Our eduction at Presby continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The word of the day is "fungemia" which means fungus (or yeast) in the blood. You guessed it, my guy's got it! Just a label to put on the fact he has a fungal infection. Treatment remains the same, keep him on the antifungal for 2 weeks.
He had his PICC line removed and another placed in yesterday morning; most likely sight of the fungus evidenced by the fact that after things were "stirred up", he started running a temp (up to 101.9). Today is better and he's been fever-free thus far. They will have an ophthalmologist examine him on Monday since fungal infections often land in the eye.
His white blood cell count is down to 14,000 and his liver and kidney functions both look good. His heart rate and blood pressure have remained stable despite everything.
He will have wound vac changed today (schedule has changed to Tues, Thurs, Sat since they want to be able to change it any time he is in IR under anesthetic which now seems to be on a weekly schedule of Tuesdays).
Internet is back up and running, HOOORRRRAAAAYYYY!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A fungus among us!
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
WiFi is down AGAIN and has been since Friday evening! Sorry...I'm trying to get in bits and pieces as I'm able to use Presby's computer.
I spoke too soon! Late Saturday afternoon Ron started running a fever and felt really lousy all night. Interventional Radiologist stopped in Sunday morning to check on him and said sometimes when the "clot buster" hits the bloodstream, it can cause a fever. They are surprised it took so long, typically he'll start having fever several hours after the procedure but this time it was about 36 hours before it hit. They did blood cultures Saturday night and will watch to see if anything grows. Still felt a little puny Sunday as well.
Before all of that started, tho, we were able to have a long-awaited visit with our very dear friends Randy and Ashley and their precious 3 1/2 month old Kendall. She is such a good baby and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and catching up with R&A! Thanks for sharing your sweet girl with us! It was great to get some Kendall lovin'! Many thanks to your family for allowing us to take up some of their grandbaby time while you guys were here for the weekend! We love you guys and are honored to be considered extended family!
Our 29th anniversary was Monday. We've been trying to go to Hawaii since our 25th and since we weren't going to make it again this year, I decided to bring Hawaii to Presby! While Ron was sleeping, I put an Aloha sign on the exterior of his door, decorated the interior of his room with a 6 ft inflatable palm tree, "Welcome to Paradise" sign, window scene looking out onto the ocean with dolphins jumping out of the water in the background, hula girls, fish, Hawaiian decorated stemware (to serve his ice in!), beachball, sunbathing mat, and various other decorations! And I dressed up in grass skirt, lei and orchind in my hair. You should have seen the look on the faces of staff members as I came walking down 6 West arms overflowing with decorations! They got a big kick out of the surprise.
When the kids arrived for lunch and games I pulled out the beach ball, inflated fish inner tube ring with lion fish, ball and football to try to throw thrrough it, fish-shaped cards (to play go fish, of course!), frisbee and other little hand held games. Stacee brought a large, gorgeous fruit tray that we were able to share with the staff. We had a great time but can't wait to celebrate our 30th in Hawaii!!
We found out "there's a fungus among us!!!" Yep, Ron has a fungal infection somewhere. Very common in people on long-term TPN. They started him on an anti-fungal and will change out his PICC line today, (Wednesday). He will have to be on the antifungal for 2 weeks. Thus, the reason he's been feeling a little puny.
Yesterday, (Tuesday), he went to CT and IR. Praise the Lord they were able to remove the upper drain (one in hematoma)! They also took the lower drain off of the bulb suction and it is now draining to gravity. One step closer to getting everything to close down and scar over. He'll go back to IR next Tuesday.
They also did an echocardiogram (heart) yesterday. Evidently, fungal infections can be detected most easily in the heart. We had not gotten word this was going to be done...they just showed up to do it and when they entered his room saying they were there to do an echo of his heart he and I both freaked out a little, thoughts screaming through our heads....something's wrong with his heart????. Fortunately, Janelle (physician assistant) was in the hallway and heard us questioning them so she came in and explained what was going on and why. His heart looks fine, no sign of fungus there and muscle wall and valves are in great shape.
This is probably pretty choppy....like I said I've been adding bits and pieces over a couple of days but wanted to get some information out to everyone.
Will update again as I can. If things are unclear, please respond and I will try to clear things up as best as I can!
Love, Christie
"I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus"
2 Timothy 2:10 NLT
We never know the trials that await us. And at times we may not be able to see the light through our struggles; but we can know that those days will be the most significant we are called upon to live! Our most sorrowful days are often our best!
Only those who have known sorrow can fully appreciate the "man of sorrows".
from Streams in the Desert
WiFi is down AGAIN and has been since Friday evening! Sorry...I'm trying to get in bits and pieces as I'm able to use Presby's computer.
I spoke too soon! Late Saturday afternoon Ron started running a fever and felt really lousy all night. Interventional Radiologist stopped in Sunday morning to check on him and said sometimes when the "clot buster" hits the bloodstream, it can cause a fever. They are surprised it took so long, typically he'll start having fever several hours after the procedure but this time it was about 36 hours before it hit. They did blood cultures Saturday night and will watch to see if anything grows. Still felt a little puny Sunday as well.
Before all of that started, tho, we were able to have a long-awaited visit with our very dear friends Randy and Ashley and their precious 3 1/2 month old Kendall. She is such a good baby and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and catching up with R&A! Thanks for sharing your sweet girl with us! It was great to get some Kendall lovin'! Many thanks to your family for allowing us to take up some of their grandbaby time while you guys were here for the weekend! We love you guys and are honored to be considered extended family!
Our 29th anniversary was Monday. We've been trying to go to Hawaii since our 25th and since we weren't going to make it again this year, I decided to bring Hawaii to Presby! While Ron was sleeping, I put an Aloha sign on the exterior of his door, decorated the interior of his room with a 6 ft inflatable palm tree, "Welcome to Paradise" sign, window scene looking out onto the ocean with dolphins jumping out of the water in the background, hula girls, fish, Hawaiian decorated stemware (to serve his ice in!), beachball, sunbathing mat, and various other decorations! And I dressed up in grass skirt, lei and orchind in my hair. You should have seen the look on the faces of staff members as I came walking down 6 West arms overflowing with decorations! They got a big kick out of the surprise.
