I must say I was dreading coming to the hospital this morning. I was here until about 11 pm last night. Tom was sleeping when I left. I worried about him all night.
When I came in this morning, Tom was sitting up in bed eating breakfast. We both said "hey" and I asked him how he was doing. He told me he was feeling pretty good and that his ammonia level was back to normal. I just started crying. I was so relieved. The nurse told me he slept all night.
It's been a pretty good day. Tom's good friend Dennis was here for a good part of the day which was great for both of us. I took advantage of the time and headed back home and put away the few Christmas decorations we had up. I also cleaned out the fireplace and set it up for a new fire that we can enjoy when Tom comes home - it's supposed to get pretty cold here this week. The puppies enjoyed a nice day to run around in the yard.
Tom and I ordered dinner from Outback Steakhouse tonight. The break from hospital food was great! I will hang around until midnight and then head home. I could really use a good nights sleep.
We missed celebrating Christmas with my family in Memphis today but we all survived. I stayed pretty busy so which helped. Once Tom comes home we'll arrange to get together and exchange our gifts.
I'm really hoping Tom will want to get up and move around tomorrow. I think that would make him feel a lot better. His nurse took really good care of him today so that helped all of us.
Tom is back on the IV antibiotic he was on when he first got here (the same one he was getting at home). His white blood cell count went down to 14! His red blood cell count is low and if it falls any lower, they will give him some blood tomorrow. I asked for the results of last nights chest X-ray. The nurse told me "unofficially" that the record said "unremarkable". Really!?! What does that even mean? Could they be more ambiguous? The nurse said they didn't find anything so that is good news.
We're looking forward to an uneventful New Years Day full of football. We hope you all have a safe, happy, and healthy 2012!
Love,
Tom and Jeanne
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
BANGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL
No one deserves this!!!
I keep thinking I am going to be able to write something happy and positive - this is not one of those days.
Dr. Dunn was later than normal this morning so I missed his visit. Tom's initial bloodwork from this morning showed his white blood cell count (WBC) to be high (17, normal is 10). This usually indicates some kind of infection. My money is on the leg or the bladder. They have sent more blood and urine to the lab for tests and started Tom on an antibiotic. He's still lethargic so they are going to give him more of the medicine to help with that.
Tom also told me that Dr. Dunn said he was going to discharge Tom today but he can't now because of the infection. Note to medical personnel out there - do not EVER tell a patient you were going to let them go home - especially a patient that has been in the hospital over Christmas and will now be there over New Years. Bad, bad move.
OK, I've vented.
It appeared that Tom ate breakfast today but kept falling asleep when I asked about lunch. In fact, he was asleep when I left so he will probably not be too happy with me for sneaking out. Tom is having such a hard time being in the hospital - he is lonely at times and bored. He can't seem to catch a break. He doesn't even want to hear encouraging words from anyone - they are really difficult to believe right now.
I'm re-thinking my decision to go to Memphis. I'll make the call tonight after I see how Tom is doing. As my Mom says, I won't have a good time if I spend it all worrying about him - which is true - and I will worry!
It seems like more of the fluid should be gone after all of this time in the hospital getting meds. I know the process is slow but it seems like it's been better than this in the past. Tom is getting up some but mainly to go to the bathroom and that's it. I tried suggesting he sit in the chair for a while but he said it hurt too much. It's probably better if someone is there just in case he gets too uncomfortable. I really would like to try and get him out to walk in the halls a little but he hasn't felt like that either. I think once he is less lethargic, he will feel like moving around more - I hope so anyway.
So, I'm still praying - I hope you are also.
Thanks
I keep thinking I am going to be able to write something happy and positive - this is not one of those days.
Dr. Dunn was later than normal this morning so I missed his visit. Tom's initial bloodwork from this morning showed his white blood cell count (WBC) to be high (17, normal is 10). This usually indicates some kind of infection. My money is on the leg or the bladder. They have sent more blood and urine to the lab for tests and started Tom on an antibiotic. He's still lethargic so they are going to give him more of the medicine to help with that.
Tom also told me that Dr. Dunn said he was going to discharge Tom today but he can't now because of the infection. Note to medical personnel out there - do not EVER tell a patient you were going to let them go home - especially a patient that has been in the hospital over Christmas and will now be there over New Years. Bad, bad move.
OK, I've vented.
It appeared that Tom ate breakfast today but kept falling asleep when I asked about lunch. In fact, he was asleep when I left so he will probably not be too happy with me for sneaking out. Tom is having such a hard time being in the hospital - he is lonely at times and bored. He can't seem to catch a break. He doesn't even want to hear encouraging words from anyone - they are really difficult to believe right now.
I'm re-thinking my decision to go to Memphis. I'll make the call tonight after I see how Tom is doing. As my Mom says, I won't have a good time if I spend it all worrying about him - which is true - and I will worry!
It seems like more of the fluid should be gone after all of this time in the hospital getting meds. I know the process is slow but it seems like it's been better than this in the past. Tom is getting up some but mainly to go to the bathroom and that's it. I tried suggesting he sit in the chair for a while but he said it hurt too much. It's probably better if someone is there just in case he gets too uncomfortable. I really would like to try and get him out to walk in the halls a little but he hasn't felt like that either. I think once he is less lethargic, he will feel like moving around more - I hope so anyway.
So, I'm still praying - I hope you are also.
