Really. Can we catch a fuddruckin’ break? Seriously.
We had a bit of a scare yesterday night with Ryan’s oxygenation. After showering him and getting him in bed we rolled him onto his side to expose his butt rash to the air. Delighted in the fact that his blood pressure was normal, I completely overlooked his oxygen saturation until the monitor began alarming. It was screaming at us to pay attention. Well, I guess that teaches me NEVER to relax.
The monitor was flashing like crazy. Normally, I like being flashed, but this was not what I had in mind. Within a minute, his oxygen saturation dropped into the low to mid eighties. Not a safe level if it continues, but not quite a full-blown crisis… yet. In simple terms, oxygen saturation is the percentage of oxygen reaching tissues through the blood. One-hundred percent is ideal. When it gets below ninety-two percent there is not enough pressure to push oxygen into the red blood cells. Now the cells are beginning to starve of oxygen. Below eighty-eight percent is considered dangerous deprivation and must be resolved quickly.
So, I switched into “Doctor Mode”, barking out orders to the nurse and Sue (sorry, Sue). “I need the suction catheter and lubricating jelly. Get him on supplemental oxygen at ten liters. Roll him on his back and get him to forty degrees inclined. Prepared the nebulizer with a vial of albuterol and iprarropium. Start percussion therapy. Bring the cough assist machine. Give me a respiration count. Are his fingernail beds blue? See if he is invoking secondary muscles in his stomach to draw in more air.” Yep, I literally felt myself step out of my body. A technique that now comes naturally that separates me from the emotion of the moment.
Anyhow, we turned the situation around and his oxygen returned into the high nineties.Then, just like clockwork, the fear that I was holding at bay washed over me. Sure, nothing to be fearful of now, now that the crises was resolved… but strong emotions really don’t give a rat’s ass about timing.
I allowed my mind’s image of Vantrease and May in. The fear stepped aside for pure anger and disdain. Ahhh, this is better, I thought. Then, just for good measure, I included their families in my internal vision. What a terrible family portrait that made! I laughed at this thought.
Ryan eventually settled around ninety-five percent for the night. I’m still not sure what caused this, but suspect he had a mucus plug partially obstructing his airway.
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Oh Ken, I’m so sorry. My heart hurts for what you and your family go through. It is a constant battle and it comes at you in every direction…I so wish I could make it stop.
I will continue to hold each of you in my heart and in my prayers.
YOU GOT THIS KEN!! As much as we wish you didn’t have to “get this”… YOU GOT THIS and until your Ryan is whole, WE GOT YOU.
With love and in prayer,
Keri, My Frankie and Family
Wow Ken, you are really amazing at how you know so much. You could pass for a doctor. I think when Ryan gets better, you may want to restart your career in acting. Playing a role in a medical profession, how could anyone doubt you. Another thought is entering the medical field itself like an EMT or something. No question in my mind you would be good at it, you already are. Glad you took care of Ryan’s issue and thank God you were there. God Bless you.
Good grief Ken,
You don’t get a break!
If only the Ruby Hospital staff could see you now! 🙂
So thankful Ryan has you.
Ken , Hoping that peace and calm are with you all tonight ,You’re all amazing .Give Ryan a big hug and tell him we are thinking about you all always Love Gail
Gosh Ken for a few minutes I thought I was back in ICU. O2 sat decreased….accessory muscles, nailbeds, albuterol, percussion, suction. The adrenalin kicks in, training and instinct take over. You are an incredible caregiver for Ryan, as good as or better than some of the nurses I worked with. God bless you and guide you especially in the next few weeks.
Last night I looked at images of skin rash that might look like Ryan’s. Of course I am not there but my first thought as I have mentioned before is contact dermatitis. I found this link and perhaps you can find not only ideas but I think you might be intrigued, as I am, about the various natural remedies for various problems.
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/dermatitis.html
Thank you!
Glad you were able to correct the problem. I pray for Ryan and the family daily.
I thank God every day that Ryan has you caring for him, and pray that you and Sue can enjoy a drama-free evening with him tonight. On a side note, I ordered something from Ryan’s wish list but it’s still on the list, so I must not have followed proper procedure. I’ll let you know what it is so you can cross that item off. Hugs to all of you <3
What a story! Reminds me once again that “Nothing is going to happen today that you and God can’t handle! These events are so scary. I, like Paula, had to go back and read it again after the shock of it. And how is your blood pressure, Kenneth? Keeping it in check? Take care of yourself, so we don’t have to yell at you! Always here with hope and love.
If the attack weren’t horrendous enough, it’s the perpetual collateral damage bombarding you at every turn. I don’t think anyone, including the felons and their families, can fathom the enormity of this situation. Please Lord, let the Divineys catch a break, and please let them feel the love and prayers surrounding them. SHSP NGA.
Was just praying for you guys last night and now this post serves as a stark reminder as to why I should continue to do so. A crisis like this should never become the norm in anyone’s life. I only hope that calm and peace gradually return to the Diviney household as Ryan continues to improve.
First, I am thankful that Ryan is okay and that you were swiftly able to get the situation under control.
Second, I had kind of an out of body experience reading how you dashed into action and did all the necessary medical interventions to restore and normalize Ryan’s oxygen levels….it was like watching a segment of E.R. in my mind’s eye. As often happens when reading your posts, I was also holding my breath til I got to the end. Wow, Ken, just — wow. Your courage, ingenuity and skils never cease to amaze me.
Now I’m going to go back and re-read your post so I can fully fathom it, because, the things you accomplish every day on behalf of your precious son are incredible.
Love & prayers, always,
Paula
Upon reading, this sounded too much like a well written (if that is even remotely possible) TV script, albeit sadly, it is your reality. You don’t get to say…”it’s alright, I play a doctor on TV.” because you are a OJT Doctor in real life.
We understand never letting your guard down and never being able to relax, however, not to your extent. Ryan could get absolutely NO better care. Thankful the team of three were able to solve the problem and another crisis averted…. for now.
The Lord Bless you and keep you,
OMG, Ken–apparently, no, you cannot catch a break. You are so finely tuned to your ‘job’ now. I think you are beyond incredible…you are now this magna-bot who swings into action when Ryan needs you the most. OMG, is all i can say.i think this is your new ‘normal’….perhaps if you think in these terms and a ‘quiet’ day comes along, what a surprise gift THAT will be for you and Ryan. We can only hope and pray. So, no rest for the weary…all you can say is, “Please, God help me and Ryan.” You have nothing to lose by saying this–go on, try it–you’ll see, nothing bad can happen because you repeat these words. Just say them…..Prayers and love, Annie
So glad you were able to get Ryan’s oxygen saturation back up! My prayers are with you all daily.