When the kids arrived for lunch and games I pulled out the beach ball, inflated fish inner tube ring with lion fish, ball and football to try to throw thrrough it, fish-shaped cards (to play go fish, of course!), frisbee and other little hand held games. Stacee brought a large, gorgeous fruit tray that we were able to share with the staff. We had a great time but can't wait to celebrate our 30th in Hawaii!!
We found out "there's a fungus among us!!!" Yep, Ron has a fungal infection somewhere. Very common in people on long-term TPN. They started him on an anti-fungal and will change out his PICC line today, (Wednesday). He will have to be on the antifungal for 2 weeks. Thus, the reason he's been feeling a little puny.
Yesterday, (Tuesday), he went to CT and IR. Praise the Lord they were able to remove the upper drain (one in hematoma)! They also took the lower drain off of the bulb suction and it is now draining to gravity. One step closer to getting everything to close down and scar over. He'll go back to IR next Tuesday.
They also did an echocardiogram (heart) yesterday. Evidently, fungal infections can be detected most easily in the heart. We had not gotten word this was going to be done...they just showed up to do it and when they entered his room saying they were there to do an echo of his heart he and I both freaked out a little, thoughts screaming through our heads....something's wrong with his heart????. Fortunately, Janelle (physician assistant) was in the hallway and heard us questioning them so she came in and explained what was going on and why. His heart looks fine, no sign of fungus there and muscle wall and valves are in great shape.
This is probably pretty choppy....like I said I've been adding bits and pieces over a couple of days but wanted to get some information out to everyone.
Will update again as I can. If things are unclear, please respond and I will try to clear things up as best as I can!
Love, Christie
"I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus"
2 Timothy 2:10 NLT
We never know the trials that await us. And at times we may not be able to see the light through our struggles; but we can know that those days will be the most significant we are called upon to live! Our most sorrowful days are often our best!
Only those who have known sorrow can fully appreciate the "man of sorrows".
from Streams in the Desert
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Therapy session!
Happy Saturday!
Sorry this is a long one, my therapy session for the week; how I deal with all that's going on in this crazy world of ours! Thanks for allowing me this outlet!
Yesterday, Ron went to Interventional Radiology. They replaced all tubes (G-tube included) and actually downsized the lower tube...signifying things are slowly getting better. They also injected the upper area that has the hematoma with a substance to help break it up which should help it to drain better. He's been rather sore, especially in his ribs which is where the g-tube goes through. But, thankfully, no fever so far! And again, Heather was able to do wound vac change while he was still under anesthesia. Thank you, Lord!
He will go back for abdominal CT and to Interventional Radiology for fistula-gram on Tuesday, and Heather has permission to wait until then to do his next wound vac change meaning....he has a 3 day break! YEEE HAAAWWW!!! Especially nice since Monday is our 29th anniversary.
There has been talk of sending him home again sometime later next week....not quite sure how we feel about that. Good to know they feel he's getting stable enough, but at the same time it's a little scary. We're somewhat anxious about how things would work. We know he would have to come back on a regular basis for IR but once the fistula is healed and they remove the tubes we would do the whole starting back on feeding at home, on our own.
We know they would send him home on TPN 24 hours a day...no more monkeying around with trying the cyclical where he's off 8 hours and on 16; he's proven he doesn't do well unless he's on 24 hour a day hydration. He will also have to have G-tube hooked up to the Gomco (huge suction device that has to be wheeled wherever he wants to be) and we'd be back to charting all his outputs, doing flushes, etc. Thank goodness we still have the box of 540 flushes from the first time we tried to go home! Along with all the other medications and medical supplies we have at Nordell General HealthCare Center.
We try not to think of the what if's? but in the back of my mind I wonder: what if he spikes a temp again? What if he gets dehydrated? What if I can't handle giving him his Lovenox (blood thinner) shots? What if his blood pressure gets unstable? What if his blood sugars get way off? What if I just go a little nutso knowing his care is on my shoulders??? Yes, I know God promises to provide whatever I need as I need it; and I have incredible kids, as well as other family members and friends who are more than willing to step in and help whenever; but sometimes the logistics just seem a little overwhelming!
Don't get me wrong; of course, it would be great to be back in our own home. To sleep in our own bed; relax in our recliners, do some therapy playing Wii, prepare my own food...whatever I want, when I want it! Praise the Lord, school will be out next Friday; that will relieve me of some pressure, to know all of my time can be devoted to Ron & his care. It would be especially nice for the kids not having to travel back and forth and to be close to all of you, our incredible support group. We've adapted to this routine and thought this is how life would be until he's totally healed and eating with no more tubes!
Please pray God would give his doctors discernment as to the best time for us to go home and for us to have a peace about it. Honestly, I'm hoping that Tuesday's tests show that things are healing much more quickly than they thought and that it's just a short time until he can have tubes removed and eat and that they think there's no sense in going home because it will be so quick!
Whatever God's will is; I choose to trust Him. Which falls right in with my devotional from Streams in the Desert this morning!
Psalm 33:11 says "The Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken."
We must be prepared to wait on God's timing. His timing is precise...He does things at the very time He has set. It's not for us to know His timing, and in fact we cannot know it...we must wait for it!.....So take heart, when God requires you to wait. The One you wait for will not disappoint you. He will never be even five minutes behind "the appointed time."
I haven't been able to write much lately but these are some random thoughts/verses God has been speaking to me:
Psalm 57:2 "I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me"
Charles H. Spurgeon says "The Lord will follow through on His covenant promises...His past mercies are guarantees for the future, and worthy reasons for continuing to cry out to Him."
John 18:11 "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
No human heart can imagine the incomparable love God expresses...open your heart to the pain and suffering, and it will accomplish more good.
Enjoy your weekend! Much love!
Sorry this is a long one, my therapy session for the week; how I deal with all that's going on in this crazy world of ours! Thanks for allowing me this outlet!
Yesterday, Ron went to Interventional Radiology. They replaced all tubes (G-tube included) and actually downsized the lower tube...signifying things are slowly getting better. They also injected the upper area that has the hematoma with a substance to help break it up which should help it to drain better. He's been rather sore, especially in his ribs which is where the g-tube goes through. But, thankfully, no fever so far! And again, Heather was able to do wound vac change while he was still under anesthesia. Thank you, Lord!
