The surgeon called to tell me that Dad needs two tubes re-inserted to his abdominal cavity--last night's CT scan showed a build up of fluid still near the rear of his lungs, and around his liver. The surgery to re-insert the drainage tubes around those areas is not very invasive and should only take 45 minutes to an hour.
Once they drain the fluid the doctors will determine if there is an infection. We'll wait to see and hope that there is no infection.
They do think his confusion may be caused by an infection of some sort. Maybe in his bladder; they are culturing some swabs to see. No information so far.
I called Dad yesterday and his speech and conversation was the worst it's ever been. He seemed far off in some other reality and I couldn't understand a damn word he said other than his repeated effort at saying, "I. FEEL. GOOD." Well, that was yesterday; so, we'll see if he feels BETTER after he gets some more fluid out of his gut.
After speaking with him, and hearing from other family members that he is still hallucinating, not speaking correctly, etc. I rang the nurse to very firmly re-iterate some points I shared with my grandfather earlier in the week: Scott must be stimulated, not just placed in a room moved from chair to bed, chair to bed. One of Dad's friend suggested to sit him outside (unfortunately, he is not allowed by his doctor). But his mind must can be stimulated by sitting him in front of a window instead of a wall. He hasn't been walking as much as he was last week (which is concerning)--it feels like his progress is regressing. I urged her to consider that the mind plays just as important of a role in recovery as the body, and I pressed this point with sternness.
We spoke to his nurse again this morning and it seems like the "pep-talk" had an effect, finally. She mentioned that Dad may have a permanent sitter in the room with him--to make sure he doesn't move around too much, and to help stimulate him. She also mentioned that before his surgery, they sat him in front of a window and he was enjoying it. They may also bring in a dog to help stimulate him. It sounds like they have a few options up their sleeves, and I'm glad they are using them!
His parents left late Tuesday night. Craig is heading back this weekend (Friday to Sunday), and Allie will be heading down Sunday afternoon to Tuesday. I will be there for Father's day that following weekend.
Adam
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