Since last night we have been trying to triangulate controlling pain and nausea without having Penny's blood pressure drop. The good news is that we found a good dose of dilaudid for pain. The bad news is that that dose leads to low blood pressure and may be contributing to nausea.
Through the night, they adjusted dilaudid up and down and there was a pretty direct connection between the dose and both pain management and blood pressure, but unfortunately, they go in opposite directions and we haven't been able find a sweet spot that works for both pain and blood pressure.
Right now we are battling nausea as well. So today will likely be a day of medication tweaking to try to get all three things under control at the same time. Sounds like we will be replacing dilaudid with a med that isn't usually linked to drops in blood pressure and then trying to get the dose to the right level.
Dr Assifi just stopped by and suggests taking it easy this morning while trying to get the meds adjusted, but she would really like to see Penny start walking around a bit this afternoon if that's possible.
So that's the goal for today: manage pain, nausea, and blood pressure well enough to take a first short walk -- even if it is just a few steps inside the room -- sometime later in the day.
Comments
Kris Buth: Will ask God for strength for that walk this afternoon.
Chriss Pruim: thanks randy. praying for all the above to be managed well/
Rich hunefeld : Please know that you are in our prayers.