Very close call this morning...

[Digdoug]

...Brian coded. I was giving him a bath when he started gagging as if he were throwing up and by the time I got him in his bed he was gasping for breath. We tried to suction the tube clear but it didn't work and Brian was gasping for air similar to a fish out of water. We called the nurses and two rushed in and tried to clear the blockage when Brian arched his back and pushed with his legs like a last effort to get air. Then he closed his eyes and relaxed. The nurses then yelled for a code red alert and ordered a crash cart and within two minutes the room was full of doctors and nurses, so many they all couldn't fit into the room. By this time they had pumped air into his lungs and his o2 levels started rising again. Then he opened his eyes and had to be startled by all the people surrounding him. Through my tears I told him we were throwing him a surprise party. His doctor asked him what happened and Brian wrote that he coughed and then couldn't breathe. Mucus had plugged the tube. When I tried to suction it would push the blockage down, allowing some air in but when I pulled the tube out the ball of sticky mucous would plug the tube again. They used a larger size tube and after about 15 minutes of suctioning they were able to clear the blockage. Brian is fine now and has been sleeping the last couple of hours. While all this was happening the pager went off once reminding me that someone was praying and that God was there amongst us. Whew!!!!

We are a bundle of nerves. I thought sure we were going to lose him.

 

[Joe G]

There is power in prayer... glad he's OK Doug!

 

[steve in so la]

d

 

[SEMPERFI61]

IS THERE ANY OTHER THING TO DO IF IT HAPPENS AT HOME?THANK GOD ,IT DID NOT HAPPEN SOME WHERE ELSE.THIS REALLY SCARES ME,IF IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN?ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE TO AVOID FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?BLESS YOU GUYS,MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU, TELL BRIAN THAT HE IS LOVED BY HIS FAMILY AT THE FORUM.
WILL KEEP PRAYING FOR YOU GUYS.

BRO.BILL

 

[MI$$OURI BETTY]

n/t

 

[Jim West Pa]

I just couldn't immagine Doug.

 

[Digdoug]

Yes...thank the Lord!! They said that a couple of weeks after the surgery he will produce more mucous than normal because the body is trying to reject the tube. We will have an Ac/Dc suction pump and other items including extra tubes. If we can't clear the tube we can remove it and replace it with a new one. We will be trained Monday to replace the tube and take a CPR class. They won't let us leave with him until we can replace the tube with our eyes closed. I watched them replace one and it only takes 2 seconds but it is getting adjusted to the hole in his neck that will be hard to overcome.

I told Brian you guys are praying and rooting for him.

Thanks,

 

[morningstar]

n/t

 

[TuckyTector(InezKY)]

n/t

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

I am so glad all is well. Praise God from whom all mercies flow!
I wil try to call tommorrow!