Lots of good news tonight in a very short post.
First, Trent is out of the ICU and back in the Transplant Unit on the eighth floor! Still no visitors - his body is fighting hard to ward off infection without an immune system - but Jill and Trent have their own "apartment" again, complete with a recliner for Jill to sleep in and a view of Cleveland. The room is small, but it's much larger than the ICU waiting room efficiency that Jill had set up for a while...and it has a shower. :-)
Second, food! Real, solid food! Well, solid, hospital food (can't always be called real food), but food just the same.
Third, no more supplemental oxygen! Trent is breathing room air, and his oxygen saturation level (O2 sat) is at 98% (out of 100%) - that's better than many "healthy" people!
Sorry for the bullet points, but I wanted to make sure the info got up tonight. There are a couple of people from the Cinci area who are headed up to Cleveland this weekend - not to visit (have I mentioned NO VISITORS?) but to drop off cards, etc. at the hospital, so if you have something that you want to make the trip but don't want to send by mail, drop a comment on the blog or leave a note on the Friends of Trent Todd Facebook page, and I'll get you in contact with the appropriate delivery person.
I'm sure I don't even have to say it, but Trent is still pushing...you keep praying!
The Todds
I'll keep pushing, you keep praying!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Update #47 - Just Breathing
Breathing is rarely exciting. But less than three weeks after a lung transplant, breathing is all the excitement we could hope for.
Trent continues to do well, working on his breathing exercises, sitting in his chair, watching a lot of stupid daytime TV, spending quality time with Jill. Slow updates are the best updates...no news means life is as normal as it can get in the hospital.
One quick apology - I mis-spoke (typed) about Father's Day in my last post. Sophia and Bryce will celebrate Father's Day with their dad, but it will be on their own Father's Day - not June 19th but as soon as Trent is able to have visitors. No matter what day it falls on for them, though, I'm sure it will mean so much more this year...
On the note of visitors, just another reminder that Trent still cannot afford exposure to the germs that visits would bring. Feel free to send him your love, encouragement, prayers, jokes and workout routines via Facebook, blog, email or snail mail, but save the in-person affection for later. If the warning of infection isn't enough of a deterrent for you, just remember the Trent that we knew before pulmonary fibrosis and know that visits mean a Coach Todd who will exhaust himself trying to entertain you, and will likely make himself sick in the process. We all want to see Trent...but we want him healthy even more.
Dads, hug your kids a little harder this Sunday, and kids, hug your dads. And if you think of it, throw a little extra love in there for Trent and his kids... Even miles away, you know they'll still be loving each other even more this year.
Keep praying...
Trent continues to do well, working on his breathing exercises, sitting in his chair, watching a lot of stupid daytime TV, spending quality time with Jill. Slow updates are the best updates...no news means life is as normal as it can get in the hospital.
One quick apology - I mis-spoke (typed) about Father's Day in my last post. Sophia and Bryce will celebrate Father's Day with their dad, but it will be on their own Father's Day - not June 19th but as soon as Trent is able to have visitors. No matter what day it falls on for them, though, I'm sure it will mean so much more this year...
On the note of visitors, just another reminder that Trent still cannot afford exposure to the germs that visits would bring. Feel free to send him your love, encouragement, prayers, jokes and workout routines via Facebook, blog, email or snail mail, but save the in-person affection for later. If the warning of infection isn't enough of a deterrent for you, just remember the Trent that we knew before pulmonary fibrosis and know that visits mean a Coach Todd who will exhaust himself trying to entertain you, and will likely make himself sick in the process. We all want to see Trent...but we want him healthy even more.
Dads, hug your kids a little harder this Sunday, and kids, hug your dads. And if you think of it, throw a little extra love in there for Trent and his kids... Even miles away, you know they'll still be loving each other even more this year.
Keep praying...
