SUNDAY UPDATE, NO FOOLIN'

Well, we're on day #9 of this flippin' stupid flu-infested hospital stay. Colby acts like he feels better. His lungs sound a little clearer after cough treatments. He's awake, acting more like usual Colby. We've been able to turn down his oxygen gradually and now it's 25%, only has to be 21% to be room air. We've discontinued the Lasix and that makes me happy, happy. They think the effusion is for the most part dissolved or gone so that's not a worry. His tidal volumes are great, around 200-250, another thumbs up. Colby has had some great nurses and respiratory therapists. There's only 1 nurse I would consider so-so and didn't even have her for a full shift. No, I didn't get her fired or kick her out of our room, that was her shift haha.

So is there bad or not-so-good news? Yeah, of course. We turned down Colby's vent settings a couple days ago. His blood gas this morning reflected that wasn't a great idea, so he's back to the other settings. Colby's x-ray looked worse this morning, wth?! It looked better yesterday for the 1st time since he's been admitted, so I just knew it would be even better today. It was worse and I was so bummed. So I'm going to assume the broncoscopy talk will come up in rounds tomorrow. I don't have a huge objection to it, but of course don't want Colby going through a procedure if he's able to do the work on his own. But that's just it. We've done cough treatments around the clock, every 3 hours, for 9 straight days. I know it's the flu AND pneumonia AND effusion AND SMA and that it will take Colby a very long time to bounce back compared to a non-SMA person. (notice I didn't say compared to a "normal" person b/c that really pisses me off when people say it that way). SMA is Colby's normal, get what I mean?! Anyways, that's what I'm trying to weigh. Give him more time or go ahead & see if the bronc helps move things along.

Also need to talk to Dentistry to see what this oral surgery is going to be about, how much bleding, how much swelling recovery time, etc. He's having the port placement for sure, but I need to decide whether or not to do teeth and/or testicles. That's the latest on sweet Colby boy. I know he's over there lying in that bed giving 110% to get better. He's such a good-natured kid. What a shitty hand he has been dealt, but he's a trooper and just keeps on fighting.