Updates from Sunday

Many thanks to all of you who have emailed, called, sent Facebook messages, etc.  The support we have received has been phenomenal.  I have told Robert about all your messages.

There has not been much significant change since I wrote yesterday.  Robert remains on a ventilator, and continues to have some amount of bleeding in his lungs.  My biggest concern overnight had been his level of sedation, as I felt that he was a little too awake and aware of what was going on, and appeared to be uncomfortable at times.  He seemed particularly aggravated by having his breathing tube suctioned - a necessary event to try and minimize the formation of blood clots down in his lungs.  After discussion with his physicians and nurses this morning, we increased his sedation substantially and he has been very calm throughout today.  This came at a price - at least for me - as now he does not respond to my voice or touch.  However, it is worth it to have him appear more comfortable. 

The other important discussion today was about different strategies to try and stop the bleeding in his lungs. Two different approaches that we decided on today were (1) increasing the pressure of each breath that the ventilator gives him to try and tamponade the bleeding a little, and (2) starting high dose steroids to attempt to stop whatever inflammatory process may be contributing to his bleeding.  An added benefit to starting steroids is that they have successfully lowered his fever, which had been persistently high for the past 24 hours.  Robert will continue to receive the steroids twice a day for the next 3 days. 

I am hoping and praying for a quiet night tonight, that Robert remains comfortable even with suctioning, and that the steroids will begin to take effect. 

Thank you for your prayers; they are our hope.

Gwyneth