Monday, June 13, 2011
Update #46 - More Progress
Just a quick update to let you know that things are still going well. Trent sat up in a chair for three hours on Saturday (double his first attempt!), and the doctors gave Jill breathing exercises to help him do during commercial breaks. The goal (and major prayer for this week): get Trent out of the ICU and back to the 8th floor (Transplant Unit) by this weekend, when Sophia and Bryce will finally get to see their dad with his new lungs. Be praying!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Update #45 - Willpower
Well, Trent got his way on one thing yesterday - he got to sit up in a chair for an hour and a half. As soon as he was sitting up, he asked again for a meal and a soda...still no luck on those, but maybe today.
Jill has officially moved out of the waiting room "efficiency apartment" and into the Guest House across the street from Cleveland Clinic. Although she was sad to go, she is enjoying a real bed, lights you can turn off at night, and a "shower" that involves a sink in a bathroom stall.
More good news coming soon! Keep praying!
Jill has officially moved out of the waiting room "efficiency apartment" and into the Guest House across the street from Cleveland Clinic. Although she was sad to go, she is enjoying a real bed, lights you can turn off at night, and a "shower" that involves a sink in a bathroom stall.
More good news coming soon! Keep praying!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sidenote - Visiting Cleveland
If you missed Update #44 below, be sure to scroll down and check it out - good stuff!
That being said, because people have been asking about visiting Trent now that he is awake, our resident medical expert (and Trent's personal nurse when he is in Cincinnati) Ronda wanted to give some guidelines. Based on her experience and recommendations, the current request is that nobody aside from close family try to visit Trent until Jill returns from Cleveland. Her return will indicate that he has progressed out of any significant danger (and likely that he is out of the ICU) and that he may be able to see visitors for short amounts of time (knowing Trent, Jill will have to be the one to enforce the "short amounts of time." Poor guy hasn't been able to talk in months!).
Because of the immunosuppressive (anti-rejection) meds that Trent is on to prevent him from rejecting his new lungs as foreign bodies, he has no immune system right now. Not only does that put Trent at a HUGE risk for catching anything that visitors might be carrying, it also means that if Jill were to catch something, she wouldn't be able to visit him either. As time goes on, the risk for rejection and infection decreases, but especially during the initial weeks, the best way to protect Trent is to avoid visitors as much as possible.
As things change, we will keep the blog and Facebook updated on Trent's status and when he may be able to have visitors. Until then, just keep praying!
That being said, because people have been asking about visiting Trent now that he is awake, our resident medical expert (and Trent's personal nurse when he is in Cincinnati) Ronda wanted to give some guidelines. Based on her experience and recommendations, the current request is that nobody aside from close family try to visit Trent until Jill returns from Cleveland. Her return will indicate that he has progressed out of any significant danger (and likely that he is out of the ICU) and that he may be able to see visitors for short amounts of time (knowing Trent, Jill will have to be the one to enforce the "short amounts of time." Poor guy hasn't been able to talk in months!).
Because of the immunosuppressive (anti-rejection) meds that Trent is on to prevent him from rejecting his new lungs as foreign bodies, he has no immune system right now. Not only does that put Trent at a HUGE risk for catching anything that visitors might be carrying, it also means that if Jill were to catch something, she wouldn't be able to visit him either. As time goes on, the risk for rejection and infection decreases, but especially during the initial weeks, the best way to protect Trent is to avoid visitors as much as possible.
As things change, we will keep the blog and Facebook updated on Trent's status and when he may be able to have visitors. Until then, just keep praying!
Update #44 - Just As We Suspected
Of course, as soon as we talk about how Trent will wake up when he wants to wake up...he does exactly that.
Last night, Trent decided he was ready to be awake and truly use his lungs for the first time. It happened very suddenly (as expected), and he hasn't stopped talking since (also expected). He wants to know everything the nurses are doing to him, who has been keeping up with his progress (I don't think he's seen the prayer map yet), the names of all of his caretakers... He also wants food, soda, and a chair to sit in (he got stuck with water and tipping his bed up a little further). Anybody surprised by any of this news?
No more machines, very few meds, and LOTS of talking! Trent has new lungs, and he's ready to start living again.
