully trachy patients only. They have had to sort out the oxygen supply, done a lot of moving around, but things are looking a lot better now than they were a couple of weeks ago. They are really getting a handle on it now, it seems.

Fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
Natsku · 23/04/2020 06:36

What's it like for the trach patients @NewAccountForCorona? They've said they're still going to sedate him for a while because it can be uncomfortable to begin with, and once he's awake he won't be able to talk while the ventilation is on because there's something that blocks it, only when its switched off. That sounds a bit distressful to me, do patients get distressed by this? Being unable to speak?

OP posts:
Deblou43 · 23/04/2020 10:22

How is your dad hun sorry not had time to catch up on these

BoreOfWhabylon · 23/04/2020 10:25

If someone is breathing/being ventilated through a trache they can't speak as air bypasses the vocal chords, which are higher up than the trache. They can 'mouth' words though and when the vent is turned off they are able to speak. They can also write things down.

They aren't distressed in my experience and hopefully it won't be for long

Noworrieshere · 23/04/2020 10:58

Still thinking about your family @Natsku

NewAccountForCorona · 23/04/2020 11:01

They seem to do very well. dd says she has become an expert in lip-reading, and can now understand (and translate to family by phone) most of what her patients are saying. She says they come around slowly, usually sedated at first, but do very well and support can be gradually lowered, with patients slowly learning to breathe for themselves through the trachy.

She is sounding very enthusiastic and hopeful about her job now - the first time in weeks.

I recognise this is anecdotal - I don't want anyone to think I know anything, I'm not a medic.

Original poster
Natsku · 23/04/2020 11:03

Ok, hopefully then he won't be distressed.

Expect we'll get an update in the later afternoon today, once they see how the procedure goes.

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 23/04/2020 11:04

I’m still rooting for your dad too @Natsku.

Original poster
Natsku · 23/04/2020 11:05

Understand its anecdotal, but I suppose anecdotal info is a bit more reassuring than hard data right now. Statistics don't tell how they feel but nurses have a good idea of it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Natsku · 23/04/2020 17:33

It went ok and he's stable.

OP posts:
MargotEmin · 23/04/2020 17:52

Pleased it went well Natsku, onwards and upwards