1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Dad in ICU

Discussion in 'Prayer Requests & Praise' started by Trotter, Jul 22, 2009.

  1. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    It's me again. :eek: My situation hasn't changed (no job).

    My dad went in on July 13th for a medically needed gastric bypass. While the doctors had him under they were going to repair a hernia via laproscopy. The first part went flawlessly... but not the second.

    It seems there was a lot of scar tissue from previous hernia surgeries and it had wrapped his intestines up in it. They had to open him up and remove the tissue, perforating the intestine in the process. This went well and he was up walking on Tuesday morning. By Tuesday afternoon, however, he was in intense pain and his belly was swelling. The doctors went back in and discovered more scar tissue below the operation site (that they didn't catch) had also wrapped up the intestines and once swelling had set in was ripping the surgical site from the first surgery.

    My dad has been in ICU since last Tuesday. He is on a ventilator but is breathing mostly on his own. They are keeping him mostly knocked out but he can sometimes nod when we talk to him. He has 6-8 IVs going at a time and the staples from the surgery had become infected. They think they have that infection under control but are talking like it could be weeks before he can get out of ICU.

    I forgot to mention he is in Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, which is about 3.5 hours from here.

    My mom just called and gave me an update. They are going to replace the vent tube with a tracheotomy tomorrow. His vitals have taken a slight setback (white blood count up by two points, fluid output not up to what they want it to be) but he was very alert this morning.
     
  2. jilphn1022

    jilphn1022 New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,273
    Likes Received:
    0
    Dear Lord, We all are so thankful that you can heal our bodies and You use doctors to do Your will. We pray for the doctors will have your wisdom how to
    treat Trotter's dad at this time. Comfort and sustain his mother at this time.
    We pray that You will provide a job for Trotter. We pray this in Your precious
    and holy Name, Jesus. Amen.
     
  3. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2000
    Messages:
    17,933
    Likes Received:
    10
    He is in my prayers.
     
  4. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    He is still in ICU. I just came home from spending four days with him so my mom could come home and get some rest and take care of some business.

    His condition has not changed and remains dire. Mom called and said that they finally found a source of infection and were about to try to frain it. They basically had to wait until it got big enough to show up on a CT scan. He has not regained consciousness for about a week now.

    I will say that I am not overly impressed with how his welfare has been handled and leave it at that.
     
  5. following-Him

    following-Him Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2002
    Messages:
    10,971
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trotter,

    I pray that your father will get the care and attention he needs in the hospital and that he will make a good recovery. I pray also for you and your mother, that you will be so aware of God's presence and peace at this time.

    In Jesus Precious Name

    Amen. :praying:
     
  6. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2007
    Messages:
    11,154
    Likes Received:
    242
    Faith:
    Baptist
    From RD@/Pastor Paul

    Father, in Jesus name, I stand in full confidence with all of my brothers and sisters who have faithfully lifted this brother up before you. I ask that Your Supernatural "favor" fill the hospital room; guide the minds and hands of all the doctors, nurses, and technicians that any role in treating this brother. I know, that the family is scared, so I ask that that very same supernatural "favor" be with them where ever they may be during this trial by fire!

    Amen,

    Pastor Paul
     
  7. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2007
    Messages:
    3,724
    Likes Received:
    0
    We are praying Lamar.
     
  8. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    I'm praying brother.

    I haven't sent your package out yet - it's been crazy busy - but it should go out by this weekend.
     
  9. jilphn1022

    jilphn1022 New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,273
    Likes Received:
    0
    Lord, You are the God of the impossible!
    We pray for a miracle of which Only You can do!
    We thank you for your faithfulness to hearing and answering your
    children's prayers.
    Give all of the family and friends the strength to stay strong!
    We pray this in Your Name and we ask for Your perfect will.
    Amen
     
  10. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I am headed back to Nashville tonight. The doctors got the cultures back on the infection they had found and it is Necrotizing Fasciitis. They are going to watch my dad through the night and make a call on what to do in the morning. Should they do surgery and remove the affected tissue my dad may not be able to survive it, much less living through the aftermath on top of everything else. I honestly don't know how long I will be gone with this.