He's still in the ICU, and obviously still has a ways to go, so don't stop praying! That being said, throw up a bunch of praises and prayers of thanks as well - Coach Todd is back!
Last night, Trent decided he was ready to be awake and truly use his lungs for the first time. It happened very suddenly (as expected), and he hasn't stopped talking since (also expected). He wants to know everything the nurses are doing to him, who has been keeping up with his progress (I don't think he's seen the prayer map yet), the names of all of his caretakers... He also wants food, soda, and a chair to sit in (he got stuck with water and tipping his bed up a little further). Anybody surprised by any of this news?
No more machines, very few meds, and LOTS of talking! Trent has new lungs, and he's ready to start living again.
He's still in the ICU, and obviously still has a ways to go, so don't stop praying! That being said, throw up a bunch of praises and prayers of thanks as well - Coach Todd is back!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Update #43 - Between Sleeping and Waking
Have you ever had one of those moments as you are waking up when you genuinely cannot determine what is real and what is a dream? Welcome to the last three days of Trent's life.
Each day since Saturday, the nurses have worked to get Trent completely off of the machine that has been helping him breathe since he got his new lungs. In order to do this, however, Coach Todd has to be completely awake and, obviously, aware of the fact that he has new lungs that will allow him to take a deep breath. Unfortunately, the last time Trent was awake (and for months before), he wasn't able to breathe deeply. And I wonder how many times over those months he dreamed that he had new lungs, only to wake up and be disappointed.
Because of this sleep/wake mix, every time the nurses try to wake him up completely and get him to breathe on his own, Coach Todd's semi-dream state makes it difficult for him to process the fact that the new lungs are real and he can breathe normally, and his anxiety over not being able to breathe makes his blood pressure go up. In spite of reassurances from Jill and the nurses, Trent hasn't been able to calm himself down, and they have had to let him go back to sleep again.
Jill is convinced that sooner rather than later, Trent will be just awake enough for it to click that he has new lungs and he can breathe again. And when that happens...well, I hope Jill gets a picture...or better yet, a video. Because chances are, he'll take two or three deep breaths, then introduce himself to his nurse and everyone else in the ICU, and Cleveland Clinic will finally get to meet the man we all know and love.
Overall, Trent is doing well, and the staff at Cleveland Clinic knows that eventually, the reality will set in, and he will finally get to appreciate his new lungs. Be praying that eventually comes quickly.
Each day since Saturday, the nurses have worked to get Trent completely off of the machine that has been helping him breathe since he got his new lungs. In order to do this, however, Coach Todd has to be completely awake and, obviously, aware of the fact that he has new lungs that will allow him to take a deep breath. Unfortunately, the last time Trent was awake (and for months before), he wasn't able to breathe deeply. And I wonder how many times over those months he dreamed that he had new lungs, only to wake up and be disappointed.
Because of this sleep/wake mix, every time the nurses try to wake him up completely and get him to breathe on his own, Coach Todd's semi-dream state makes it difficult for him to process the fact that the new lungs are real and he can breathe normally, and his anxiety over not being able to breathe makes his blood pressure go up. In spite of reassurances from Jill and the nurses, Trent hasn't been able to calm himself down, and they have had to let him go back to sleep again.
Jill is convinced that sooner rather than later, Trent will be just awake enough for it to click that he has new lungs and he can breathe again. And when that happens...well, I hope Jill gets a picture...or better yet, a video. Because chances are, he'll take two or three deep breaths, then introduce himself to his nurse and everyone else in the ICU, and Cleveland Clinic will finally get to meet the man we all know and love.
Overall, Trent is doing well, and the staff at Cleveland Clinic knows that eventually, the reality will set in, and he will finally get to appreciate his new lungs. Be praying that eventually comes quickly.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Update #41 - Breathing!
Trent and his new lungs breathed for two hours without any help from a machine last night!
