TG is back asleep. One of the medical team was trying to help TG out while she slept and get her an oxygen mask, so we didn’t have to choose between controlling her pain and letting her sleep.
Setting the mask down next to TG was enough to wake her… and freak her right out. She had been sleeping so well, too. The problem is I’d stopped triggering her pain meds, so she woke up very uncomfortable…. on top of being completely freaked out. She asked to be laid down flat, so we did another roll early.
So yeah, that oxygen mask thingie didn’t end well.
TG had the presence of mind to remember wearing a breathing tube in the recovery room, and asked for one of those instead. I asked the main nurse to note the fearful reaction to the mask, and requested a breathing tube instead. TG dropped off to sleep, and her oxygen level started tanking again. Ugh.
The nurse saw it on her monitors as well, and put in the order for the breathing tube ASAP. TG’s wearing it now, and with the setting on low, her oxygen level is 99% with her asleep, and plenty of pain meds flowing. So good news there.
I talked with the intern/assistant to the thoracic surgeon this morning during her morning rounds, and we did cover the situation with the pain meds. Short version of that story: the pain meds may also be slowing her digestive tract down. That’s annoying, because TG really really really wants some gatorade. The medical team is talking it over now to make sure everyone’s in agreement as to whether TG is ready to move beyond ice chips yet, and it would be a slam dunk if her digestive tract would cooperate.
At least she’s sleeping again, her vitals are in really good shape, and she already had another move at 430, so hopefully she can stay out for another hour+ again.
It sounds like they’re about to do shift change. I might need to barracade the doorway to make sure people let her sleep.