Tom Henke

Welcome everyone, 
This is Nancy writing. It’s been hard to keep everyone updated so we decided this would be a good route.  


To recap:  Tom was experiencing cold symptoms the fourth week of June.  By Saturday, June 26th he realized it was possible it was COVId so he was tested. Sunday his results came back positive.  On Monday his cough was gone, but he was feeling very low in energy and was dizzy. Thanks to our daughter Maddie and her company, Nonin, we had a pulse oximeter on-hand so we measured his blood oxygen level which read 79.  


He was checked into the emergency room and the hospital immediately.  Blood oxygen is supposed to measure 94-96.  Below 90 and you are to go to the ER.  An X-ray showed pneumonia in both lungs as well. I was able to stay with him prett6 late that night, but went home once they got him settled in, as I thought I’d return with an overnight bag in the morning. Ha!  Silly me, no visitors for COVId patients!  Even if you’re vaccinated. 


I am unclear exactly when it happened because we received conflicting reports, but either the next day or the morning after he went into the ICU.  He was on as much oxygen as you can get without intubation and a ventilator. He had a very rough week. The kids all came and we were grateful to be together. I could say more about this week, but it’s over and we are glad. 


On July 4th he was moved to Intensive Care. He had improved, his vital signs were stable and he was beginning to tolerate a bit lowered oxygen flow. Since then we have been waiting for his lungs to improve enough for them to move him by ambulance to a Long Term Acute  Care facility. He is currently on 50L of oxygen so too high to safely be moved yet. Once there he will have access to pulmonary specialists and PT. 


As of today his nurse reports he is having some issues keeping his blood pressure steady, but he just needs time to heal.  COVId is unpredictable and takes time. 


Thank you for your love, support, prayers and gestures!  
Nancy
Max, Bobby, Maddie, Sophie and Sam