Hi all - you can expect updates later in the evening/night (after 9pm). Drea is typically at the hospital until visiting hours are over (8:30pm) and to make the updates as thorough as possible, we'll wait until after we've have the chance to talk with Drea. If there is any news we feel is worthy of sharing more immediately, we will do so. Thanks again for all of the support and outreach!
- Tesa & Vanessa
Early Saturday morning, March 27th, Rick was taken to Fairview Ridges hospital by ambulance after suffering from cardiac arrest. Upon arrival at their house, the paramedics had to shock his heart three times to restore a heartbeat. He was placed on a breathing device/ventilator and sedated to keep him comfortable then transported to the hospital. We were advised by the ER doctor that his vitals were stable and they had begun cooling his body temperature to reduce damage to the brain, mitigate inflammation and increase the chances of a full recovery (therapeutic hypothermia:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/therapeutic-hypothermia-after-cardiac-arrest). After they ran some tests/scans, Drea, Becca & Alex were allowed to see him but he remained in the medically induced coma. The EKG was initially showing he was in atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm) but while still in the ER, it returned to a regular, sinus rhythm. They decided to transfer him to Fairview Southdale, where they have 24x7 cardiac staff and a cath lab.
At Southdale hospital, he was taken to the catheterization lab where they were able to look at his heart more closely. They did not find any blockage but they saw scarring (possibly from a past heart attack or stent placement). They believe the scarring may have caused or contributed to the irregular heart rhythm/cardiac arrest and have made a plan to implant a defibrillator. The defibrillator monitors for the irregular heart rhythm and, if detected, delivers electrical shocks to one or more wires connected to the heart to return it to a regular rhythm.
The treatment plan was laid out as follows:
* hypothermic therapy for 24 hrs
* remain on ventilator and sedation during cooling therapy
* re-warm body temp to normal (approx. 12hr process)
* reduce sedation
* remove ventilator
* monitor/test brain function
* implant defibrillator
The re-warming process was completed yesterday (Sunday) and they began decreasing his sedation meds around 7am this morning. Around 10am, they were seeing seizure like brain activity so they returned sedation to the previous level and he was administered anti-seizure meds twice today. The doctors assured the family that this is not cause for alarm, it is not indicative that he won't recover they simply needed to stabilize his brain and will try again tomorrow.
As you can imagine, this is a very challenging and emotional time for the family. Only one person is allowed in the ICU with Rick, which means Drea, Vanessa, Becca & Alex (and the rest of his family) cannot be all together to support each other. We know the support system is deep and wide, your love has been and continues to be felt. A meal train has been set up, so if you are able to help out with meals (either providing home cooked, store bought or via food delivery service). Thank you!
