The beginning

My family started this blog to update everyone on Dad's status.

Last Saturday he was admitted to OHSU with a possible stroke or brain tumor. He was intubated and placed on a ventilator. He was having seizures and was vomiting so the ventilator was used to protect his airway.

Sunday-MRI and CT completed along with a laundry list of blood tests. MRI showed a large bleed in his brain in the occipital and parietal lobes. There was some swelling around the pool of blood indicating the likelihood of a tumor that had bled. Remained on ventilator pending surgery to remove blood and any possible tumor. If it is a tumor it is likely a glioma which is a rapidly growing invasive tumor. Surgery postponed until Monday due to other more critical patients.

Monday - Surgery lasted about 2 hours and went well. No tumor, pathology looks good. It appears to be a hemorrhagic stroke. That means a leaking vessel that bled into his brain. All of the blood was evacuated. They did not have to shave what little hair he has left. We are happy about that. Little things matter right now. Mid after noon they extubated him. He is responding well with eye gaze, saying or nodding yes to questions. He is moving both arms and both legs. Still think he will not have vision on his right side due to the location of the bleed. Speech centers may be effected but so far responses indicate this may turn out better then we think. Wet his mouth with a wet swab and he sucked the liquid as fast as he could. Wasn't suppose to do that. He wanted more so we cheated and gave him another How can you say no?
Jason told him to be strong and get ready for football season to root on those seahawks he smiled and laughed. We told him we would get through this together he responded "do this together" He is coming around we are pleased. This is a good day.

Tuesday- Early report he had a difficult night, very agitated. Pulled out Arterial line tried very hard to pull out breathing tube and catheter, even with restraints. Nurse told him to relax which he responded in true form, "Screw relaxing". Several nurses worked to position him and adjust restraints. Male nurse said he was "strong like bull." Had to reintubate him due to increased agitation increasing blood pressure and pulse. Huge set back. Began biting on tube requiring a mouth block which he doesn't like and is trying to spit out. Bit his tongue so lots of continued bleeding as a result. Not a good day today.

Wednesday- Seems more calm today. Responds to Teri to calm down and relax. Gets agitated when anything is being done to him. Crying at times when talking to him about where he is. Seems to understand where he is and will follow commands from Teri. Changed lots of tubing. Fever a bit higher today. All in all not a bad day.

Thursday- Rough morning. Less alert may be having seizures. Hooked up to EEG for 24 hours to monitor brain waves. Lots of moving for different procedures. Took out the central line. Took out the arterial line. Trying to minimize any likely source of infection to aide with fever. Will put in a PIC line instead for now. Passed spontaneous breathing test so can breath on his own but when agitated still slows so lowered ventilator for today with hopes to extubate tomorrow. He will be so much better when we can get that nasty tube out of his throat.Continuing to tube feed him for nutrition.