The medical team is planning to attempt another CT scan. They noted that his oxygen levels are currently stable, which is an improvement from the last time they attempted the scan—during that previous attempt, laying him flat caused his oxygen levels to drop and his intracranial pressure (ICP) to rise. This time, they want to proceed with caution by doing a trial of laying him down again while closely monitoring his vitals.
During the trial, his oxygen dipped and ICP increased again, so the nurses quickly returned him to an upright position, and his vital signs rebounded. Despite these challenges, the team still wants to move forward with the CT scan. To make it safer, they plan to administer a paralytic to help make his lungs more compliant with the ventilator. This should help maintain better oxygenation while he’s lying down.
A positive sign is that he has been breathing on his own, though at a rate that’s too fast. The CT scan itself should only take about five minutes, but the team is most concerned about the brief period when he needs to remain flat. They plan to scan his brain, lungs, and spleen to gather more information about his condition.
May the Lord bless Seth and keep him; may the Lord make his face shine upon him and be gracious to him; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon him and give him peace. Num 6:24-26
Hold your loved ones close today
Prayer said with Seth tonight: I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Cardiologist suspects pulmonary embolism. They are going to do CT scan immediately instead of treating blindly with blood thinners. Seth hasn’t tolerated CT scans well as his pressures go crazy when he’s laying down. God’s got you, Buddy!
Please listen and read the lyrics of this beautiful song while Seth is in his scan.
Ultrasound showed no clot in Seth’s legs. We are still waiting to hear from cardiologist about a blood clot. Antibiotics were changed. Sometimes with a lot of fluids in the lungs, a patient is put on their stomach to relieve the pressure and allow the back of the lungs to inflate more. Of course, this isn’t an option for Seth. He started a fever again which is controlled by the Arctic Sun, which is a system that runs water thru bags and keeps his temperature controlled. He’d probably make a joke about being an extra “cool” guy now.
6:06 HR 112 ICP 19 CPP 70
-Darcy
Update on prayer board friend, Danita. She was removed off of life support and said I love you to her husband. Most of her colon was removed and she has a plate around her ribs. Her husband, Josh is appreciative of the thoughts and prayers. He was also hurt in the accident and has been sleeping at the hospital this whole time with her.
Seth’s oxygen levels dropped, and his heart rate rose to 130. In response, the medical team made adjustments to his treatment to better support his breathing.
Thankfully, he appears to be responding—his oxygen levels have returned to normal. However, his heart rate remains high.
The doctors believe his lungs are in respiratory distress, and they are considering using a paralytic to help his lungs better synchronize with the ventilator. Under normal circumstances, they would place him on his stomach to support lung function, but due to concerns about swelling in his brain, that approach isn’t currently an option.
They also suspect the presence of a blood clot in his heart. An echocardiogram has been performed, and they are now waiting for results. A cardiologist will be brought in to help evaluate his condition and guide the next steps.
On the upside, Dr Thomas, the trauma doctor said that his brain swelling has been relatively stable. They also mentioned they have some more tools in their toolbox. Hopefully we don’t have to use them.
There was a concern within the last couple of hours in which the ICP spiked up to 28 (needs to be less than 20) At the same time his arterial line (ART), a tube inserted into an artery to monitor blood pressure, needed to be replaced. They tried to go up on Versed which didn’t help so they gave him a bolus of 23% sodium saline solution which helped bring the level down. You are all learning medical terms with me!
In the process they increased the ventilator 100%.
2:01 pm Dropping Precedex levels since it doesn’t seem to be working but giving Oxycodone instead.
ICP 12 PO2 30 HR 93 BP 125/59 CPP 63
Our prayer board has more names on it now. Please add these people in your prayers as they are doors down from Seth. They have families who also weren’t expecting to be here and although each situation is different and requires different complicated medical treatment, they need the same prayers of comfort, strength, hope and miracles just like you are making for Seth and our family.
Last night around 11pm, ICP went up and sedation was increased. One step forward yesterday, one step back today.
3 am – 4 people here to put him on lift sheets for the CT scan.
3:30 am – Seth didn’t like having the CT done. His ICP went up to 32 (bad) so sedation, Versed was given. ICP settled down.
CT is unchanged. Not better but not worse.
6:50 am – ICP 16 CCP 57 PB has been fluctuating 92/60 PO2 32 HR 84. Given electrolytes, lung still being suctioned.
7:32 am – Drs from neurosurgery came in. Since last nights spike in pressure, they need to change some things to avoid surgical intervention. This would include adding a paralytic to paralyze him which would give the brain complete rest for the swelling to come down. Fentanyl and Propofal are at it’s highest. It’s reiterated to limit stimulation so some of the neurological checks are on hold.
8:19 am Dr used ultrasound to look at the big vessel that goes to his heart. Xray looks like lungs are holding a lot of fluid. Because he’s on so many drips, the fluid has accumulated around the lung. They will give diuretic to help draw it out.
8:39 am PO2 ICP 15 CPP 61
8:40 am Dr from Neurocritical team came in, this is max swelling time but he is meeting benchmarks and no sign of seizures. It is touch and go for the next few days. The CT scan shows generalized swelling and no specific area of injury. There are a few teams of doctors that need to consult with each other on the plan of the day.
9:27 am Neurocritical team has decided to NOT do a paralytic. Mostly because it stays in the system a long time and can’t be adjusted quickly.
9:39 am An order was put in to switch Propofol to continuous Versed. Propofol is made out of fat so it’s not helping his triglyceride level.
10:10 am ICP 23 CPP 64 PO2 24 HR 92 Vent 60%
Attached are some pictures of what Seth is hooked up to and the monitor that we are getting numbers off of. There is also a picture of the chair that I recline when I stay overnight. I’ve received some wonderful messages this morning. Thank you to those that are asking how they can help, or bring desserts from a ladies tea, or giving me a song, prayer or thoughtful message for the day. Please know that if I don’t respond right away or forget to respond, I have seen your messages and appreciate you reaching out. You all help us stay positive and uplifted. I’d like to share one this morning from a friend.
Continued thoughts and prayers for you all. At church we were reminded by Pastor Jeff…1 John 4:16: So we know and rely on the love of God for us. His love is so different than our human love which is inconsistent. His love is reliable, his love is fierce, his love is perfect. We can rely on his fierce, perfect and reliable love for Seth.
