Morning of Day 20

Last evening was a definite mark of improvement. Chris was in the 90's and even touched 100 a few times. the late night was a bit difficult. the nurses had to move him a bit and changed out some stuff on his breathing tubes.he didn't like that. the nurse said it sounded a bit looser to her in his chest, a good thing. when i left this morning he was running an 88 oxy with no fever.
Connor had a rough start today. he is still not feeling well. it still seems to be a simple head cold, no fever still.
i slept pretty well in Chris's room last night. i was so glad to see him touch 100. now that i know he can get there, it is a few ounces off my shoulders. its still going to be a long road. i think his dad may be spending Halloween with us. Chris's stepmother Saunie finally got to fly in a couple days ago. its really great to have so much family around right now. Chris's brother Jon is here as long as he can, but he has a family and a job he will have to return to in Utah in mid October. Chris didn't get to see Jon before he was put on life support but I'm sure he knows his little brother is here for him.
this is day 20 in the ICU, and day 7 of life support. Chris has a wonderful medical team tending to him 24/7. I'm so grateful for them all. the med team has been awesome to everyone involved in any way with whats going on. THANK YOU MED STAFF.
I am going to spend more time with the kids this morning and i will go back in this afternoon.

Thanks for the continued support. well talk again soon
Amanda

a good note

today was a strenuous day, but we are ending on a good note. Chris's oxy is in the high 90's and has even touched 100 a few times. his pulse is around 120 he is resting comfortably under sedation. i get to spend the night with Chris tonight. the lab drew blood again around 8pm to test again for kidney function. tonight's nurse put his bed on a light rotation again and he seems to be responding to it well.
bailey is having a difficult time tonight. both kids are asking for daddy and having some trouble understanding why they cant come see daddy. they have their puppy beds and home pillows and get their own room tonight. i will see them first thing in the morning. Grammy made them chocolate chip cookies and milk before bed. Connor is doing well with his breathing treatments.
cross your fingers the 100 continues. my stress level lately has been sky high, but I'm dealing ok. its been so great that the nurses continue to let me help care for Chris. i have learned so much from them. i feel i will be fairly well prepared when Chris comes home.

we'll talk soon
Amanda

bad night

last night was rough, Chris's dad stayed with him. his kidney function dropped down to 10%. kidneys were at 90% yesterday. his blood gases were a smidgen improved. his chest x-ray has a bit more gray instead of white. the nursed changed some tubes and got some fluid release, the dr was very pleased with this. the respiratory therapist worked on a few things and got some positive results. his oxy is currently at 89, Chris got as high as 96 yesterday,and his pulse is in the 120's.
last night the kids asked for their dad several times. i explained to them that only grown ups are allowed in the room right now and mommy has to go to the hospital daily to help take care of daddy so he can get better. today is day 19 in the ICU.
the kids and i slept at home last night in my bed, grandma saunie slept in the living room. i don't know what tonight's sleep situation will be. Connor has started a head cold and is now back of full time nebulizer treatments. he should be fine.
A big thanks to my sis Andrea for lending me her spare laptop.
there have been a lot of friends and family coming by lately, it has been great. everyone is welcome anytime. thank you all for your posts to the blog.

will post again soon
Amanda

tid bits of improvement

today's chest x-ray showed more light gray area in the left lung. Chris' kidney function is at 90%. the oxygen in his blood gases are up a few points. his oxygen sats are at 90 or higher today. Dr.S can't say for sure but is hopeful that chris' lungs are healing and not scaring.
the kids had a rough night. they are really missing their dad. i got to spend the night in chris' room on a cot. it was so good to sleep close to my husband again. tonight the kids and i will go home to sleep.
i will try to post again this evening.
Thank you all, it has been so much easier for me to deal with all of this by having all of you with and around me.

