Tom's Journey to Health
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On the 31st July Tom was taken to hospital by ambulance with influenza A and pneumonia.
On August the 1st he was put into an induced coma to keep him alive and was admitted to ICU. The next day Amanda was told to call his family and things were really grim. After 2 horrible days and waiting and being told what ony seemed like bad news, the ICU consultant from The Prince Charles Hospital spoke to Amanda and made the HUGE decision to try him on ECMO - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This is a technique of providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to persons whose heart and lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange or perfusion to sustain life. This was a risky chance but seemingly his only chance at the time. He was moved from Royal Brisbane to Prince Charles hospital on Fridy 4th August. The transfer and setting up of ECMO went well and it was then just a matter of waiting for the treatment to work. We were told this could be 3 days or 3 weeks - there was no way to tell.
From there the days just blurred together - one nurse said he was just plodding along and that was good news.
ECMO support was discontinued on 18th August (14 days). He had few ups and downs, and a tracheotomy on the 22nd so the intubation tube could be removed.
Through medical intervention, positive thoughts and prayer, Tom opened his eyes on August the 23rd.
On the 7th September he was moved from ICU to an observation ward and was eating, talking and drinking. As Amanda said every day is a step forward. But the story wont end there - because of time spent in the coma he now needs physio - he cannot yet stand. Tom is going to need ongoing support and physio when he gets home, and we imagine some modifications to his house.
Amanda, Thomas and Kate make daily visits (sometimes twice daily) to the hospital and parking isn't cheap - up to $20 a day. Th ongoing daily costs mount up and future costs are daunting. Tom's dream is a pool when he gets home and although this seems out of reach it would help in his recovery, mentally and physically.
So many people ask what they can do and how to help. The family feel supported by love, prayers and positive thoughts but I know they also need your donations. Every dollar will help.
Thank you all
Anne
On August the 1st he was put into an induced coma to keep him alive and was admitted to ICU. The next day Amanda was told to call his family and things were really grim. After 2 horrible days and waiting and being told what ony seemed like bad news, the ICU consultant from The Prince Charles Hospital spoke to Amanda and made the HUGE decision to try him on ECMO - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This is a technique of providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to persons whose heart and lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange or perfusion to sustain life. This was a risky chance but seemingly his only chance at the time. He was moved from Royal Brisbane to Prince Charles hospital on Fridy 4th August. The transfer and setting up of ECMO went well and it was then just a matter of waiting for the treatment to work. We were told this could be 3 days or 3 weeks - there was no way to tell.
From there the days just blurred together - one nurse said he was just plodding along and that was good news.
ECMO support was discontinued on 18th August (14 days). He had few ups and downs, and a tracheotomy on the 22nd so the intubation tube could be removed.
Through medical intervention, positive thoughts and prayer, Tom opened his eyes on August the 23rd.
On the 7th September he was moved from ICU to an observation ward and was eating, talking and drinking. As Amanda said every day is a step forward. But the story wont end there - because of time spent in the coma he now needs physio - he cannot yet stand. Tom is going to need ongoing support and physio when he gets home, and we imagine some modifications to his house.
Amanda, Thomas and Kate make daily visits (sometimes twice daily) to the hospital and parking isn't cheap - up to $20 a day. Th ongoing daily costs mount up and future costs are daunting. Tom's dream is a pool when he gets home and although this seems out of reach it would help in his recovery, mentally and physically.
So many people ask what they can do and how to help. The family feel supported by love, prayers and positive thoughts but I know they also need your donations. Every dollar will help.
Thank you all
Anne
Organizer
Anne Elizabeth
Organizer
Mount Gravatt QLD