He will go back for abdominal CT and to Interventional Radiology for fistula-gram on Tuesday, and Heather has permission to wait until then to do his next wound vac change meaning....he has a 3 day break! YEEE HAAAWWW!!! Especially nice since Monday is our 29th anniversary.
There has been talk of sending him home again sometime later next week....not quite sure how we feel about that. Good to know they feel he's getting stable enough, but at the same time it's a little scary. We're somewhat anxious about how things would work. We know he would have to come back on a regular basis for IR but once the fistula is healed and they remove the tubes we would do the whole starting back on feeding at home, on our own.
We know they would send him home on TPN 24 hours a day...no more monkeying around with trying the cyclical where he's off 8 hours and on 16; he's proven he doesn't do well unless he's on 24 hour a day hydration. He will also have to have G-tube hooked up to the Gomco (huge suction device that has to be wheeled wherever he wants to be) and we'd be back to charting all his outputs, doing flushes, etc. Thank goodness we still have the box of 540 flushes from the first time we tried to go home! Along with all the other medications and medical supplies we have at Nordell General HealthCare Center.
We try not to think of the what if's? but in the back of my mind I wonder: what if he spikes a temp again? What if he gets dehydrated? What if I can't handle giving him his Lovenox (blood thinner) shots? What if his blood pressure gets unstable? What if his blood sugars get way off? What if I just go a little nutso knowing his care is on my shoulders??? Yes, I know God promises to provide whatever I need as I need it; and I have incredible kids, as well as other family members and friends who are more than willing to step in and help whenever; but sometimes the logistics just seem a little overwhelming!
Don't get me wrong; of course, it would be great to be back in our own home. To sleep in our own bed; relax in our recliners, do some therapy playing Wii, prepare my own food...whatever I want, when I want it! Praise the Lord, school will be out next Friday; that will relieve me of some pressure, to know all of my time can be devoted to Ron & his care. It would be especially nice for the kids not having to travel back and forth and to be close to all of you, our incredible support group. We've adapted to this routine and thought this is how life would be until he's totally healed and eating with no more tubes!
Please pray God would give his doctors discernment as to the best time for us to go home and for us to have a peace about it. Honestly, I'm hoping that Tuesday's tests show that things are healing much more quickly than they thought and that it's just a short time until he can have tubes removed and eat and that they think there's no sense in going home because it will be so quick!
Whatever God's will is; I choose to trust Him. Which falls right in with my devotional from Streams in the Desert this morning!
Psalm 33:11 says "The Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken."
We must be prepared to wait on God's timing. His timing is precise...He does things at the very time He has set. It's not for us to know His timing, and in fact we cannot know it...we must wait for it!.....So take heart, when God requires you to wait. The One you wait for will not disappoint you. He will never be even five minutes behind "the appointed time."
I haven't been able to write much lately but these are some random thoughts/verses God has been speaking to me:
Psalm 57:2 "I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me"
Charles H. Spurgeon says "The Lord will follow through on His covenant promises...His past mercies are guarantees for the future, and worthy reasons for continuing to cry out to Him."
John 18:11 "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
No human heart can imagine the incomparable love God expresses...open your heart to the pain and suffering, and it will accomplish more good.
Enjoy your weekend! Much love!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Golf Outing
It's been hard to find time to update right now with things being so busy!
Monday, Ron was able to be released for 4 hours of "recreational therapy" which meant I was able to take him to the golf tournament!!!! It was great! And it was definitely therapeutic!
We left the hospital at 11:30 and returned at 3:30. All the nurses, doctors, etc. were so excited for us; Dr. Shires and Dr. Arslanlar (GI...in charge of TPN) were both in the room helping to get him ready before we left! Other than his overall state of weakness; therefore making movement extremely slow; he looked great in khaki's and a golf shirt! Amazing to see him looking so "normal" considering all he's been through!
They disconnected him from EVERYTHING...IV fluids, TPN, wound vac, gastric tube put to leg bag....basically, all we had to deal with were his two bulbs from drainage tubes. They also went over my list of things to remember: keep him out of the sun, have him wear open-toed shoes & a cap, make sure he doesn't get overheated, watch for signs of blood sugar dropping too low, have sugar on hand in case that happens. And of course made sure I had a lollipop, and all the other necessities. I was a little anxious but very excited as well.
So much work went into making the tournament a success and it certainly was! And the funds raised on our behalf...WOW!!! We are incredibly blessed and humbled by everyone's generosity! It was wonderful to see our friends, as well as family members, and even Ron's surgeon from HEB (Dr. Elieson) was there with a foursome. Ron was able to speak to the group at lunch to convey our heartfelt thanks.
Doctor's & nurses were in to check on him as soon as we returned to Presby and get him connected back up to everything. They were anxious to hear all the details of our little outing; and to check all his vitals. Good to see his blood sugar level was 94 without having had anything in 4 hours! We were both very tired and took a short nap Monday afternoon before Heather came to do wound vac change at 7.
Being off the IV for 4 hours made his overall body fluid level a little low which was causing a decrease in his blood pressure so they had to give him a bolus (extra amount) of fluids Tuesday. BP still slightly low today, but they don't seem to be concerned.
Tuesday he had CT and Interventional Radiology; nothing new...things are getting slightly smaller but no changes were made. He goes back on Friday and they are hoping to decrease size of lower tube and will inject something into the remaining hematoma in upper area to get that broken up.
Today was an uneventful day, wound vac change this afternoon...it's looking better each time. Somewhere down the road he will have surgery to totally close the incision site, but that won't happen until he is much healthier and has been eating for quite a while.
Thanks for your continued support and encouragement!
Monday, Ron was able to be released for 4 hours of "recreational therapy" which meant I was able to take him to the golf tournament!!!! It was great! And it was definitely therapeutic!
We left the hospital at 11:30 and returned at 3:30. All the nurses, doctors, etc. were so excited for us; Dr. Shires and Dr. Arslanlar (GI...in charge of TPN) were both in the room helping to get him ready before we left! Other than his overall state of weakness; therefore making movement extremely slow; he looked great in khaki's and a golf shirt! Amazing to see him looking so "normal" considering all he's been through!
They disconnected him from EVERYTHING...IV fluids, TPN, wound vac, gastric tube put to leg bag....basically, all we had to deal with were his two bulbs from drainage tubes. They also went over my list of things to remember: keep him out of the sun, have him wear open-toed shoes & a cap, make sure he doesn't get overheated, watch for signs of blood sugar dropping too low, have sugar on hand in case that happens. And of course made sure I had a lollipop, and all the other necessities. I was a little anxious but very excited as well.
