danilynn I have lung problems also, which netted me some significant time on the ventilator on my AVR. My whole surgery turned nightmare. The surgeon cut some blebs (Dead blistery tissue) off of my lung, took a cyst off of my heart, put the valve in and thought it was over. My lung collapsed, I got a Staph infection from the darn I.V. line and everything went down real fast. They called my wife in because they didn't think I was going to make it when my temperature hit 106F. I was put on Vancomycin for 6 weeks along with an array of other antibiotics by an infectious disease specialist. If the guy hadn't been there, I'm sure I wouldn't be either. In spite of all the problems, here I am typing this to you. I spent 50 days in CSICU and another 10 in Rehab. Oh yeah, my afib started in Rehab! It lasted for 2 days and then straightened out. My point--No matter how bad it looks, it's possible for recovery! Hang in there. I know it's tough and it's even tougher for him, but he should be fine soon.
You say his sats are in the mid 90's? Is he still on the vent or is this just on oxygen? Don't get overly concerned just yet. Once he starts using his muscles and gets active, the heart will start doing what its supposed to do and the O2 sats should start climbing and maintaining during exercise. With the Emphysema, perhaps not. I now sit at 92% while not active and it falls like a rock down to 82% and lower with walking. I'm on Oxygen 24/7 now.
Keep talking to us, like I said, we've been there and we can offer support to you and to him. Let me know if I can do anything.
Ross