A few have asked about visiting Walter. Visitors are pretty much limited to family while he's in acute intensive care. Hopefully he'll move to intermediate care within the next couple of weeks, at which point that may change. I'll keep everyone updated.
Therapy picked up yesterday. Occupational, physical and speech therapists evaluated him. I did not hear any feedback from the occupational and physical therapists, but the speech therapist was encouraged. She said his tongue movement is good and she got him to say "yes". Again, a suggestion for prayer direction: pray that Walter will not succumb to discouragement. Lyn sensed yesterday that he stopped responding after a while with the speech therapist, as if he became frustrated at his inability to do formerly simple things. Or it may just be that he gets tired.
The speech therapist recommended that the doctors remove the nasogastric tube from his nose and throat and install a "peg" directly into his stomach for nourishment. Removing the NG tube should make speaking easier and allow his throat to recover; he has indicated that his throat is sore. We expect that to happen today. The doctors are also beginning to wean him off the tube that relieves that vetricle pressure in the brain. That process takes a few days. Again, one of the current goals is to remove all tubes and get his body working on its own again.
Several people have asked about bringing food. Some wonderful friends have us covered for about the next week-and-a-half, I believe. I'll update as we go.
Best to all.
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If there is a time that the family needs to take a break or needs to handle other things, I would be more than happy to stay with Walt. I would even be more than happy to take a night shift so someone could sleep in their own bed. Walt and I started Life together two years ago and I am a nurse so am very familiar with the setting. Just let me know what I can do. Thanks -Diane
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