So much work went into making the tournament a success and it certainly was! And the funds raised on our behalf...WOW!!! We are incredibly blessed and humbled by everyone's generosity! It was wonderful to see our friends, as well as family members, and even Ron's surgeon from HEB (Dr. Elieson) was there with a foursome. Ron was able to speak to the group at lunch to convey our heartfelt thanks.
Doctor's & nurses were in to check on him as soon as we returned to Presby and get him connected back up to everything. They were anxious to hear all the details of our little outing; and to check all his vitals. Good to see his blood sugar level was 94 without having had anything in 4 hours! We were both very tired and took a short nap Monday afternoon before Heather came to do wound vac change at 7.
Being off the IV for 4 hours made his overall body fluid level a little low which was causing a decrease in his blood pressure so they had to give him a bolus (extra amount) of fluids Tuesday. BP still slightly low today, but they don't seem to be concerned.
Tuesday he had CT and Interventional Radiology; nothing new...things are getting slightly smaller but no changes were made. He goes back on Friday and they are hoping to decrease size of lower tube and will inject something into the remaining hematoma in upper area to get that broken up.
Today was an uneventful day, wound vac change this afternoon...it's looking better each time. Somewhere down the road he will have surgery to totally close the incision site, but that won't happen until he is much healthier and has been eating for quite a while.
Thanks for your continued support and encouragement!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Breaking News!
Once again, I must ask forgiveness for the lack of updates. It's been a VERY BUSY week!
Ron had CT scans and Interventional Radiology on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Monday's was routine but later he had high fever and was feeling really lousy all day Tuesday. Wednesday he was feeling much better but two days of being down obviously led to setback strength/energy-wise. Wednesday's CT/IR showed one of his tubes was clogged so they replaced it and did wound vac change. Friday's CT/IR showed things slowly improving but still leaking (and once again, they were able to do wound vac change while under anesthetic.)
But, Friday was hard emotionally. Usually when Ron is coming out of the anesthetic he's goofy and sweet but Friday...as he was coming out, he asked me what results were and I told him things were smaller and they will check him again in the next week or two to see progress. Of course, this means still nothing to eat or drink. As a tear slid down his cheek he said "I want to eat!" Well, that really got both Dianne (nurse) and me! She had to leave the room and I started crying along with him. He told me "I miss Aaron & Kristin and Ryan & Stacee!" Then he said "I want to go home! I feel like I'm missing out on so much". And he asked me "do you want to go home?" I told him I wanted to be wherever he was! And that I would take him home and make things work from there if that's what he wanted or needed! We talked and cried and he determined it was better if he was here, since each time he went home he had a setback. He also expressed his fears of this one healing and then another leak cropping up! I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest! But we made it through that little crisis of faith and have come out of it reminded God is still in control! He is still true to His promises! He once again reminded us of Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not evil to give you a future and a hope." And if another leak occurs after this one heals up, He will once again give us the strength to get through it!
Please, continue to ask God to protect our heart's and minds as we travel this road He has laid out for us.
If that's not enough to fill our time, we're fast approaching the end of the school year (YEAH!) which means semester exams, all the stuff necessary to close up office for this year as well as get things in order to do whatever work is needed for summer school and prepare for the beginning of next year!
AND on top of that....planning a surprise engagement party! YEP!!...Ryan proposed to Stacee Saturday night! She was totally clueless and it was wonderful! The day started with them coming to take me to breakfast for Mother's Day (since we didn't get a chance to celebrate last weekend.) They conveniently gave me a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure and Ryan planned for Stacee to convince me to get it done that day saying she wanted to get her nails done since they were going downtown on a date supposedly to an event at Bass Hall. Sneaky plans to get her nails done for showing off the ring to come! After an early dinner, as they were walking over to Bass Hall they stopped at Schokolad (specialty chocolate shop; Stacee is a choc-a-holic!) As Stacee ordered a chocolate covered banana Ryan slipped out and Aaron slipped in and gave Stacee a card and said "Ryan wants you to open this now!" then, he too disappeared! The card told Stacee to go to the place where they had their first date when she came to Ft. Worth. She stood there a couple of minutes in total confusion then made her way over to Reatta. (In the meantime, Kristin was driving the get-away car that took them to prepare for the big event!) After Stacee arrived, a fancy car was awaiting with the driver holding a sign saying "Dr. Davilla" (Stacee is also a Dr. of Physical Therapy...they met in grad school). The driver was great! He assured her everything was ok and she was to come with him. He then drove her to the Botanical Gardens.
Even after getting to the Botanical Gardens she didn't really know what was going on. They are doing this Bible Study on relationships for nearly- and newly- weds and this last week their assignment had been to write out what would be their perfect date. On Friday night, their designated date night to share what they've been learning from the study, she described her perfect date to Ryan which was to go to a park at sunset, blah, blah, blah.....so she was thinking he had set up her perfect date.
But, when she arrived, it was to have Ryan take her down the staircase at the rose garden. He and Kristin had found a grassy area where they had written in large letters R and S using rose petals. He then got down on his knee and popped the big question!!! (And all the ladies say, AAAHHHHHH!!!!!) Everyone there had stopped to watch and after he announced "SHE SAID YES!!!!" they all started clapping! So sweet!
When they got back to the car (Kristin had decorated the inside with rose petals, Bible engraved with Stacee's married name, a bouquet of white tulips...Stacee's favorite flower!...chocolate covered strawberries...one looked like a bride in dress, the other like a groom in tux...and champagne). She called her mom in hysterics and then Ryan called to tell us they were headed our way!
They came to Presby to "share the news with Mom and Dad" and we had 28 members of our family awaiting them up in the lobby of Hotel Presby. Including the added surprise of having Stacee's parents there from Florida! That really started the floodworks when she say her Momma!!! It was fun and sweet and, I must say, beautiful. So great that Aaron was able to hook up the video to the flat screen TV up in the lobby so everyone was able to watch all the events together!
The nurses and staff have been my cohorts in pulling this surprise off and went way above and beyond to help make sure everything came off smoothly. I think they have been just excited about all the goings on as we have!
