Quiet after storm

The quiet day we expected yesterday turned into a storm! The lesions in Tom's trach appeared to be a little worse again so I called Dr. Merati's nurse. She checked with the doc who said he wanted Tom to take the trach tube out and leave it out and to see him on Monday morning. This left both of us a little concerned--it's been like a security blanket knowing that it was keeping the trach open. What would happen without it even though that was the eventual goal?

About 2:00 in the afternoon I heard a thud and knew Tom had fallen. He had tried to kick something out of the way and took a tumble--right on his nose and forehead which he really skinned up. I was afraid he had had another stroke but he fought his way up (I wanted him to stay down until I knew he was ok) and assured me he was ok--kind of! After the fall he was very agitated. Talked to the hospice triage nurse (which I am REALLY starting to appreciate-- you can call ANYTIME and they answer right away!) and she suggested a little lorazapam. I was nervous that it might affect his breathing (relax him too much) but I was wrong and it did the job. Tom was able to relax and actually get some sleep. But after sleeping for awhile he woke with blood in his mouth and it just wouldn't stop--didn't think about him being on Plavex. A visiting nurse stopped by to check him out which made me feel much better before sleeping.

Tom was up and down most of the night but this morning we both went back to sleep after breakfast. We're trying feeding Tom just in the G tube since there is no longer any danger of aspirating. He likes it better--says it's more natural. It gets him away from the pump which he hates. Hopefully this will work for him.

We're still planning on trying "coffee and a little cake" on Christmas--might be Christmas eve--we'll see how he's doing.

So far today is that quiet day I've been hoping for. Praying it continues.