Monday, March 30

10.30am report: Happy Birthday to Dad… Jeff is our nurse again today and he has assured me that he has decorated dads room with a birthday sign he brought from home.. They are also all wishing happy birthday every time they enter his room.. So today seems pretty stable so far, all levels are steady. They are making sure to move him round a bit more today - that allows them better access to clear out the lungs. All other markers are holding steady. He said that the hospital activity is definitely picking up. Their step down unit is now a full fledged ICU unit and they are utilizing 12 out of 21 ventilators. The first 2 patients were taken off ventilators yesterday, one is in a stop down unit doing well, the other might need the support for a bit longer. The one problem they are having is staffing - pulmonary and ICU specialty staffing is tapped. Today is Shake Shack for lunch, I am heading out now to pick it up and deliver!! Fingers crossed dad stays on the slow steady trend forward…

Family update: Typically it is ideal for people to stay on ventilators for 7 - 10 days, with this virus they are pushing to 10 - 12 days. The next step after that is a tracheotomy which they will not do for COVID-19 patients as it is too much risk for the medical attendants and the distribution of the virus from the airways. They are working to ween patients off before 10 days by constantly rotating their position and providing Lasix which helps to decrease the pressure caused by excess fluid in your lungs. The fluid is then suctioned away. Other risks to look for in addition to the stress on the lungs are to other organs, Kidneys and Heart particularly. Dads kidney functions are stable and his heart is holding strong..

Jeff Collins - nurse who decorated dads room for his 80th birthday.

3pm report: Dr Peppia called and wanted to give an update. She said that everything is really going fine - he is doing well today, they are taking the oxygen levels down and he is moving in the right direction. His labs look a smidge better today than yesterday and that is good.. The productive suctions they have had with him have definitely aided in better breathing patterns. So all in all a good mid afternoon report and glad he is stable.. His room is decorated with signs from the family and birthday wishes..

6.50pm report: Well looks like things are going in dads favor for his birthday. His vent support has improved and the % of oxygen supplied is down with less support from the machine. This all looks promising. His kidneys and heart remain stable. We do have a ways to go and anything can happen - but these are all steps in the right direction. He’s stronger than we know!!

The nurse was tied up in someone’s room tonight so I was not able to get a full update but was told that all is stable and no new news. Have a good night and I’ll call again in the morning

Got this these photos from Nurse Jeff with a note which read: Hi Hillary, sorry it’s so late. Just getting off my shift and wanted to send these before I forgot. I’ll be back in next weekend. Wish you all the best. Jeff, RN Greenwich MSICU - How amazing is he..