And tomorrow is another BIG DAY! Golf tournament benefit! We are so blessed!
So, now you know why I haven't updated all week! Sorry to keep you all wondering how Ron's been doing.
Ron had CT scans and Interventional Radiology on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Monday's was routine but later he had high fever and was feeling really lousy all day Tuesday. Wednesday he was feeling much better but two days of being down obviously led to setback strength/energy-wise. Wednesday's CT/IR showed one of his tubes was clogged so they replaced it and did wound vac change. Friday's CT/IR showed things slowly improving but still leaking (and once again, they were able to do wound vac change while under anesthetic.)
But, Friday was hard emotionally. Usually when Ron is coming out of the anesthetic he's goofy and sweet but Friday...as he was coming out, he asked me what results were and I told him things were smaller and they will check him again in the next week or two to see progress. Of course, this means still nothing to eat or drink. As a tear slid down his cheek he said "I want to eat!" Well, that really got both Dianne (nurse) and me! She had to leave the room and I started crying along with him. He told me "I miss Aaron & Kristin and Ryan & Stacee!" Then he said "I want to go home! I feel like I'm missing out on so much". And he asked me "do you want to go home?" I told him I wanted to be wherever he was! And that I would take him home and make things work from there if that's what he wanted or needed! We talked and cried and he determined it was better if he was here, since each time he went home he had a setback. He also expressed his fears of this one healing and then another leak cropping up! I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest! But we made it through that little crisis of faith and have come out of it reminded God is still in control! He is still true to His promises! He once again reminded us of Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not evil to give you a future and a hope." And if another leak occurs after this one heals up, He will once again give us the strength to get through it!
Please, continue to ask God to protect our heart's and minds as we travel this road He has laid out for us.
If that's not enough to fill our time, we're fast approaching the end of the school year (YEAH!) which means semester exams, all the stuff necessary to close up office for this year as well as get things in order to do whatever work is needed for summer school and prepare for the beginning of next year!
AND on top of that....planning a surprise engagement party! YEP!!...Ryan proposed to Stacee Saturday night! She was totally clueless and it was wonderful! The day started with them coming to take me to breakfast for Mother's Day (since we didn't get a chance to celebrate last weekend.) They conveniently gave me a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure and Ryan planned for Stacee to convince me to get it done that day saying she wanted to get her nails done since they were going downtown on a date supposedly to an event at Bass Hall. Sneaky plans to get her nails done for showing off the ring to come! After an early dinner, as they were walking over to Bass Hall they stopped at Schokolad (specialty chocolate shop; Stacee is a choc-a-holic!) As Stacee ordered a chocolate covered banana Ryan slipped out and Aaron slipped in and gave Stacee a card and said "Ryan wants you to open this now!" then, he too disappeared! The card told Stacee to go to the place where they had their first date when she came to Ft. Worth. She stood there a couple of minutes in total confusion then made her way over to Reatta. (In the meantime, Kristin was driving the get-away car that took them to prepare for the big event!) After Stacee arrived, a fancy car was awaiting with the driver holding a sign saying "Dr. Davilla" (Stacee is also a Dr. of Physical Therapy...they met in grad school). The driver was great! He assured her everything was ok and she was to come with him. He then drove her to the Botanical Gardens.
Even after getting to the Botanical Gardens she didn't really know what was going on. They are doing this Bible Study on relationships for nearly- and newly- weds and this last week their assignment had been to write out what would be their perfect date. On Friday night, their designated date night to share what they've been learning from the study, she described her perfect date to Ryan which was to go to a park at sunset, blah, blah, blah.....so she was thinking he had set up her perfect date.
But, when she arrived, it was to have Ryan take her down the staircase at the rose garden. He and Kristin had found a grassy area where they had written in large letters R and S using rose petals. He then got down on his knee and popped the big question!!! (And all the ladies say, AAAHHHHHH!!!!!) Everyone there had stopped to watch and after he announced "SHE SAID YES!!!!" they all started clapping! So sweet!
When they got back to the car (Kristin had decorated the inside with rose petals, Bible engraved with Stacee's married name, a bouquet of white tulips...Stacee's favorite flower!...chocolate covered strawberries...one looked like a bride in dress, the other like a groom in tux...and champagne). She called her mom in hysterics and then Ryan called to tell us they were headed our way!
They came to Presby to "share the news with Mom and Dad" and we had 28 members of our family awaiting them up in the lobby of Hotel Presby. Including the added surprise of having Stacee's parents there from Florida! That really started the floodworks when she say her Momma!!! It was fun and sweet and, I must say, beautiful. So great that Aaron was able to hook up the video to the flat screen TV up in the lobby so everyone was able to watch all the events together!
The nurses and staff have been my cohorts in pulling this surprise off and went way above and beyond to help make sure everything came off smoothly. I think they have been just excited about all the goings on as we have!
And tomorrow is another BIG DAY! Golf tournament benefit! We are so blessed!
So, now you know why I haven't updated all week! Sorry to keep you all wondering how Ron's been doing.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Keeno comes to Presby!
Sorry for the lack of update yesterday...I was busy partying with my girlfriends last night up in the Hotel Presby lobby! And what a great time of fellowship we had! Thanks, girls! It was wonderful to be with you! And surprise, surprise...I ended up with all the prizes! After games were over the girls had snuck back to my room and left all the prizes there! Plus a generous offering of gift cards, cash and other treats! We are incredibly blessed!!!!
Ron was scheduled for Interventional Radiology yesterday at 1 but, as Dr. Shires says, that's "hospital time". Ron actually called me at 7:45 AM and said they were there to get him. He returned about 11AM. He had both drains replaced with new tubing and they did a CT scan but, as yet, we haven't heard any results. They also had Heather do wound vac change while he was under anesthesia, yippee! Wound is not yet to the point where they can remove vac, though. He is scheduled to go down again on Friday. Still waiting for all fluids to dry out to allow fistula to heal on its own.
He was pretty wiped out all day from it and was never able to go for a walk because of woozy, light-headed feeling. Aaron came up and spent some time with him while I was enjoying Keeno. After everyone left and I went back to spend some time with him before going to bed, I found he was running a fever; 102.8! Not good! This has happened before after a procedure. Sometimes when they manipulate the tubes, it's just enough to stir up some bacteria in the belly to set things off. I stayed with him until 1AM bathing him with cool clothes, making him eat ice chips and keep ice packs on; helping with whatever I could to keep him comfortable. They called one of the residents around midnight who ordered blood work & urinalysis. So far, nothing has grown.