    To say I am mad at the world would be an understatement and a half. All of this stemmed from the doctor's not bothering to look when they performed the original surgery. My nerves are shot and my mind is going in a million different directions... but it is the feeling of being helpless that is the worst. My wife has been trying to help me but she hasn't been very effective at it.

    I don't have the words to express what I feel like I should. Even if I did I don't know if I could get them out. Thank you for the prayers... he's going to need them.
     
  11. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
    Moderator

    Joined:
    May 22, 2002
    Messages:
    11,384
    Likes Received:
    944
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I am agreeing with the rest in the Name of Jesus Christ for your father's healing and for your peace of mind and strength and for the medical team's wisdom, discernment, and compassion. I also pray for your mother's stamina.
     
  12. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Mom called back. Seems another doc said it isn't Necrotizing Fasciitis, but staph. I don't care which as long as they get busy with it. Both could kill him.
     
  13. jilphn1022

    jilphn1022 New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,273
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trotter, my dad is being treated for staph and he is doing great at 86 years old.

    Lord, we pray that You will heal our brother's dad. In Jesus' Name. Amen
     
  14. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Update:

    It was necrotizing fasciiitus. Mom got confused and is still calling it staph. The doctors removed a swath about 18" long and 9" wide from the top of his right shoulder down his chest and under his arm, all down to the muscle. If he lives they will do skin grafts later on.

    They still have not found what infection Dad has. He is still in ICU and still unconscious. His fever will spike up around 103-104F and they will use chill blankets to keep it from going higher and his white count will go into the 20s, but then the fever comes back down and so does his white count. The doctors don't know if it is baterial, fungal, or viral. Nothing shows up in the cultures because of all the anti-bacterials/fungals they are pumping into him to try to keep it at bay. Basically they are shooting in the dark.

    Thank you all for the prayer, and please continue to remember him and my family. My mom is in denial with it all and only hears what little good he doctors say. They are trying to prepare us for the time when a decision has to be made but Mom won't hear of it. The longer this goes on the smaller the chances of him coming through it.

    I just came home for a couple of days to rest and then I am headed back up to let Mom come home for a few days. We are exhausted, sleeping in the hospital waiting room. We don't want to leave him alone but we can only visit during visiting hours, and one of us needs to be there in case something happens..
     
  15. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
    Moderator

    Joined:
    May 22, 2002
    Messages:
    11,384
    Likes Received:
    944
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I am praying for your dad, your mom, and your whole family.
     
  16. faithgirl46

    faithgirl46 Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2005
    Messages:
    2,780
    Likes Received:
    2
    Praying in Jesus Name
    Faithgirl
     
  17. Gwyneth

    Gwyneth <img src=/gwyneth.gif>

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2002
    Messages:
    4,137
    Likes Received:
    0
    Praying for you all, Lamar
     
  18. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I am headed back up to Vandy tomorrow. Mom said Dad kept his eyes open the whole time she was in with him, but he isn't focusing or tracking as of yet. She said he krinkled up his nose when a gnat landed on it, and then blinked and flinched when the nurse shooed it away. Right now that sounds like great news to me but he could still go either way.

    They have finally brought in an infectious disease specialist and the head doctor of the ICU was involved in the rounds this morning.

    Thank you all for the prayers. It means a lot to me to know that people are coming alongside us.
     
  19. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Dad is making slow progress. He has not regained consciousness (two and a half weeks now). He has not had a fever in several days, though, and the site where they removed the necrotizing fasciitis has not shown any further infection.

    He is currently undergoing dialysis to help out his kidneys and to clean his system where his kidneys had been in failure and unable to remove both waste and the drugs they have given him.

    They are also beginning to have him breathe on his own with only pressure support from the ventilator. He can only go a few hours at a time right now, but they are building up his endurance with it.

    The doctors don't know when he will eventually wake up, but think that he will begin to do so as he gets better. They don't think that he has any brain damage (thankfully), but that this is his body's way of protecting itself from all that he has been through.
     
  20. fallenwater

    fallenwater New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    3
    I have remembered you in prayer, God is mighty to heal. Jesus said I am the light of the world.
     
Loading...