8/29/2011 - in Traction

We checked in to the hospital this morning, and finally understood why they wanted to do blood work and have Sam not eat after midnight.  The doctor decided to sedate him while they positioned the harness traction.  This allowed for the doctor to manipulate his head and neck with no resistance, in order to get him in the correct position.  He was awake and in a PICU room by 10:45am.  It is my understanding that we will be in this room for the remainder of our stay.

We spent the day mostly just working with the nurses on how to work through many strange circumstances.  The last time a nurse could remember having a patient in a halter traction was 10 years ago.  Typically that would be on a nuero floor or some other department such as if they had a fracture.  However, we are in the ICU because he has to be on the CPAP and they only handle that in the ICU.  The family life center brought us a portable DVD player, however, he couldn't sit up to watch it, so several heads went together to contrive the following

See the small red box hanging above him.  That is the DVD, I believe he was watching Tangled.  Other than that he has played DS, napped and even managed to eat a bit here and there.

They are really amazing here.  Apparently in the ICU the idea is that you do what ever they need to make things work.  The DVD was just the start.  They have propped him on his side (they can do if his body stays in a straight line, which was accomplished with stuffed with blankets everywhere) just so he could nap more comfortably.  They had him fitted for a hard collar already.  The idea is if they can secure where his neck is, they can remove the traction just long enough that he may have the possibility of getting a few minutes upright tomorrow.  That would be very nice.  They also had the respiratory department take his CPAP mask and machine and have ways of making their equipment fit it, because we have to use their humidifier and tubing.  All that just because he'd probably be most comfortable in his own mask.

Also, they had a new blanket and friend waiting for him as soon as he woke up.

The Bear's name is Butter.  Foxy, seen in his arms, came with us for the ride.

Everything is progressing as planned.  Please pray for Sam's comfort, as well our strength.  All the planning and explanation in the world probably would not have been enough to prepare Sam for this.  He is being his usual brave self, he hasn't complained once, though he must be so terribly uncomfortable.  They are giving him pain meds and muscle relaxers to help him tolerate it.  I am amazed at his strength.  Thanks again for the love, prayers and support.