He ran temp off and on all night but the highest it has been so far today has been 100.2. He's feeling really crummy and has literally slept almost all day, other than waking long enough to go to bathroom (thanks to the diuretic!); he has only been up a couple of hours all day! Poor guy, he has that glassy-eyed, I feel like I've been hit by a truck, look! His creatnine (kidney function) is also a little elevated and they are adjusting his TPN to give him more amino acids (slowly, so as not to affect the liver). The added amino acids should promote healing.
Please pray this will be a very small setback and he'll bounce back quickly. Every time he's laid up in bed, it's a backwards step; especially therapy-wise
Love you guys!
Christie
PS: Scripture reference from last update was from Isaiah 26:8 New Living Translation.
Ron was scheduled for Interventional Radiology yesterday at 1 but, as Dr. Shires says, that's "hospital time". Ron actually called me at 7:45 AM and said they were there to get him. He returned about 11AM. He had both drains replaced with new tubing and they did a CT scan but, as yet, we haven't heard any results. They also had Heather do wound vac change while he was under anesthesia, yippee! Wound is not yet to the point where they can remove vac, though. He is scheduled to go down again on Friday. Still waiting for all fluids to dry out to allow fistula to heal on its own.
He was pretty wiped out all day from it and was never able to go for a walk because of woozy, light-headed feeling. Aaron came up and spent some time with him while I was enjoying Keeno. After everyone left and I went back to spend some time with him before going to bed, I found he was running a fever; 102.8! Not good! This has happened before after a procedure. Sometimes when they manipulate the tubes, it's just enough to stir up some bacteria in the belly to set things off. I stayed with him until 1AM bathing him with cool clothes, making him eat ice chips and keep ice packs on; helping with whatever I could to keep him comfortable. They called one of the residents around midnight who ordered blood work & urinalysis. So far, nothing has grown.
He ran temp off and on all night but the highest it has been so far today has been 100.2. He's feeling really crummy and has literally slept almost all day, other than waking long enough to go to bathroom (thanks to the diuretic!); he has only been up a couple of hours all day! Poor guy, he has that glassy-eyed, I feel like I've been hit by a truck, look! His creatnine (kidney function) is also a little elevated and they are adjusting his TPN to give him more amino acids (slowly, so as not to affect the liver). The added amino acids should promote healing.
Please pray this will be a very small setback and he'll bounce back quickly. Every time he's laid up in bed, it's a backwards step; especially therapy-wise
Love you guys!
Christie
PS: Scripture reference from last update was from Isaiah 26:8 New Living Translation.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
First off:
For those interested, you still have time to sign up for the golf tournament to be held next Monday, May 19! Attached is the flyer with all pertinent information as well as registration form.
We are blessed to have such amazing friends and church family who have gone to so much trouble to arrange this fundraiser on our behalf. Thanks for allowing me to make this shameless plug!
Now on to news:
Quiet weekend. We decided to celebrate Mother's Day next weekend since Aaron had a 3 day lifeguarding course (included Saturday & Sunday); and Kristin was out of town for a friend's baby shower. We did get to spend this afternoon with Ryan and Stacee watching the The Players Championship (golf tournament), though.
I'm very excited...tomorrow night, my group is bringing our monthly Keeno to me! They are providing dinner & the works. We'll use the lobby area up in Hotel Presby to eat & play. I haven't been with my girls since September and am really looking forward to some good girlfriend time!
Tomorrow, Ron has another fistulagram scheduled. They are hoping to be able to move one of the drains. And if all goes well, during wound vac care they will be able to remove it and not have to replace it....wound is not completely closed, but they've known all along this was to restore healthy tissue which will promote "granulation" so healing can occur. Dr. Shires likened it to a cookie cutter taking a chunk out of the skin. Eventually he will have plastic surgery to totally close the site; probably months down the road.
Please lift up each individual member of our family....7 months of balancing jobs, school, and fitting in time together is really begin to wear on each of us. Jobs are beginning to require more responsibility including some travelling & alot of extended hours. Much has taken place in our lives over the last year from 2 graduations, 1 wedding, everyone making major life changes including job changes, long distance moves and don't forget to throw in some "dying spells"... things have been a bit overwhelming. We covet your prayers and rest in knowing God promises to provide for our every need.
We appreciate your faithfulness!
Love, Christie
"Lord...our heart's desire is to glorify Your name."
For those interested, you still have time to sign up for the golf tournament to be held next Monday, May 19! Attached is the flyer with all pertinent information as well as registration form.
We are blessed to have such amazing friends and church family who have gone to so much trouble to arrange this fundraiser on our behalf. Thanks for allowing me to make this shameless plug!
Now on to news:
Quiet weekend. We decided to celebrate Mother's Day next weekend since Aaron had a 3 day lifeguarding course (included Saturday & Sunday); and Kristin was out of town for a friend's baby shower. We did get to spend this afternoon with Ryan and Stacee watching the The Players Championship (golf tournament), though.
I'm very excited...tomorrow night, my group is bringing our monthly Keeno to me! They are providing dinner & the works. We'll use the lobby area up in Hotel Presby to eat & play. I haven't been with my girls since September and am really looking forward to some good girlfriend time!
Tomorrow, Ron has another fistulagram scheduled. They are hoping to be able to move one of the drains. And if all goes well, during wound vac care they will be able to remove it and not have to replace it....wound is not completely closed, but they've known all along this was to restore healthy tissue which will promote "granulation" so healing can occur. Dr. Shires likened it to a cookie cutter taking a chunk out of the skin. Eventually he will have plastic surgery to totally close the site; probably months down the road.
Please lift up each individual member of our family....7 months of balancing jobs, school, and fitting in time together is really begin to wear on each of us. Jobs are beginning to require more responsibility including some travelling & alot of extended hours. Much has taken place in our lives over the last year from 2 graduations, 1 wedding, everyone making major life changes including job changes, long distance moves and don't forget to throw in some "dying spells"... things have been a bit overwhelming. We covet your prayers and rest in knowing God promises to provide for our every need.
We appreciate your faithfulness!
Love, Christie
"Lord...our heart's desire is to glorify Your name."
