My stepfather has COPD. No one knows what stage.
He complained on Sat and Sun of weakness, shortness of breath, not hungry, etc. Sunday evening my mom was going to take him to hospital. He told her to call 911. Ambulance arrives. He is put in ambulance. He responded to name and birthdate and then went into respiratory failure.
He was intubated, ventilated, sedated, given antibiotics, etc. At ER, he labored breathing EVEN after being ventilated. Horrible sight. Moved to ICU.
Monday he was sedated all day. Ventilator regulated breathing. Tried rousing him, he tried to rip out tubes, sedated again. Gave him feeding tube. Restrained his arms.,
Tuesday they tried to rouse him again. Was able to breathe assisted for about an hour, had issue after that, sedated again.
Wednesday, same thing as Tuesday but now we are told that he has pneumonia. Temp is between 99-100, feels hot to touch, less sedated but still no eyes open, etc.
What is going on? From what I’ve researched, they are weaning him off ventilator and sedation BUT how long will that take? Is it definite he CAN be weaned?
I feel like we aren’t being given all info and I’m not equipped to ask the right questions and don’t know what to look for? I’ve looked online, but it’s lots of medical jargin. I am the step daughter—I’m trying to help my mom who seems to think all will be ok soon—cuz that’s what the ICU nurse is alluding to. But in my heart, I feel like he’s fighting for his life.
Looking for education, help, support.