They say prayer heals.
Though I don't consider myself a very religious person, I do think I'm pretty spiritual.
Just got word a patient of mine isn't doing too well. 75 year old male with renal failure on intermittent hemodialysis, admitted for abdominal pain. Found to have a loculated peritoneal effusion with spontaneous polymicrobial bacterial peritonitis. The general surgeons felt he was too sick to undergo surgery. So, we had interventional radiology place 2 drains into the peritoneal space to drain the infected fluid. Broad-spectrum antibiotics.
He progressively declined. Today, his pressures dropped to 68/35 despite fluid resuscitation. Had to send him to the MICU. Last I heard, he's developing a small bowel obstruction.
I spoke to his wife before I transferred him. Told her his prognosis is grim. And should he code, we would never bring him back to a quality of life he'd appreciate. I suggested she think about changing his status to DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).
So, tonight, I'd like to say a prayer for him, and his family.
posted by vagus at 9:37 PM
6 Comments:
Bro.. prayer indeed heals. But we pray in accordance to the will of the Almighty. Who are we to "move" or "force" the hand of God? I always believe we pray to seek Him.. and then when He prompts, we pray in faith. For we aren't the healer.
If no prompting yet.. so we still pray in faith, So we do pray for your patient and his wife and the family for God's grace mercy and peace to be upon them. You are His instrument Vagus.. you are blessed!
Please do update us on his condition ya.
Pressure's stable. But he now has a complete small bowel obstruction. Last i checked, the surgeons still don't want to take him to the OR. Mortality on the operating table estimated to be 80%. So they're gonna try to put in a 3rd drain into his belly.
Will update as the days go by.
Not looking too good.
He's hypotensive again, now on vasopressors (norepinephrine). On CVVHD (Continuous hemolydialysis). The ascitic fluid is still growing multiple bugs and now fungi despite his treatment.
I think he's near the end.
Am joining in prayer, too...
We're still praying for him and his family.. Life and Death is indeed a part of things every day.
You're privileged to be part of it everyday. Being the hands of God to give ppl a 2nd chance... to give them time to make peace with God and loved ones as well.
It's good that you pray for your patients.
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