IMPROVEMENT

According to Dr. Dunn, there is improvement!  Tom's legs and feet looked better this morning.  I guess the IV lasix plus the two oral diuretics are moving some fluid.  The doc asked Tom if he needed anything - Tom said "to go home".  Dr. Dunn said he wasn't the "go home" doctor.  He was going to find out today when Dr. Rutland was going to be back.  Tom was also going to talk to the on-call doc about going home. 

Tom currently has a cath.  It is very convenient since he is on so much of the diuretic medication.  If he goes home, that comes out because there is such a big risk of infection.  It's something to consider because Tom is not able to jump up out of the chair and run to the bathroom.  So, maybe another day or two in the hospital and they can cut back on some of the meds and Tom can go home.  It may be up to Tom at that point.  He told me he got up and walked around his room and did some exercises yesterday so hopefully moving around is helping get the fluid out too.

Dr. Dunn is very pleased with Tom's progress and said his kidneys are doing well.  He looked at the potassium level and it was fine.  I'll check with the nurses about all the rest of the levels - Tom was supposed to get a pretty full lab work-up today.  Tom is sleepy all the time.  I don't know if that is the new med or what.  He can fall asleep if you're having a conversation with him and I think he was about to fall asleep while eating breakfast this morning.  He said he slept some last night but I'm sure it's wasn't "good" sleep. 

That's about all I know for now.  There is still little or no wireless coverage at the hospital.  I guess their IT department is on vacation for the rest of the year!