Friday, May 9, 2008
Hurry up and wait...
Not much to report from today's tests. There have been no significant changes other than they can now pinpoint where the leak is coming from. I was concerned that this meant it had gotten bigger but was assured it's because inflammation is now down and there is less fluid so easier to see.
He did not have any anesthesia for either of the procedures so had to endure torture of wound vac change while awake. It's always nice to visit with Heather (wound care specialist), though. She does her best to keep him preoccupied.
He goes back on Monday afternoon and they are hoping to be able to make changes with the drainage tubes at that time. They've already scheduled wound vac change to happen after the procedure while he's still under anesthesia.
They started him on diuretics again to help with the pain and swelling in his legs.Please pray his fluid levels will balance out. It's a very fine balance...he tends to get dehydrated easily which causes his blood pressure to get too low, leading to other problems.
Have a great weekend!
He did not have any anesthesia for either of the procedures so had to endure torture of wound vac change while awake. It's always nice to visit with Heather (wound care specialist), though. She does her best to keep him preoccupied.
He goes back on Monday afternoon and they are hoping to be able to make changes with the drainage tubes at that time. They've already scheduled wound vac change to happen after the procedure while he's still under anesthesia.
They started him on diuretics again to help with the pain and swelling in his legs.Please pray his fluid levels will balance out. It's a very fine balance...he tends to get dehydrated easily which causes his blood pressure to get too low, leading to other problems.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Good and bad news to report...
Good news: Ron is now walking without the walker! YEAH!!!
Bad news: He's leaking again.
Things had been pretty good the last few days; drainage in bulbs was just old blood, which is good; but sometime during the night his G-tube got clogged. They were having to empty his bulbs frequently and it was once again bile from stomach. We were all hoping things would continue to be better and he'd be able to have one of the tubes pulled back some tomorrow when he goes for his next scheduled set of "pictures".
And, his legs are once again very large! Left leg is larger than the right and it is definitely painful. The blood clots have caused swelling to increase. This is what gets him down; the swelling makes his skin extremely tight and painful, along with the added weight in his legs, which makes getting up and about difficult.
Please pray as he goes for "pictures" tomorrow and, being Friday, another wound vac change.
In case you didn't know, it is Nurse Appreciation Week so say an extra prayer and praise God for nurses! We have been truly blessed with some incredible nurses throughout Ron's stay here at Presby, as well as when he was at Harris HEB. And take the time to thank a nurse for answering God's call to serve in this very important (often unappreciated) profession
Much love,
Christie
"God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of His power." Job 37:5 NLT
Bad news: He's leaking again.
Things had been pretty good the last few days; drainage in bulbs was just old blood, which is good; but sometime during the night his G-tube got clogged. They were having to empty his bulbs frequently and it was once again bile from stomach. We were all hoping things would continue to be better and he'd be able to have one of the tubes pulled back some tomorrow when he goes for his next scheduled set of "pictures".
And, his legs are once again very large! Left leg is larger than the right and it is definitely painful. The blood clots have caused swelling to increase. This is what gets him down; the swelling makes his skin extremely tight and painful, along with the added weight in his legs, which makes getting up and about difficult.
Please pray as he goes for "pictures" tomorrow and, being Friday, another wound vac change.
In case you didn't know, it is Nurse Appreciation Week so say an extra prayer and praise God for nurses! We have been truly blessed with some incredible nurses throughout Ron's stay here at Presby, as well as when he was at Harris HEB. And take the time to thank a nurse for answering God's call to serve in this very important (often unappreciated) profession
Much love,
Christie
"God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of His power." Job 37:5 NLT
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Overdue Update!
Mornin'!
Sorry I didn't get a chance to update yesterday....it was a long day! I went down to Ron's room at 7AM so I could be there when they came to take him for CT scan, scheduled for 7:30 but it was after 9 before they came! AARRRGGGGHHHH!!! Hospital time! CT didn't take long; then he went to a "holding area" until Interventional Radiology was ready for him; which wasn't 'til 11. He was down there until around 2. They were able to remove his Central Line, replace PICC line, manipulate one of his drainage tubes, and have Wound Care do wound vac change. Everyone seemed pleased with results. The fistula (site of leak) must be a tiny pinprick; they were not able to see it as they injected contrast into the area but have evidence it's there...somewhere in the small intestines between the stomach and resection which is the shortest area, so that's good. The hematoma/clot continues to get considerably smaller (originally football-sized!, that's why he was having so much pressure on his diaphragm). The lower area has completely collapsed so they have pulled back (shortened) that tube to dry things out. They will continue to "take pictures" periodically and pull out slowly until they are sure it is totally gone, before removing.
Ron was very sore and groggy the rest of the day; only got up once for a walk before I left for the night.
They will not feed him again until everything has closed down/healed. So, looks like we're here 'til ????? Which is ok. We certainly don't want to go home until we know everything is in working order and they have progressed him from liquids up to a more normal diet! And we really don't want to go home with the wound vac. His spirits are good and he's working very hard towards regaining his strength. Up until yesterday, he was also working towards a more normal sleep routine, not sleeping 'til noon but with all the anesthetics yesterday, I wouldn't be surprised if it has set things off a bit!
Thanks for your continued prayer support, financial support, e-mails, texts and cards of encouragement...you are invaluable!
Love,
Christie
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Sorry I didn't get a chance to update yesterday....it was a long day! I went down to Ron's room at 7AM so I could be there when they came to take him for CT scan, scheduled for 7:30 but it was after 9 before they came! AARRRGGGGHHHH!!! Hospital time! CT didn't take long; then he went to a "holding area" until Interventional Radiology was ready for him; which wasn't 'til 11. He was down there until around 2. They were able to remove his Central Line, replace PICC line, manipulate one of his drainage tubes, and have Wound Care do wound vac change. Everyone seemed pleased with results. The fistula (site of leak) must be a tiny pinprick; they were not able to see it as they injected contrast into the area but have evidence it's there...somewhere in the small intestines between the stomach and resection which is the shortest area, so that's good. The hematoma/clot continues to get considerably smaller (originally football-sized!, that's why he was having so much pressure on his diaphragm). The lower area has completely collapsed so they have pulled back (shortened) that tube to dry things out. They will continue to "take pictures" periodically and pull out slowly until they are sure it is totally gone, before removing.