-Amanda

today has been a good day. there have been a few small marks of improvement. his oxy has been between 85 and 90 all day. his chest x-ray showed a little bit more black area in his left lung, and his kidney function is at 80%. that is an improvement from 70 yesterday. his blood gasses were down just a smidgen, but I'm sure they will improve soon also. Chris got a new bed today that is a bit wider so he can stretch out farther and it is also an air cushion bed that is great for air circulation around his entire body. When Chris was moved from one bed to the next he did really well. his oxygen sat dropped a few points but did not plummet and bounced back quickly.the nurses adjusted a few of his meds just a bit, and Chris responded well. i am looking forward to a few more small improvements tomorrow.
I must say a huge thank you to the nursing staff, therapists, and Dr.Saddad. you are so awesome. you have all made this ordeal so much more manageable for my family. thank you so much.
thank you to Katie and Tationa today for going all the way to LA for us.

the kids had a good day with Grammy and papa, and will be spending the night with them. I get the privilege of spending the night next to my husband for the first time in 17 days.

my new hope is to have Chris home by Oct 19 , our 6 year wedding anniversary.

i will post again soon. Goodnight.
-Amanda

Morning everyone. Chris did well last night. this morning his blood gases are down and his oxygen is at 80 instead of 85 from yesterday. his blood pressure is still good but his pulse is a bit treadmill like. Chris's dad Mike stayed the night with him again. Dr. Saddad will be in soon to read today's chest x-ray. the kids are with Grammy and Papa today. I will post again soon. hugs to all. -Amanda

As of 8pm Sat the 26

As of 8 pm Chris has slightly improved lung function as of this mornings x-ray on his left side. His kidney function has improved from 50% to now 70%. His Oxygen stats are stable this evening. If more problems arise the is a plan to assist him. He is still very fragile limiting any movement of his body, he is still at risk for a heart attack. They have his diabetes still under control. The medical staff has been fabulous and are continuing to do all they can to the maximum to help Chris be as comfortable as possible and to maximize his ability to recover.

I would like to thank all the friends and family that were with me last night it was tremendously helpful and I am very grateful for all of your support. Thank you all for your well wishing, good thoughts and prayers. Chris mother, father, and brother are here with me to help him get through this ordeal. We are all doing our best to stay positive and we know he is a strong fighter and a stubborn man. We look forward to him pulling through as we have promised Disney Land and camping trips to our children.

His father stayed the night with him last night and as well one of us will be with him tonight.

The kids are doing as well as can be expected. They are a little fussier and cranker but they know daddy is sick and know he is in the hospital so the nurses and doctors can help him get well. They are spending alot of time with grandparents and close friends. They miss there daddy terribly, they have sent him pictures and send him hugs and kisses every day. Today was Connors third birthday and with the help of several dear friends he had a wonderful birthday party. His big gift is still waiting for him for when his daddy gets well. Connor had an awesome chocolate cake and peanut butter cup ice cream. Every one got to enjoy a cooling water fight, stick horse races and a cowboy pinata The kids are with Grammy and Papa tonight.
I will join them late tonight or in the morning. Thank you all again for your support and please feel free to ask question or leave messages for the family. we will post again soon
Thank you and good night, Amanda

Chris is fighting for his life his lungs are full of infection. he is on life supporst still. he has made it thru the night. Very fragile. any one that wants to come is welcome only imediate family in the room but all is wecome to be with the family for there support and any messages they would like to send to chris. Today is Conners third birthday so any support is welcome.
we are now going to make sure someone is with chris 24 hours a day.

another update for friday

I am getting news as much as I can. Last I heard Chris is all meds possible and now his kindeys are at 50%. With this being swine flu (H1N1) and not to much medicaly known we are just keeping our fingers crossed that he is a stron man and can pull thru it. if you would like to send a private email and not a blog post to Chris or his family please send to cvanhussfamily@gmail.com and I will forward the message. With love Katie

For us following chris's progress

As we know Chris has been in ICU at Twin Cities Hosp since Sept 10th. We have decided to start a blog to show his progress and keep everyone up to date on his health. As of yesterday he had taken a step backwards just so he can start making the jump forward. His body is tired of fighting so hard so even as a valuntary decision before, he had to be placed on life support to suport his breathing. This will allow Chris body to rest and recover and let the machine to what it can so his body can fight this nasty bug and get better sooner. Chris stats are stablizing today we will keep postings as soon as any changes take place. Please feel free to ask questions here as we will answer them asap and as best of our knowledge as well as leave any wishes for Chris and his family. This blog is here to help the family and friends of Chris and to relieve any stress of someone left out of the loop and to let the family have there time to take care of there loved ones and support Chris where ever it is needed.