Thank you all for joining us is prayer for our dad, Dale.
We’ve already posted recent updates, but will share what led up to those here:
Dad got what seemed like a URI (cold) with pharyngitis on Saturday 4/1. On Sunday 4/2, he began coughing incessantly and developed fever up to 103. Thankfully mom took him to the ER And they directly admitted him to Ascension Seton Hayes in Kyle.
The initial diagnosis was strep pharyngitis and significant right sided pneumonia, as well as sepsis (infection in bloodstream). He was immediately started on IV antibiotics and steroids as well as given supplemental oxygen.
Monday and Tuesday 4/3-4/4, he did decently well with supplemental oxygen but Tuesday night it seemed that he was requiring much more effort to breathe. Wednesday (4/5) morning , he then was switched to BiPAP oxygen support which worked better. Throughout the morning we noticed oxygen saturation slowly dropping and respiratory effort slowly worsening. We were already thinking about intubation (thanks to David preparing us for that possibility). David was able to discuss with dad that we were observing his breathing becoming more difficult and he mentioned that “we do have the option to put a tube in and just let you rest and let your body heal because it looks like you’re struggling.” To this, dad gave a thumbs up. (It’s been difficult for us to understand his words due to the mask and a hoarse voice). David then consulted with the supervising provider on floor and he agreed intubation was the best plan.
Intubation was a little rough, as a bystander, because after that, his oxygen saturation worsened and his heart rate elevated and BP dropped. They quickly moved him onto his stomach to facilitate better oxygenation. At this point all his medication settings were maxed out and he was getting the maximum amount of support. When we left the hospital last night, we were unsure what trend we’d see throughout the night and into Thursday morning (today, 4/6). None of us felt hopeful last night. To say it was a difficult day, is an understatement.
Only through God’s power via prayer have we seen improvements last night and this morning. His oxygen saturation is better and he is requiring a lower level of oxygen to get him to that number. He is also requiring a little less blood pressure medication to keep his BP up.
For now, our prayer is that being intubated allows his lungs to heal fully and his sepsis to resolve, and that the Lord will lead the providers to know the right time to begin to he wean off the ventilator. And we pray that would be successful, without any complications. So, we pray fervently, and we wait, and we trust the Lord. He Is in control, but it sure is hard to not be fearful at times.
We don’t know, and may never know, why he got sick so fast. He does take immunosuppressive meds for rheumatoid arthritis and has a steroid hormone deficiency, so we suspect these contributed to some degree.
Thank you for your love and support, and most of all for your prayers to heal Dale completely here on earth, and give us many more years enjoying the wonderful man God made him to be.
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