November 28, 2010: Quite an active morning for a Sunday. Brandon no longer has a breathing tube. It was removed as part of the morning shift change. I was allowed into his room with the hopes I could help him remain off sedation and help protect the remaining tubes. The first thing Brandon said to me was, "Get the tubes out, NOW!"
Two more tubes were removed by the staff after rounds; the one going into his stomach and the one taking what goes in his stomach, out the other end. That had some calming effect on him, yet he still wanted the other tubes removed, the feeding and foley (urine) tubes. It has been a battle all morning trying to keep both of them in place. It is amazing what he is able to do with his feet and thrashing with his head.
The feeding tube was impossible to keep taped. It was re-taped multiple times only to fall off. He finally caught the feeding tube on the bed rail and pulled his head back, pulling the tube out. The foley has been a chore as he has used every means possible to try and remove it, including using his toes to try and remove the Velcro straps and then try and use them to grab tube. He still insists that he be allowed to get up. Things must be getting better as two of his favorite words have returned. If you need to know what they are, ask Branson.
They have tried to wean him off the continuous IV pain meds and go to regularly scheduled pain med administration. His temp is down to 37.2, his cough remains productive, and all muscles are present and accounted for as he strains in an attempt to get out of bed. I am amazed that his oxygen sats have remained at 99 with all the struggling and only on 5 liters of oxygen through a cannula. The next attempt is giving a little Haldol to help with the struggles.
He tries to convince everyone within ear shot to let him up. If he would remain calm and use more complete thoughts he would be closer to making it a possibility. Brandon has asked me to tell you something. It is his new favorite phrase, "I want out."
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