[AlaskaRC] Joe' Catastropic Event!

[Steven Lingle]

Latest update from Monica Ostrom.  Joe is having a rough time and need support from all.
steve
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> Unfortunately, I'm sorry to have to report that yesterday evening Joe aspirated some water while taking his pills and, being unable to cough his way out of it, went into respiratory arrest!! I was right at his bedside and immediately called a code and we manually ambu bagged him until the rapid response team arrived literally within 30 seconds. Anesthesiologists on the team immediately intubated him and rushed him into ICU where they hooked him up to a respirator. Happily a follow up CT brain scan came back negative as to stroke damage. He is moving all extremities and there doesn't appear to be any heart damage so we were able to dodge what could have been a huge catastrophic event.
> They gradually reduced the respirator assistance this afternoon to see if he was able to begin breathing on his own again. As his sedation was slowly reduced, he began to voluntarily begin to breathe on his own and by 6 PM they were able to remove the intubation tube and respirator. He will, however, have to remain in the ICU until all systems stabilize. Then it's back down to the nursing floor where he has to start all over to regain his bowel sounds so he can start eating once again. I anticipate that to take an additional 3-4 days if all goes well.
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> So the poor guy has been through the wringer big time but came out proving that miracles do happen! I continue to sleep on a roll away bed next to him in the ICU and down on the floor. My daughter-in-law and sister-in-law both brought me sandwiches and fruit to sustain myself so I am being well taken care of.
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> Thank you for all of your supportive emails and we hope to be back soon and in stable condition.
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> Monica
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> Monica
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