He's a fighter!

We left the hospital feeling much better today than in previous days. My dad's now at Capital Health System Center Institute for Neurosciences in Trenton, NJ. The staff and nurses have been wonderful and they only do stroke so they are all specialized. It's a smaller hospital so he is getting individualized care and being in the ICU, the nurses are quick to his bedside if needed.

They removed the breathing tube and feeding tube this morning and dad is doing fine breathing on his own. He was a little out of it for most of the day with all the changes and trauma. He smiled at us but he didn't talk too much. He had a male nurse, Diego, who couldn't believe how strong he was, fighting them when they tried to take the tube out in the morning.. took a few people to hold him down.

This evening before we left, my dad quickly came to it... Diego told us that they were going to put an NG tube (through nose) to feed him because they don't know if he can swallow or anything. Dave and I asked if they were going to sedate him to do this as we knew he would not do well. Diego felt he was so out of it that he probably woudn't notice. Dave and I said ok, give it a try, snickering.

They started the procedure and my dad began to fight them.... he came out of his slumber and said "NO WAY! You're not putting that in me!!" Ha! Diego told him he had to drink some medicine if he didn't want a tube, and he proceeded to drink several sips through a straw. YES!! Then my mom told him they were going to take him down to get a pic line put in so they can administer meds and get blood and not have to stick him. He responded "I don't want it." She tried to con him and explain that it will make it easier on him. He said "I understand you and i don't want it!" Needless to say, he didn't have much of a choice.

He also looks like a mummy as they have an EEG monitoring his brain, so his head is wrapped in gauze.

The neurologist sat and met with our family and talked about all they think is going on. They are not convinced that this is a stroke and are going to do several more non-invasive tests to see what's going on, but not duplicate anything. Most tests will be done in the next 24 hrs, so we should know something. the doctor said he won't leave until we have an answer.

So things are looking up a little, let's hope tomorrow brings some answers and good news. One good thing is that Dave and I found the patient lounge and they have free Tastycakes! I stocked my purse. Yum.

More tomorrow... thanks for all the calls and emails. We appreciate it so much.

kristi