Ron was very sore and groggy the rest of the day; only got up once for a walk before I left for the night.
They will not feed him again until everything has closed down/healed. So, looks like we're here 'til ????? Which is ok. We certainly don't want to go home until we know everything is in working order and they have progressed him from liquids up to a more normal diet! And we really don't want to go home with the wound vac. His spirits are good and he's working very hard towards regaining his strength. Up until yesterday, he was also working towards a more normal sleep routine, not sleeping 'til noon but with all the anesthetics yesterday, I wouldn't be surprised if it has set things off a bit!
Thanks for your continued prayer support, financial support, e-mails, texts and cards of encouragement...you are invaluable!
Love,
Christie
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Sunday, May 4, 2008
On the move...
Friday, Dr. Shires came in late afternoon and said "Let's move to 6 West!" So good to be back upstairs in our old room; Dr. Shires himself called up and asked them if the suite was available! We are blessed! It takes a couple of days to get used to how quiet it is, as opposed to "the unit". (what the docs and nurses call CCU/ICU).
He's off all the monitors and even had his catheter removed Saturday. He is now allowed to get out of bed and walk with just my assistance which is great. We went outside by ourselves yesterday, Ron walked (with walker) until we got to the doors leading outside where he switched to a wheelchair. I'm sure it was quite a site with me trying to push the wheelchair and the IV pole at the same time. The weather was beautiful so we sat out by the fountain about an hour.
Today, Ryan, Stacee, Aaron & Kristin were here so I had alot of help getting him outside. We had a great time playing Bocce Ball out on the lawn by the fountain! Great physical and occupational therapy for Ron! And fun for all of us!
He has not needed any lollipops the last couple of days but hits that pain button often, especially after walking.
Tomorrow morning (7:30 AM) he goes down for another CT scan. He is also scheduled for a fistulagram with Interventional Radiology. And they are planning to remove his central line (in his neck) and change his PICC line (in his left arm). We're really hoping they will also change out his wound vac while he is under anesthetic. That would be great for him to sleep through that torture!
Please pray for definitive answers.
He's off all the monitors and even had his catheter removed Saturday. He is now allowed to get out of bed and walk with just my assistance which is great. We went outside by ourselves yesterday, Ron walked (with walker) until we got to the doors leading outside where he switched to a wheelchair. I'm sure it was quite a site with me trying to push the wheelchair and the IV pole at the same time. The weather was beautiful so we sat out by the fountain about an hour.
Today, Ryan, Stacee, Aaron & Kristin were here so I had alot of help getting him outside. We had a great time playing Bocce Ball out on the lawn by the fountain! Great physical and occupational therapy for Ron! And fun for all of us!
He has not needed any lollipops the last couple of days but hits that pain button often, especially after walking.
Tomorrow morning (7:30 AM) he goes down for another CT scan. He is also scheduled for a fistulagram with Interventional Radiology. And they are planning to remove his central line (in his neck) and change his PICC line (in his left arm). We're really hoping they will also change out his wound vac while he is under anesthetic. That would be great for him to sleep through that torture!
Please pray for definitive answers.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Rough time
Our poor guy just can't seem to catch a break! Dr. Weinstein (pulmonologist/Critical Care coordinator) had them do a doppler on his legs to check for blood clots, once you have a blood clot, you are prone to more. The one in his left calf (diagnosed in October) has resolved but he still has one in his right thigh (diagnosed in November) and now has one in his left thigh and a partial obstruction in his right calf. Good thing he has the filter (inserted into inferior vena cava last November) that will keep clot from going into lungs.
He's had more pain in his wound site today, most likely due to small leakage of bile from intestines. This leak wicks down into the wound area and out through wound vac. For now he is off all liquids (back to only ice chips) so everything will dry out and allow leak to heal on it's own.
His Albumin level continues to be low which is one reason his legs are so huge...Albumin is what helps your body keep fluid in vascular system instead of leaching into your tissue. They are treating him with occasional doses of diuretics but have to be careful not to "dry out" his kidney. It also has to do with why his blood pressure is trending low.
Dr. Shires is not overly concerned about any of these issues, just more speed bumps along the way to recovery. He did say Ron will be in CCU/ICU (Critical Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit...interchangeable term!) until they can get his fluid levels and blood pressure more under control. And he's not going to tell Ron when he's moving him up to 6 West until it actually happens! Every time he mentions it, Ron has something else crop up!
With all that's going on he continues to stay positive and enthusiastic about getting up and moving around with PT & OT daily which will help mobilize the fluid. He also tries to get in a chair at least one other time a day and take another walk. Goal is to be out of bed three times a day.
As I was bathing Ron this afternoon, I told him his attitude about this entire ordeal reminds me of Paul's when he wrote to the Philippians (the first and last part of these verses makes
me think of you, our faithful prayer warriors!)
"How grateful I am and how I praise the Lord, that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but for a while you didn't have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. But even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty." Philippians 4:10-14 New Living Translation
He's had more pain in his wound site today, most likely due to small leakage of bile from intestines. This leak wicks down into the wound area and out through wound vac. For now he is off all liquids (back to only ice chips) so everything will dry out and allow leak to heal on it's own.
His Albumin level continues to be low which is one reason his legs are so huge...Albumin is what helps your body keep fluid in vascular system instead of leaching into your tissue. They are treating him with occasional doses of diuretics but have to be careful not to "dry out" his kidney. It also has to do with why his blood pressure is trending low.
Dr. Shires is not overly concerned about any of these issues, just more speed bumps along the way to recovery. He did say Ron will be in CCU/ICU (Critical Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit...interchangeable term!) until they can get his fluid levels and blood pressure more under control. And he's not going to tell Ron when he's moving him up to 6 West until it actually happens! Every time he mentions it, Ron has something else crop up!
With all that's going on he continues to stay positive and enthusiastic about getting up and moving around with PT & OT daily which will help mobilize the fluid. He also tries to get in a chair at least one other time a day and take another walk. Goal is to be out of bed three times a day.
As I was bathing Ron this afternoon, I told him his attitude about this entire ordeal reminds me of Paul's when he wrote to the Philippians (the first and last part of these verses makes
me think of you, our faithful prayer warriors!)
"How grateful I am and how I praise the Lord, that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but for a while you didn't have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. But even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty." Philippians 4:10-14 New Living Translation
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