Friday September 14, 2018
Charlottesville Virginia
I mentioned in my last happy post that both David and I had colds which were keeping us from visiting our new grandson.
Since he was not feeling well with the cold, we left the Great Smoky Mountains early and moved to Charlottesville on Tuesday August 29. He was at the doctor the next day, They did some tests and put him on antibiotics. When things had only gotten worse in the next week and I could not keep his fever down without giving him 1000 mg of tylenol every 6 hours, I took him to the ER and he was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia on Thursday September 6. They put him on a wider spectrum antibiotic and on oxygen as his O2 count was low upon admission.
It has been up and down since then. They have done all sorts of tests, cultures and procedures in an attempt to see if there are other agents at work here and have come up with nothing but the rhino virus. This past Monday they did a bronchoscopy which seemed to go well until a couple hours after the procedure when his temperature spiked to 104, his respiration dropped precipitously, his BP shot up as did his heart rate. He was on the edge of ICU admission but they managed to stabalize him. VERY scary.
It has taken 3 days to recover from that but this past 24 hours he has had no fever which is a very good thing. Still he remains in the hospital until he can breathe on his own, is strong enough to climb 5 steps. and continues with no fevers.
The pictures are telling.
Feeling well enough to insist on having his head shaved to get rid of the Einstein look and to smile about it. Tylenol must have been keeping his fever must have been normal at this point
Six days later, the day of the bronchoscopy
Through it all, the one thing that never faultered was his appetite. No matter how badly he felt, he was able and anxious to eat. Such a good thing since it has helped him to weather yet another storm.
This picture was taken yesterday. He’s looking and feeling much better and this morning had gone for 24 hours with no fever for the first time in nearly three weeks.
We’re hopeful that this is the start of the recovery that will lead to his discharge.
We want to advise you to be grateful every minute for your good health and to get a full physical at least once a year. Things can change over night as they did for us. David was the healthiest person we knew until that surprise day in January of 2012.
So thankful David is improving. . .
ReplyDeleteThank goodness David is eating well, he needs that nutrition to give him the strength to get well. He is a fighter for sure. Plus the Yul Brynner look shows it!
ReplyDeleteSherry, thank you for the photos.....and update on David. We are always anxiously awaiting news, as you know, and thank you for the personal updates when necessary. I, too, am thankful for David's appetite, which will help him regain his strength. the latter photos show him looking more like the David we know and love. I am painfully aware of our mortality at this stage in life....and do appreciate the moments. Love his new "do". Keep fighting, David!!!
ReplyDeleteGood to get this update and see David has turned the corner toward restored health. So sorry you're both going through this :-( Hugs to both of you. When you get a minute, change the year on this post :-))
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear David is recovering. Hope that means he's headed home very soon. You are both troopers. Big HUGS!
ReplyDeleteSending you and David both lots of good vibes for continued strength and courage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post...we have been so worried!!! Hope David continues to improve and can get home soon. Hospital aren't a good place to be once you are healthy;-(( Hope you are feeling better as well Sherry. You both will be in our thoughts and prayers!!!
ReplyDeleteWe're so sorry to hear that David has had such a rough time—and so relieved that he's doing better. A healthy appetite is always a good sign! Sending hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and David. So glad to hear David has turned the corner. Hope David continues to make progress and can return home. Love that he still has his appetite:)
ReplyDeleteVery scary. I hope David continues to improve. Thank God he's still eating because that's always helpful for recovery. Our thoughts are with you both.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers are with David during this time of struggle with his health issues. Hoping he will be able to return home soon and be able to spend time with your new grandson.
ReplyDeleteSherry so happy to hear that David appears to have made the turn and is recovering. A good appetite is definitely a good sign. Continued prayers for his recovery. Don't forget to take care of yourself during this, as well.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about these latest health issues and hope things continue to improve. Must have been very stressful, especially since it happened while your new grandson was on the way.
ReplyDeleteThe shaved head looks great!
I'm sorry to hear that, but fortunately it seems he's turned the corner for a recovery.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of this stumbling block ... glad that David is improving.
ReplyDeleteSuch an exhausting and horrible ordeal. I SO hope for continued recovery for David, and back to at least a vague semblance of normal life for you, Sherry. ***hug***
ReplyDeleteOh no, sorry for this set back for David. But he looks good but he always looks so healthy and happy. Sounds like David is on the mend and that is great news. Take care of yourselves.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a rough time is behind him now. Hope you continue to get back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the worse is behind him and he continues to improve. We never take our time here for granted, trying to live as much as we can every day.
ReplyDeleteI think you should always keep a pie in the fridge/freezer as a test on bad weeks like this. Just like his appetite in the hospital, if David dives in as he always does, thing are going to be OK. If he doesn't grab a fork and indulge, then it's time for the ER for sure. Get well David! Keep Smiling Sherry!!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry David has had to go through all of this but I'm glad to hear it appears he is on the road to recovery. It's wonderful he has such a good appetite.
ReplyDeleteThis is a setback for now but I hope everything improves day by day. For being in the hospital David sure looks good and healthy! Thank goodness for his appetite. I have never been able to even stand the look and smell of hospital food, so if he can still eat he's ahead of the game! I hope to hear continued good news.
ReplyDeleteNo question that David is a fighter! It has really been an up and down roller coaster for both of you. Hopefully he will continue to improve and be able to do some of the things he enjoys.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry for how difficult things have been, but also encouraged as it sounds that you are, that David shows some signs of improving. It has been a truly amazing journey that you have shared with us, and you know we are all rooting for David, and for your, and for your grandbabies to have more time with their grandfather. Big hugs to you, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteWith a big appetite such as David's then it is a good sign. Life is really full of curve balls. Hope that by the time you read this, David is already out of the hospital. Both of you are fighters, and I know you will weather this storm once again. Hugs to you, Sherry, the caregiver's job is also a challenge.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that he is improving:) I also admire his ability to deal with these many issues and still keep going:) I am sure I would be a complete basket case. We are cheering the both of you on!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of another episode for David, but glad to hear he's recovering. Thinking about you two. Love David's hair cut :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a coward. I was afraid to come back and look for David. What a relief that he has weathered another storm--what a courageous guy! I don't recall ever seeing a waking picture of David without a smile. Unbelievable. I don't know how you handle all you do, Sherry. You are so right on with your advice, though. Life can change so quickly so when you have your health, you have everything. When you have your health, you can enjoy life to its fullest--don't miss a moment.
ReplyDeleteThis particular hurtle is in the past now, but it is nonetheless true that our health is paramount to happiness in this life. I cannot thank you enough for all you do to support Dad in this really tough battle. He and I are extremely lucky to have you. It can never be stressed enough - thank you, thank you, thank you!
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