They have given her a Total Parenteral Nutrition IV to get my wife’s nutrients back up. A tpn has every kind of nutrients that the body needs in liquid form. She was in a severely protein malnutrition state according to the nutritionist. They’ve been focusing on her oxygen levels trying to keep them up, which is the most important part of this recovery. She hadn’t eaten much since August 22nd when I admitted her into the ER. She had a little bit of an Ensure, and a Jell-O cup but that is about it. She’s lost about 31 pounds due to the lack of nutrition. Now we can always say that they were neglecting her with her nutrition, but I understand what they are trying to do. As a previous EMT for Washington state I knew the important part about the human body was Airway, Breathing and Circulation. Without any one of those three things the person will die. Her breathing is compromised. Her lungs are compromised. The important part about this whole thing is to keep her oxygen levels going so she can breathe. So if you’re ever going through a situation like that and you notice that they are not getting the nutrients your loved one needs, it is because they are focusing on the most important thing to sustain life. You can always bring up that subject as you’re talking to your nurse. But don’t freak out about it. They are very aware and they are monitoring it daily. I know without the nutrients the human body is very weak not able to heal itself. The fact of the matter is my wife’s BiPAP could not even be removed because her oxygen would desaturate to a dangerous level and they were fearful of putting in NG tube in which is a feeding tube that goes into the nose. They wanted to make sure that that BiPAP mask had the best possible seal for my wife so her oxygen levels will stay.
Before going to bed last night her temperature was running at 100 degrees. I was concerned about that oh, and asked the nurse if it was the covid causing the temperature or if it was the PICC line that may have been getting infected. A PICC line is a central line going into the bloodstream it makes it easier for IV medication to be injected into the body. It goes directly to the heart. It gets inserted just below the shoulder. The problem is regular IVs is the fact that they can blow out the vein. That vein will repair itself eventually. The nurse explained that it was likely covid in that she didn’t think it was the PICC line.
I sent out a request for prayer based upon specifics for my wife that her heart rate and respiration would go down, and that the temperature would go down as well. Got honored that and her respirations are down two reasonable rate still above normal but reasonable. Heart rate is down as well. Her temperature is also down to normal. We serve a great God!
I talk to the charge nurse, and she said Dawn did really good overnight. I myself had some pretty good sleep too. I took some melatonin about 8 p.m. and went to bed about 9. I was up at 2:30, but was able to get back to sleep shortly after I checked her vitals online. I’m still a little tired but I at least got some sleep last night. I hope and pray that this is the last scare that we have to deal with and that we are on the downhill slide for this thing coasting in the home. I know she may be here for another couple weeks I hope God heals her quick enough. I just don’t want her to leave the hospital too soon before she’s ready. It is all in God’s timing and God’s plan.