This website was created on 11/26/02 by friends of Forrest Johnson to provide the latest accurate updates on his illness. It remains as a tribute to one of God's special children.
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The Johnson family will receive
friends on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM at the Camden United Methodist
Church. The funeral will be at 11 AM Friday at the Camden United
Methodist Church. The church is located at the corner of Broad and
Clifton Streets in downtown Camden. Cards or other mail can be addressed to the Johnsons at 631 Clifton St. Camden AL 36726.
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 2:20PM Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 12:15PM
Amanda called. Forrest has not had a good morning. Due to an
irregular heartbeat, the defibrillator was needed twice in order to get
his heartbeat corrected. His kidneys are not functioning properly at
this time and he was started on dialysis. But he's still hanging in
there and he still needs you. Monday, December 9, 2002 - 11:45AM Amanda called and said that this morning a component of the blood oxygen monitor was changed out. It was then learned that the readings that have been received were inflated by about 20 points due to some error in the equipment. Though his condition has not changed, his blood oxygen readings are now correct and actually in the mid 60s. This indicates Forrest is in worse condition than previously believed. We do not have any information in regards to how long the readings have been incorrect. Everything else remains the same. Sunday, December 8, 2002 - 6:00PM As
of this afternoon there have been no major changes. They continue to
monitor Forrest's blood oxygen concentration, blood gases, and carbon
dioxide. This afternoon his blood oxygen reading was 86. Friday, December 6, 2002 - 6:00PM
Amanda said this evening that Forrest had a little better day. His
blood gases have improved though they still are not where they need to be
(at 53, should be about 60). He is not retaining quite as much
carbon dioxide. His blood oxygen level was 87 at last report
today. An updated copy of the guestbook, as of noon today,
will be delivered to the hospital on Saturday. Thank you for the
words of support and encouragement. Wednesday, December 4, 2002 - 8:15PM Amanda says... Monday, December 2, 2002 - 7PM Amanda said
that Forrest is overall about the same. His blood gas numbers are
slightly better. He had been retaining too much carbon
dioxide. That issue is just a little better as well. His blood
oxygen level has been from the mid 80s to lower 90s. Recovery from
the condition that Forrest is in is going to be slow. Thank you for
your many prayers. Please continue to pray that his lungs will begin
to heal. Pray too for Forrest's parents, Mandy & Billy
Johnson. They have been literally camped out in the ICU waiting room
for three weeks now. Pray for their strength and health as well as
wife Jodi, sister Amanda, and daughters Taylor and
Lange. Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 10AM The doctors say that Forrest is ever so slightly better today. He's definitely not worse, though still in critical condition. His doctors weaned him off the nitric oxide. This is one of the treatments the doctors were experimenting with to treat ARDS. Other treatments are being used. They did not see that the nitric oxide was helping Forrest's situation. Also, they removed the swan-ganz catheter. It was used to monitor the nitric oxide treatment that they discontinued. They successfully weaned Forrest off his blood pressure medicine. He's still on 100% oxygen and his blood oxygen level continues to range in the 80s. The blood oxygen levels need to come up in order to reduce his (PEEP) pressure. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a special setting on the ventilator that keeps the lungs expanded to help get oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream. Not only are they giving Forrest 100% oxygen, they are giving it to him at a very high force in order for Forrest to get the oxygen he needs. There is a concern that Forrest's ventilator tube may fail over time due to this high (PEEP) pressure. The doctors believe that it is more risky to change the tube out at this point and are relying on the one he has. Please pray that Forrest's blood oxygen levels continue to rise so that the doctors may reduce the pressure at which his oxygen is being delivered therefore reducing the pressure in his ventilator tube. Also pray that the tube does not fail. Every prayer that goes up is another angel in Forrest's army. A copy of the guest book was delivered to the Johnsons at UAB today. Thank you for all the encouraging remarks.
Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 10PM Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 11AM Amanda says they have been told to think of this
as a marathon, not a sprint. This is going to take weeks and it will
be a roller coaster ride. |
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USEFUL LINKS ARDS Information: www.ards.org |
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ONLINE GUESTBOOK View the guestbook entries... PAGE ONE | PAGE TWO | PAGE THREE | PAGE FOUR
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