Friday, April 8, 2011

Steady and Focused

Long night, short day.  Remember that this is Grandpa Jones writing this blog and this will make more sense.  I have told dozens of football teams and basketball teams to try and keep an even course.  Don't get too high with the highs and don't get too lows with the lows.  Stay steady and focused.  I think I should listen to my own advice.  The last 24 hours have been quite the ride.  90 miles of gravel road as Lee Tremayne used to say. 

Everything went so well yesterday that Garrett and Kaydi took a nap in the afternoon and used some compllimentary tickets to the Jazz game in the evening.  It was the first date for a couple of weeks - at least.  When they got back to the  hospital following the game, Gibson was in a low.  His Oxygen had dipped far below acceptable levels and his Carbon Dioxide levels were out the roof.  The staff had tried to roll him to his side to make it easier to breathe - BACKFIRE!!!

It was not until 6:30 this morning that Gibson finally got back on track with his blood gases.  It took some bag-assisted breathing, some increase in ventilator flow, and some serious praying before he stabilized.  Then - a great day.  His saturation levels stabilized and then the fun started. 

Kaydi got to clean his mouth with a little pink, mint-flavored, bubblegum flavored, foam swab and  he likes that.  He opened his eyes; not the "I'm still dreaming, leave me alone" type of open eyes, but the real "I am liking this, keep it up,  eye opening."
Then her and Garrett got to change his diaper and rub his head (comb his hair). He grinned.  Not the "I've got gas" grin, but he "I'm liking this, don't stop" grin.

Like I was saying - The highs are Grand Teton high and the lows are Grand Canyon low.

Gibson got a new room today - again.  There was just too much going in the big room.  Every time an alarm went off, or a nurse giggled, or a baby cried Gibson's heart rate elevated.  Rather than try to control the giggling and the crying, Garrett and Kaydi asked for (demanded) a new room.  Of course after being awake for 30 hours, they got their way.  Not that they get crabby when they are tired, but most of you know Garrett and Kaydi and I would not want to say 'no' when they are sleep deprived.  Gibson also got new bedding today. That was a major chore with major teamwork.

Gibson is, at this moment, sleeping like a baby.  Steady and focused.