After 5 weeks of hospital time, Dad feels very discouraged and very dry. He knows he shouldn't, but it's hard to miss such nice weather and SUMMER! He is focusing on pushing himself to walk further and further each day, knowing that he cannot be discharged until he can walk on his own. Eating is another challenge (once he is allowed).
They gave Dad an EKG this morning to help diagnose the drop in pulse (it was usually 70-80 bpm, but was 55). One doctor (the transplant doc) said this was most likely due to his blood pressure medicine; they will work with him to find a better dose to prevent this in the future. The hemoglobin and hematocrit are low.
Dr. Ahrendt just stopped by and gave us an update: Dad looks to be 7-10 days out from being discharged. It's crazy to believe, but this discharge seems conditional. He'd be required to move in to a secondary care facility in Rochester--at least he'll be closer to friends and family! With his walking progress yesterday, the doctor feels that Dad will have enough energy to handle the 5 hour ride back to Rochester. His duration of stay in this new facility will depend on how fast he recovers his strength. He says, "I'm up for the challenge. My goal is to walk around my two-mile loop without stopping!"
The doctor also says that the two remaining drains looks good: the one hose (in his chest) is still draining fluid, which is caused by the inflammation near the diaphragm (this will dissipate once Dad moves around more and his heart can clear the excess fluid. The second hose is draining fluid from his stomach. Normally, his stomach is filled with bile and other digestive enzymes. Because the doctor wishes to have the stomach/small intestine connection as healed as possible, they will continue to drain his stomach of these fluids. This is why he cannot eat or drink anything until they see more healing around this area. But a good sign is that some of this fluid IS making it's way through his intestines--at least we know everything seems to be working.
He is still receiving TPN. He will continue to receive this form of nutrition until his stomach/intestine heals more.
I will be departing this afternoon, and Craig will be here tomorrow.
Adam
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