Saturday, March 20, 2010
Hospital Count Days: 23
Saturday has probably been the most difficult since entering the hospital 3 weeks ago. My oxygen has continued to decline and the doctors still have no explanation. In the morning, Ace continued to work with my breathing exercises to help strengthen my lungs. The nutritionists also put me on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition). This allows them to pump all my food directly into the bloodstream through the PICC line. At around 10:30 the doctors came into my room and said that they decided it would be best for me to be put on a ventilator. This would give my lungs a chance to heal while still giving my body the appropriate amount o' oxygen. At 11:00 the procedure was started, and by 2:00 I was able to have visitors again.
Ace being a good coach.
He is such an encouragement.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
Kinda looks like milk...I hope they know I'm lactose intolerant.
Kinda looks like milk...I hope they know I'm lactose intolerant.
All the equipment for the ventilator procedure.
Diprivan
To make sure I stay asleep and don't feel a thing.
To make sure I stay asleep and don't feel a thing.
The ventilator that's gonna help me get all better.
Dr. Alan J. Rosenbloom(right) performed the procedure while the other doctor assisted.
One final goodbye.
/\/\/\ON THE VENTILATOR/\/\/\
"Love You, Honey"
"Love You, Honey"
What a surprise, Mom and Dad Finnegan came all the way from Ohio to see me. Here is Dad telling me to get better.
/\/\/\FAMILY HOUSE/\/\/\
Since Ace came out to see me over a week ago, he has spent every night in the hospital. What a treat when Mom and Dad Finnegan got him his own room at the Family House. The Family House is a non-profit organization that houses patients and their families. The house is only about a mile from the hospital, so Ace and his parents can even walk to come and see me.
Ace's Room
And Again.
Bathroom
Shower
/\/\/\ONE LAST VISIT/\/\/\
Ace and Mom & Dad stopped up for one last visit before going to bed. While they were there, the nurse changed my TPN. It looks like I will be snacking on some Mt. Dew for the night. I hope it doesn't keep me up too late.
Mt. Dew TPN
Lot's and lot's o' fluids.
/\/\/\THE END/\/\/\
