Update #32 on Kevin

What a difference a day makes….


This morning we met with doctors, nurses, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, neurosurgery, etc…. all to get an idea about Kevin’s condition. They were planning on discharging him and we wanted to see where things were before we left. We asked questions about where Kevin has been in comparison with how far he has come. We asked about thoughts regarding progress to expect in the next month and what improvements and setbacks they had seen so far. We got a great deal of information. I think a few people were a little put out by the questions, but most people understood.

Kevin’s finger wasn’t broken and his neck’s fractures were stable and still aligned making it so he could be transferred today. Still on antibiotics, Kevin is working through the C-Diff. His transfer took place around 5 pm in a shiny ambulance. Our caravan headed over to Kevin’s LTAC. We came in, having already visited once to check it out last week, and we have continued to be bowled over with how much we like it already.

The LTAC is named Meadowbrook and he can accept visitors. Although right now, due to the C-Diff, you still have to gown and glove up to go in. The difference between here and TICU at St. Francis is that our whole family can go in at the same time. There is also free pop in the cafeteria 24 hours a day. Those things are minor to the quality of care that we have already seen from the staff. They treat Kevin not only as a person, but as a family member. His first night’s nurse even said that she sees him as a brother and will treat him as if he were her brother. What a refreshing feeling. His room is directly next to the respiratory nurses station. There is even a window from their station straight into his room.

The other cool thing is that Meadowbrook is at 31st & Memorial behind all the hotels. It is in fact directly behind the Hampton Inn that we have been so fortunate to have provided for us. We can actually walk next door for a shower and breakfast! Kevin’s in room 133.

Earlier today, before leaving TICU. They switched Kevin from the Ventilator to CPAP. He breathed on his own for about two hours. When they tested his blood they found that his PO2 (Oxygen) levels were a little low so they switched him back to the previous low settings he had been on. This was also good preparation for the transfer. When I asked the Physical Therapist upon arrival if that was normal to have that reaction when doing trials for getting off the vent, she said “oh yeah” dismissing it with a hand wave, then said with a huge smile, “we can fix that!!” Man, this feels like a good night. On that note, I am heading to bed. They brought us in with two recliners for sleeping.

Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts. It means so much for the family.

Thanks,
Matt, Angie and family
_______________________
http://www.prayforkevin.com/