Although he is still partially asleep, Trent is also responding to yes/no questions by shaking his head. Is he in pain? Head shake yes (got pain meds for that, by the way). Can he hear Jill talking to him? Head shake yes (plus a hand squeeze). Happy that Tressel resigned as Ohio State's head coach? Lots of excited head shaking (Coach Todd is not an Ohio State fan).
Aside from pain meds and insulin, Trent is off of all medicine, and his vitals are staying exactly where the doctors want them.
Keep praying!
Although he is still partially asleep, Trent is also responding to yes/no questions by shaking his head. Is he in pain? Head shake yes (got pain meds for that, by the way). Can he hear Jill talking to him? Head shake yes (plus a hand squeeze). Happy that Tressel resigned as Ohio State's head coach? Lots of excited head shaking (Coach Todd is not an Ohio State fan).
Aside from pain meds and insulin, Trent is off of all medicine, and his vitals are staying exactly where the doctors want them.
Keep praying!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Update #40 - Wakey, Wakey!
Trent is starting to wake up! The process will be very gradual - his body is still in shock from the surgery - but he is beginning to respond to voices and small requests (he opened his mouth when the nurse asked him to). The current goal is for him to start moving his hands and feet on his own to wake them up as the rest of his body continues to come out of the fog that surgery put him in.
Trent is off of all medications except his insulin (which he was on long before the transplant) and the meds for his blood pressure, which is normal after a transplant. The nurses are very pleased with his progress, and everything is going as well as could be hoped for.
One side note: the information that I am posting is coming directly from Jill (or whoever is sitting with her at the hospital) and is being communicated exactly how she would like it to be. Trent is still a patient, and more importantly, Jill's husband, and we have to respect both patient confidentiality and Trent and Jill's personal privacy. I know we are all desperate for information, but if you have specific questions regarding anything that is posted, please get in touch with your personal contact in a private Facebook message or email. Please don't ask detailed medical or personal questions on the public Facebook forum or in the Comments section of the blog, and please do not contact Jill directly. After such a long and exhausting week, she is looking forward to the "quiet" of the ICU and some private time to sit with Trent as he wakes up with his new lungs.
Thanks, and keep praying!
Trent is off of all medications except his insulin (which he was on long before the transplant) and the meds for his blood pressure, which is normal after a transplant. The nurses are very pleased with his progress, and everything is going as well as could be hoped for.
One side note: the information that I am posting is coming directly from Jill (or whoever is sitting with her at the hospital) and is being communicated exactly how she would like it to be. Trent is still a patient, and more importantly, Jill's husband, and we have to respect both patient confidentiality and Trent and Jill's personal privacy. I know we are all desperate for information, but if you have specific questions regarding anything that is posted, please get in touch with your personal contact in a private Facebook message or email. Please don't ask detailed medical or personal questions on the public Facebook forum or in the Comments section of the blog, and please do not contact Jill directly. After such a long and exhausting week, she is looking forward to the "quiet" of the ICU and some private time to sit with Trent as he wakes up with his new lungs.
Thanks, and keep praying!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Update #39 - Still Positive...
Trent had a very quiet night - always positive news in the ICU.
One important thing that the nurse noted last night is that Trent's new lungs are utilizing the oxygen that they are giving him very well. They are looking for a utilization number above 100, and his was near 140 - Trent may not be able to feel his new lungs working yet, but they are working!
Because he won't be able to eat on his own for a while, the doctors will be putting in a feeding tube that will make sure he is getting nutrition for the time being. Trent probably won't make it up to his football weight on the "milkshakes" they will be giving him, but yeah for calories!
Jill's "apartment" seems to be improving day by day, with the addition of a few vinyl couches for sleeping last night. Hopefully, once Trent is completely stable, she will be able to move to a real room across the street from the hospital at the Guest House provided for transplant families. The night receptionist seems to have it out for the Todd crew and their home-away-from-home, so I'm sure she won't be sorry to see them go.
One final reminder: no news is good news! We may not get many updates today, which means that Trent is stable and things are progressing well. If I do hear anything, I will certainly let you know. Keep praying!
