Greg Covid - Day 15 -- Tracheostomy Surgery is Scheduled

I spoke with Nurse Julie last night around 9:15 p.m.  She really helped to alleviate my fears about Greg getting the trach.  She said that it's better to have a trach than have a vent and that it's more about a prolonged type thing, as far as having a tube go down the throat that way.  She said that they have a lot of covid patients that have a trach and most are doing pretty good in a long term acute care unit.  A trach is not forever, but there is more risk for damage and complications from leaving the vent in and being intubated for so long.  She has another patient that has a trach and is off medication to sedate him and is able to communicate, able to smile, etc.  

In order to not need the trach, he would have to be able to hold his oxygen and come down on the vent settings, and then turn off vent and specialized mask that fits across the trach to give supplemental oxygen.  When he doesn’t need that, then the trach would be able to be removed.  He may have to have a PEG tube (a feeding tube that he had when he has esophageal cancer).  He would also work with a speech therapist to get muscles in throat working again, then assess how well he can feed himself, and make sure he can eat normally before removing the PEG tube.   

She said he’s not happy when they go down on sedation.  He did open his eyes when he heard my voice on the phone, but his BP went up.  Hmmm, what's he trying to tell us!  Ha!  (Yes, I made a joke there)  As long as he gets through this, he would be able to get back to things like before.  He’s doing OK on the current vent settings and is holding steady.  The trach will buy him more time with less damage to his vocal cords.  Once he is well enough to leave ICU, then he would go to a to long term care facility.   

The body’s response to the virus is what causes problems for people.  It's an over-reaction of immune system to the virus.  Covid is mainly in nasal, pharynx area and then settles in the lungs.  The immune system basically attacks the lungs and causes the problems with oxygenation.  That’s why they use steroids, which will knock down the immune system so it’s not so over-reactive.  Once the immune system realizes there is no longer a threat, that’s when it calms down.  

I spoke with Nurse Julie again at about 5:50 this morning.  Overnight was pretty much uneventful.  They had to adjust his blood pressure meds, but he's been at same rate for about 5 hours now and holding steady.  Otherwise everything is pretty much the same.   Vent is at 55%.  

I checked our insurance and a skilled nursing/extended care facility is covered for up to 120 days per year, so we have good coverage. Because it’s the end of the year, he could possibly have six months of coverage (2 months in 2021 and 4 more months in 2022) if he would have to stay that long.  

ARound 1:15 p.m. today, I spoke to Nurse Martin.  He said Greg was having a little better day today.  He was able to decrease the sedation and blood pressure meds, but the vent is still at 60%.  He looks better today than yesterday and actually said  “He looks so much more comfortable on the vent.”   He said they tweaked a few things, but he is still requiring same amount of oxygen, but definitely more comfortable today.   He also said that a trach will be a lot more comfortable for him and we can wean his sedation more.   Martin also told me: “I’ve been doing this 11 years, and I’m pretty good at figuring out who will make it on the trach, and I think he has a really good chance.” 

I had to take mom to Marshfield for an appointment with her bone doctor, and just as we were about to get on the elevator, Greg's surgeon's resident called me.  As I was already on the campus, and seeing as I had to sign for the surgery, it made sense to go to their office when I was done with mom.  Turns out their office was right across the hall from mom's doctor!  Greg's surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.   Some hospitals will not do a surgery if the patient still has covid, but Marshfield said that in situations such as Greg's, they will do the surgery whether he tests positive or not.  Obviously, we want him to test negative!   The surgery generally takes about an hour, but they are allowing 1-1/2 hours, due to Greg's history of esophageal cancer.  They don't want to rush anything.  After the surgeon left, his resident told me that if his wife or kids needed a surgery like this, this is the surgeon he would want to do it, because he’s the best!  That gives me some reassurance. 

I am going to take off work Wednesday to be at the hospital.  If Greg tests negative, then I should be able to see him after the surgery!   All in all, I'm feeling a little better than I was yesterday.  The nurses did a great job of reassuring me, and I'm happy with everything the surgeon and his resident told me.  It's going to be a long recovery for Greg, but since when does he ever do things the easy way?   

Please continue your prayers for Greg.  Please specifically pray that his fevers come down and he tests negative for Covid!  Pray for his doctors and especially his surgeon and that the surgery for the trach goes without any complications.  Pray that the trach will work for him and he is able to start a full-fledged recovery.  If you don't know what to pray, or how to pray, just say "Jesus."  That is a prayer all in itself and He knows what Greg needs and what you are trying to say.    

Today's picture is an old one, and probably my favorite picture of him, ever!  I don't think he was even 30 years old yet (probably around 1984 or 1985)!  This was taken by his cousin, Joe, when he was studying photography and developing pictures (way back in the dark ages!).  I had this picture on my desk for years and years and years.  There's just something about it.  The bibs, the towel around his neck (he had been doing dishes when Joe recruited him), the hand on the hip, the dark glasses . . .  Yep, that's my Iron Man!  

Love, peace and prayers to all!  

Julie