Hi All,
This is the last try I am making for any way I can help my uncle have least pain as he is in last stage.
He underwent surgery in December 2004 and then chemotherapy thereafter.
Right now he is in Intensive Care for last 4 days.On monday nite, he had serious breathing problem and had no chance of survival.We were given two options at that point of time , to either let him sink or apply ventilator.
We made the obvious choice, though his ventilator was removed 12 hours later, he is still on oxygen tube inserted through his mouth.His oxygen saturation reads above 90.
Last morning Anaesthesist tested by removing Oxygen tube,within few seconds his oxygen count dropped to 87.
We don't know where to proceed from here.Doctors are testing his chest for congestion, when they can remove the tube.But I am afraid if the tube is removed, whether he'll be able to make it.
Please help, and let me know if any one else dealt with same situation, and whether there is any other solution for tube removal.Otherwise the patient is very responsive and communicating with us through writing on paper.
Please Please help....

Thanks in Advance

I cannot offer any advice only sympathy as my mum was in the same situation a few weeks back. She was on a ventilator, but every time they tried to take her off it her oxygen level dropped. Her chest was very congested making breathing on her own impossible. She too was very alert and able to communicate by writing and whispering (The tube was put in via her neck -tracheotomy). In the end she asked my sister and I to requst the ventilator be turned off if she was never going to get better, so the docs increased her morphine and gradually reduced the ventilator support until she passed away, which I have to say took 2 days!
It was all very upsetting and distressing so I feel for you very much.
Sue