Drum roll, please. Dad was given permission to eat some more popsicles over the weekend. And although they didn't taste as good as they did a month ago, it was better than nothing! The nurses used the popsicles not only to give Dad some extra calories, but also to test the healing in his stomach. See, the dye from the popsicle should end up ONLY in the stoma, and not in any of the 2 remaining drain tubes--that's exactly what happened, which means that the stomach/intestine connection is healing correctly.
The doctor's even think that solid food is on its way in a couple of days. Speaking of which, an update on the fungal infection they detected after his second surgery: they had him on a cocktail of antibiotics to help fight off the intestinal infection. They took him off the drugs and are waiting for another culture to see if the infection has gone.
Dad has also been walking around a couple times a day, making more and more progress with each day. Craig was with him his this weekend, and his parents will be traveling down this weekend. The doctor's are saying that he may be discharged soon, and when that happens he'll be on his way back to Rochester. He'll be much easier to visit when he's back here!
He's on some medication now that really disorients him, so it's hard chatting on the phone--he has a difficult time remembering simple things. Hopefully that drug is weaned down a bit as the days pass, and hopefully he'll be able to take some phone calls from those of you asking to speak with him!
More news to come,
Adam
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Thursday - AM Update (5/24)
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
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
Wednesday - PM Update (5/23)
This afternoon Dad walked the furthest he's walked ever! Even though he said it was hard he looked good when he got back, and even stayed alert for hours afterward (he usually is so exhausted he passes out).
Dad and I played some cards, and watched some dirt biking videos.
Around 8pm he started sleeping heavily, and continued through the night. He experienced a big drop in pulse--they will look into this more tomorrow morning.
Dad and I played some cards, and watched some dirt biking videos.
Around 8pm he started sleeping heavily, and continued through the night. He experienced a big drop in pulse--they will look into this more tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Wednesday - AM Update (5/23)
Dad has been sitting in his chair since 9am today! I brought him his laptop and he's been trying to work the darn thing. He says, "I can't remember any of my passwords, and don't know how to get on to my blog!"
He is waiting for his physical therapy (the daily walk around the floor). They tell him he won't be eating for another week or two (this includes water). They want him to heal more before introducing solid food or water.
He is still not accepting phone calls because he's "out of it". At least he's asking for his laptop, which will pre-occupy him when he's bored. Hey, who knows, maybe he'll figure out how to get back online and comment on how I'm doing with this blog!
I'll be here until tomorrow afternoon, and then Craig will arrive once again for the long weekend!
Adam
*Note: I was a few days behind, and was just able to publish 3 days worth of updates. Feel free to review them below!
He is waiting for his physical therapy (the daily walk around the floor). They tell him he won't be eating for another week or two (this includes water). They want him to heal more before introducing solid food or water.
He is still not accepting phone calls because he's "out of it". At least he's asking for his laptop, which will pre-occupy him when he's bored. Hey, who knows, maybe he'll figure out how to get back online and comment on how I'm doing with this blog!
I'll be here until tomorrow afternoon, and then Craig will arrive once again for the long weekend!
Adam
*Note: I was a few days behind, and was just able to publish 3 days worth of updates. Feel free to review them below!
Tuesday - Update (5/22)
Allie left today at 2 in the afternoon, and I arrived at 11:30pm. Dad was happy to see me, and we chatted for a bit before I went to my rented room. He was very upbeat, and of course happy to see me. I woke him up, which means he's been able to sleep better and be better rested.
Late last night the doctors removed one abdominal tube (two more to go!). He's been walking around, but his body is still extremely weak. He enjoys sitting in his chair, and does so for a several hours a day.
He doesn't have much pain. He has only a little nausea at night (most likely from the TPN).
I'll update more tomorrow!
Adam
Late last night the doctors removed one abdominal tube (two more to go!). He's been walking around, but his body is still extremely weak. He enjoys sitting in his chair, and does so for a several hours a day.
He doesn't have much pain. He has only a little nausea at night (most likely from the TPN).
I'll update more tomorrow!
Adam
Monday - Update (5/21)
As you may understand, Dad still has some tubes in him. There must've been some miscommunication that lead us all to believe they had removed all the tubes--unfortunately, this is not the case. He currently has 3 tubes: one in his chest and 2 in his abdomen. They did remove his catheter on Sunday.
Dad has been nauseous from time to time, and they suspect it has something to do with the amount of TPN they administer to his digestive system. Today, though his nausea is better.
His Potassium and Sodium levels are normal. Phosphate is 2.3 low (normal is 2.5). His hemoglobin was 8.1 on Saturday, but is now 9.1 (so that's better).
His Createnine is .07 (his normal has been 1.2).
As you all know, he has moved from the ICU to a special care unit, and private room (still 6109). The nurses are treating him quite well, and Dad is in better spirits each day.
Adam
Dad has been nauseous from time to time, and they suspect it has something to do with the amount of TPN they administer to his digestive system. Today, though his nausea is better.
His Potassium and Sodium levels are normal. Phosphate is 2.3 low (normal is 2.5). His hemoglobin was 8.1 on Saturday, but is now 9.1 (so that's better).
His Createnine is .07 (his normal has been 1.2).
As you all know, he has moved from the ICU to a special care unit, and private room (still 6109). The nurses are treating him quite well, and Dad is in better spirits each day.
Adam
Monday, May 21, 2012
Weekend - Update (5/20)
Allie has been spending time with her father, and the reports are good. Nothing out of the ordinary, other than hearing he doesn't want to be in the hospital any more.
Still no food or water at this point. He gets up and walks a few times a day, but not very far.
They did have to re-insert another drainage tube in his chest (more fluid build-up), and they rearranged another so that it would not scrape (possibly infect) his liver.
Adam
Still no food or water at this point. He gets up and walks a few times a day, but not very far.
They did have to re-insert another drainage tube in his chest (more fluid build-up), and they rearranged another so that it would not scrape (possibly infect) his liver.
Adam
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