One important thing that the nurse noted last night is that Trent's new lungs are utilizing the oxygen that they are giving him very well. They are looking for a utilization number above 100, and his was near 140 - Trent may not be able to feel his new lungs working yet, but they are working!
Because he won't be able to eat on his own for a while, the doctors will be putting in a feeding tube that will make sure he is getting nutrition for the time being. Trent probably won't make it up to his football weight on the "milkshakes" they will be giving him, but yeah for calories!
Jill's "apartment" seems to be improving day by day, with the addition of a few vinyl couches for sleeping last night. Hopefully, once Trent is completely stable, she will be able to move to a real room across the street from the hospital at the Guest House provided for transplant families. The night receptionist seems to have it out for the Todd crew and their home-away-from-home, so I'm sure she won't be sorry to see them go.
One final reminder: no news is good news! We may not get many updates today, which means that Trent is stable and things are progressing well. If I do hear anything, I will certainly let you know. Keep praying!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Update #38 - All Good
Jill and Greg got to meet with Dr. Budev, the doctor that Trent and Jill first met with at Cleveland Clinic, earlier today. Overall, she is very optimistic about Trent's progress and outlook. She described Trent's new lungs as "beautiful" and said they were the best possible donor lungs (God knew what he was doing in rejecting the first two sets). Trent's vitals are stable, and he is progressing as the doctors would hope.
In the conversation, Dr. Budev also reminded Jill that we are less than 24 hours after the transplant, a very major surgery. Trent's youth and fitness levels are definite pluses in terms of his recovery, but it will still be a long road. She stressed the element of TIME (Greg added PRAYER to that) for Trent's healing. There is a reason he was number one on the National Transplant List - he was pretty sick prior to the surgery, which impacts the time it takes to recover. Overall, however, Trent is doing well.
Jill is doing okay, and the positive reports from the doctors have definitely lifted her spirits. She and Trent's sister Jessica have set up a nice "efficiency apartment," as they call it, in their corner of the ICU waiting room, a sign that they both have a sense of humor still well intact. The waiting room is aptly named, though, for as we wait from wherever we are, Jill, Jessica and the rest of their support system sit and wait as well. Be praying for peace and patience for everyone there, and for more progress in Trent's recovery today.
In the conversation, Dr. Budev also reminded Jill that we are less than 24 hours after the transplant, a very major surgery. Trent's youth and fitness levels are definite pluses in terms of his recovery, but it will still be a long road. She stressed the element of TIME (Greg added PRAYER to that) for Trent's healing. There is a reason he was number one on the National Transplant List - he was pretty sick prior to the surgery, which impacts the time it takes to recover. Overall, however, Trent is doing well.
Jill is doing okay, and the positive reports from the doctors have definitely lifted her spirits. She and Trent's sister Jessica have set up a nice "efficiency apartment," as they call it, in their corner of the ICU waiting room, a sign that they both have a sense of humor still well intact. The waiting room is aptly named, though, for as we wait from wherever we are, Jill, Jessica and the rest of their support system sit and wait as well. Be praying for peace and patience for everyone there, and for more progress in Trent's recovery today.
Update #37 - Good Night
Trent had a good night last night. His vitals improved steadily, and the machine that is supporting his breathing was reduced (basically, he is breathing more on his own than the machine is breathing for him). Jill got to see him briefly again this morning and said he is looking good.
Just a note that Trent will stay asleep until the doctors feel he has recovered enough from surgery to wake up. Once he does wake, he will essentially need to relearn to breathe with healthy lungs since he has been breathing with scarred lungs for so long. Waking up and taking a deep breath may still be a ways off, but he is doing great, and the doctors are very pleased.
Keep praying!
Just a note that Trent will stay asleep until the doctors feel he has recovered enough from surgery to wake up. Once he does wake, he will essentially need to relearn to breathe with healthy lungs since he has been breathing with scarred lungs for so long. Waking up and taking a deep breath may still be a ways off, but he is doing great, and the doctors are very pleased.
Keep praying!
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