Hi, it’s Patrik Hutzel from INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM , where we instantly improve the lives of Families of critically ill Patients in Intensive
Care, so that you can have PEACE OF MIND, real power, real control and so that you can influence decision making fast, even if you’re not a doctor or a nurse in Intensive Care!
This is another episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” and in last week’s episode I answered another question from our readers and the question last week was PART 8 of
“MY AUNTY IS IN INTENSIVE CARE ON ECMO FOR ARDS, WE’RE VERY WORRIED SHE MAY DIE! HELP!" (PART 8)
You can check out the answer to last week’s
question by clicking on the link here.
In this week’s episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” I want to answer
another question from one of our readers and the question this week is PART 9 of
MY AUNTY IS IN INTENSIVE CARE ON ECMO FOR ARDS, WE’RE VERY WORRIED SHE MAY DIE! HELP! (PART 9)
Lee from the UK writes
Hi Patrik,
yes my auntie did have a tracheostomy fitted until there was a leak on it and was causing problems with her breathing so they went back to the breathing tube in the mouth until she was stabilised again.
Now at the moment they are waiting until Monday to decide if they are going to do a tracheostomy or if this can be avoided by bringing her round
without having to do that.
Oxygen support is 28% still slightly sedated, ventilation support and help with breathing is minimal they say.
She has managed to
stay off the dialysis machine and is now passing plenty of urine herself.
The infection markers are down again for infection and they have stopped medication for blood pressure as that's fine.
They say that there is still small amounts of fluid on the bottom of the lungs, but the lungs are no longer stiff and that's why she is taking bigger breaths herself.
On the whole we have had positive feedback from the nurses, do you think that my auntie is still
at a critical stage or do you think she could be past the worst and now and be on the mend?
Thanks Lee.
Hi Lee,
thanks for clarifying that your aunty had the tracheostomy and that a leak caused the breathing tube to go back into her mouth instead of the tracheostomy!
It sounds like your aunt is making
progress!
28% Oxygen and only lightly sedated is good news, as well as that she is making plenty of urine off the dialysis machine!
Off medications for blood pressure as well as infection markers down is encouraging too.
Just by what you have described in recent days sounds way better than at the beginning of the week.
It sounds like she is moving out of the most critical phase.
Having a breathing tube in her mouth currently as opposed to the tracheostomy might be a blessing in disguise if she can be extubated in the next few days without getting the tracheostomy back again!
I do believe that the Intensive
Care team should be doing a trial extubation, in order to find out whether your aunty can breathe without the ventilator.
If she can't breathe by herself yet, then they can re-insert the tracheostomy.
Recommended resources:
In any case it sounds like with getting minimal ventilator support that even though she may need the tracheostomy, she
shouldn't be too far away from getting off the ventilator at least intermittently.
As I mentioned yesterday, the next challenges will most likely be ahead for your aunt when waking up from the coma and she may well be confused, agitated or delirious.
Related article/ video:
THE 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOUR LOVED ONE IS CONFUSED, AGITATED AND DELIRIOUS IN INTENSIVE CARE!
But that's easier to deal with than
being in a life threatening situation.
Whilst it's often not pleasant to watch critically ill Patients when coming out of a coma, it's still as sign that your aunt is heading in the right direction.
If you read through Ellie's questions, her mother was very delirious too when coming out of the coma.
But I would suggest to take one step at the time, let's see what they can do regarding her ventilation first and then take it from there.
Again, be patient, don't expect miracles, however there are clear indicators
that your aunt is getting better and might be off the ventilator soon!
Once that's achieved, the next steps are rehabilitation by mobilising your aunt and by getting her out of bed!
Continue to stay positive, keep asking questions and be
patient.
When your aunt will come off the ventilator she will still need to be in ICU for at least a few more days, if not another couple of weeks.
Let's not jump ahead of ourselves as yet and again, take one step at the time.
You're doing great and I
hope you are not getting too stressed while your aunt keeps battling her illness!
Keep me in the loop and I will continue guiding you!
Take care
Thank you& Kind Regards
Patrik
Your friend
Patrik Hutzel
Skype ID patrik.hutzel
phone 415- 915-0090 in the USA/Canada
phone 03- 8658 2138 in Australia/ New Zealand
phone 0118 324 3018 in the UK/Ireland
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Patrik Hutzel
Critical Care Nurse
Founder& Editor
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