Wayne Schlueter

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Wayne tested positive for COVID on April 13th. He was admitted to Mercy Hospital on April 22, 2021 (10 days after symptoms started). Here’s his story.

APRIL 22, 2021
Prayer Warriors! Please pray for Wayne he’s very sick. He has some lung damage and is 100% on ventilator. Keep the prayers coming, it’ll be a long road.

APRIL 23, 2021

Praise God! Some good news. They were able to turn down the oxygen as Wayne is stable and showing signs of improvement. Keep praying, it’s working! ❤️

APRIL 24, 2021
Just got an update from the nurse on a video call. Things are still going well they still have him on 50% oxygen and they were able to drop the pressure down to 8 (was 12, goal is 5)but then he decided he was going to try and wake up so they put the pressure back up to 10 and they gave him more medication to keep him asleep. I told the nurse he doesn't like to sit still he is always working so that's probably why he's trying to move. Keep praying - things are getting better, just takes time! 🙏🏻❤️ So glad to hear the Dr say he was *happy* with his progress. Love that word!
💜💙Remember to pray for all the doctors and nurses working so hard in these crazy times too

APRIL 25, 2021
I got to visit Wayne today. His oxygen still at 50%, reqd pressure down to 8. Once they give med changes they will try and adjust oxygen, maybe tomorrow. He was moving a lot after they stopped giving him the paralyzing meds and responded to the nurse when she asked him to wiggle his toes and squeeze her hand and give a thumbs up. All stats look good. Making good progress, just taking it slow. ❤️

APRIL 25, 2021
Back visiting outside the glass doors of ICU. If he’s still in ICU by end of week, I’ll be able to actually go in the room to visit. They have dropped his required oxygen down to 40% and is doing well. Pressure at 8, which could be his baseline since he’s got big lungs to fill. They’re trying to wean him off some meds but he’s being his feisty self so they need to keep him calm to keep the tubes where they need to be. Still making progress - slow and steady wins the race. Thank you for all your prayers! We can feel the love ❤️! Thank you to those who have offered support, meals etc (which is most of you!) 🥲 It means a lot! BIG Thank you to the ICU team for all they have done and continue to do these past 5 days. God Bless!
PS: while I was sitting there after posting, they turned the pressure down to 6. We’re getting closer 🤞🏻

🚜 Oh and I printed out 20 pages of Facebook comments and prayers so the nurse read some to him and was going to hang them up! I told the nurse he’s a farmer too, thus the tractor/combine background photo on his phone.

APRIL 26, 2021
Arrived @10:15am, still heavily sedated. They reduced the vent med but had to up the oxygen to 50% again, which sounds like a normal process. He's still stable.
Was able to call and talk to him with his phone by his head. I think he heard me but hard to respond while sedated. Hopefully a familiar voice helps. We need him to wean off meds more and see how he responds. Deanna (the hospital chaplain) stopped by while I was sitting there. We talked a lot and then she prayed for Wayne and our family. Planning for a long road ahead. 🙏🏻 Keep the prayers coming 🙏🏻❤️ Thank you, we appreciate it ❤️


2:45 Update: Just called and talked to nurse. They were able to get him off the valentia? (Vent meds) and give him something to drain fluid he had in his chest. His oxygen is staying in the mid 90’s so far! Counting down until I can go in the room at end of week.


(Add: Please keep my brother-in-law Brian Robertson, his mom Gail Robertson and my brother Dan Sarkilahti in your prayers too. They are also fighting this and 2 are in hospital as well).

APRIL 27, 2021
Miracles do happen 🙏🏻
I'm at the hospital again. I was able to talk to him from the hallway, I "yelled" at him lol. I told him to listen to the Drs and nurses and we’re working on getting him out of here. He nodded his head so he's responding! ❤️😊
They removed the vent medication totally and he's still doing good.
They're going to try and turn down oxygen tomorrow again. At 50% oxygen right now still.
This is amazing being the state he arrived in on Thursday with 25% oxygen. The medical staff said they've never seen anyone come in with oxygen this low and walk into the hospital.