Saturday, July 19

2:30 p.m.:
We just returned from seeing Karl for the first time after his long surgery yesterday. His face is extremely swollen because he was on his stomach for so long. But his vitals are very good. We talked to him and his eyebrows raised. He knew we were there. He couldn't open his eyes because they were so puffy but a tear formed at the corner of his eye. The nurse commented that she thought he was crying because he was so glad to know we were there. She told us he wiggles his fingers and toes when she asks him to.

The ventilator is still doing his breathing and they will keep him sedated for awhile longer because his body has been through quite a bit of trauma. They continue to give him high doses of fentenyl for pain and propofol (which is the drug that I couldn't remember in the earlier post that paralyzes him a bit). As long as they give him propofol, they'll keep him on the vent. He's also getting insulin and an antibiotic, pantoprazol, along with various fluids such as lactated ringers and sodium chloride. Karl is on a special bed called a Clinitron that is air fluidized and also uses sand to put less pressure on his back.

The nurse (Janet) suggested we interact only intermittently with him at this point because it causes him to respond and stir a bit, and they want him to be as still as possible. While we'd like to be there for him all the time, we think it's best to allow him time to rest. We will call periodically to see how he is and we'll go back tonight, probably sometime around 7 just let him know we're there.

10:25 p.m.:
We just got back from visiting Karl. Tonight his nurse was Sarah and she was great. She tapered off some the the propofol so that he'd be more alert with us and so she could also check his reflexes. He was glad to have us there and we'd ask if he wanted us to tickle or rub his arms or get him a warm blanket. He nodded and he'd close his eyes. The longer we were there, the more he wanted to talk and the more he wanted to talk, the more mucousy his venilator became, which caused him some panic and he mouthed that he couldn't breathe. A team quickly came in an suctioned him and Sarah upped his propofol, which made him more comfortable and sleepier. I then told him we were going to leave and he opened his eyes and shook his head no. So we stayed, but I told him he needed to calm down and rest, that we'd be there and we'd keep tickling and rubbing. Finally, when he was deeply asleep, Mom and I left. But we were there almost 3 hours tonight.

Tomorrow we may spend a bit more time with Karl. Sarah thinks our presence helps him to be less frightened. She said there is really no telling when he'll be weaned from the various and sundry tubes, the ventilator, medications, etc. It all depends on how his body adjusts to this surgery. Right now his vitals are very good. They are waiting for functions to come back, one at a time. Tonight it looked like his urine output was just starting to increase, which means the swelling will decrease. We shall see, but I'll give you the low-down tomorrow.

I'll update the blog whenever I get any information. I know you are all looking for news about Karl and the blog is, to be honest, therapy for me. I sure wish we could skip past this part and get right to the rehab stuff. But, he just climbed Mt. Everest and now he needs his sherpas -- YOU-- to guide him back down. It will be slow and steady. But he needs you so please keep praying and responding. When he's able, he will look back at this blog and see all the comments and his spirit will soar. Each and everyone one of you hold a special place in his heart -- and in ours.

Wishing you God's peace, love and grace,

Kerry