Thanks
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Rough day
Today started out with Tom tugging on his cath, causing more bleeding. They finally just removed it which brings on new challenges. He couldn't keep his eyes open this morning so I hung out and managed to get him to tell me what he wanted for breakfast. When I got back at lunch, his breakfast tray was in the room but had not been touched. His room was a mess so I spent time cleaning up, emptying the trash and cleaning the bathroom. Then the vertically challenged housekeeping staff member came in and asked me if I would unlock the paper towel dispenser for her. It's so nice to be needed.
I had asked his nurse this morning about the constant sleepiness, his ammonia level (because Tom has been lethargic again) and requested that he change the bandages on Tom's leg. At lunch, he told me that Tom's ammonia level was high, his potassium level was a little high and they were changing some of his meds. He had not "had a chance" to change the bandages (I understand that but it didn't make me very happy). I didn't think Tom had been taking all of the prescribed ammonia medicine but when I asked him about it he told me it was "fine". I have asked the nursing staff to please be sure they stick around and make sure he takes all of that med. He does really well with the other meds. He's mad at me for saying something about it.
This evening things are slightly better. His bandages have been changed, I only needed to do minor cleaning and he's eating dinner as I write this. He told me Dr. Dunn has taken him off the IV meds so I'll ask the nurse about that. I thought they would give him some blood today but that didn't happen. They are supposed to check everything tomorrow so maybe someone can give me the results then. It's really a struggle to get information out of the staff this time.
I think the staff is assuming Tom is ok on his own. Even though they have the bed alarm on and he may call them when he needs to get up, they are not as responsive as they need to be. Tom said they are doing some kind of group thing where he gets a different nurse every couple of hours. I don't understand that at all.
Tom is taking his frustrations out on me (which is fine) and the cafeteria people. I admit, they are very slow and they will tend to leave his tray on the cart outside his door. He may end up with two dinners tonight. While he was on the phone complaining about not receiving his meal, it was placed on the cart outside. I tried to tell him not to make the food people mad - that could turn out bad!
Since it doesn't look like Tom is getting out of here, I am making plans to head to Memphis on Saturday to celebrate Christmas with my side of our family. I haven't told Tom yet and I'm trying to arrange for some of his friends to hang out with him for a while until I get back. It will be a very quick trip. I know he will be disappointed to miss so I am not making a big deal of it. I'll be back in plenty of time to ring in the new year. Maybe we can go outside at midnight and technically won't be "in" the hospital!! I'll probably pick up some good food from a nice restaurant for us.
Still waiting on the night shift nurse to come in so I can ask all my questions and really make Tom mad. He is now eating dinner number two.
Good night!
I had asked his nurse this morning about the constant sleepiness, his ammonia level (because Tom has been lethargic again) and requested that he change the bandages on Tom's leg. At lunch, he told me that Tom's ammonia level was high, his potassium level was a little high and they were changing some of his meds. He had not "had a chance" to change the bandages (I understand that but it didn't make me very happy). I didn't think Tom had been taking all of the prescribed ammonia medicine but when I asked him about it he told me it was "fine". I have asked the nursing staff to please be sure they stick around and make sure he takes all of that med. He does really well with the other meds. He's mad at me for saying something about it.
This evening things are slightly better. His bandages have been changed, I only needed to do minor cleaning and he's eating dinner as I write this. He told me Dr. Dunn has taken him off the IV meds so I'll ask the nurse about that. I thought they would give him some blood today but that didn't happen. They are supposed to check everything tomorrow so maybe someone can give me the results then. It's really a struggle to get information out of the staff this time.
I think the staff is assuming Tom is ok on his own. Even though they have the bed alarm on and he may call them when he needs to get up, they are not as responsive as they need to be. Tom said they are doing some kind of group thing where he gets a different nurse every couple of hours. I don't understand that at all.
Tom is taking his frustrations out on me (which is fine) and the cafeteria people. I admit, they are very slow and they will tend to leave his tray on the cart outside his door. He may end up with two dinners tonight. While he was on the phone complaining about not receiving his meal, it was placed on the cart outside. I tried to tell him not to make the food people mad - that could turn out bad!
Since it doesn't look like Tom is getting out of here, I am making plans to head to Memphis on Saturday to celebrate Christmas with my side of our family. I haven't told Tom yet and I'm trying to arrange for some of his friends to hang out with him for a while until I get back. It will be a very quick trip. I know he will be disappointed to miss so I am not making a big deal of it. I'll be back in plenty of time to ring in the new year. Maybe we can go outside at midnight and technically won't be "in" the hospital!! I'll probably pick up some good food from a nice restaurant for us.
Still waiting on the night shift nurse to come in so I can ask all my questions and really make Tom mad. He is now eating dinner number two.
Good night!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
STILL HERE
In the hospital . . . that is. Sorry for no update yesterday - not that there was anything to report. The wireless Internet coverage in the hospital has not been very good during this stay and was nonexistant yesterday. I was going to post an update last night when I got home but then I get busy with the puppies and doing stuff and I just forget!!
Dr. Dunn, the kidney doctor, came in this morning and asked when Dr. Rutland was going to let Tom go home. I guess he sees no need for Tom to stay in the hospital. He doesn't even think there is a need for IV lasix and that the oral form will do just fine. The process is slower than we would like. Tom said it's difficult for him to get around with his legs still so swollen. At times it doesn't even seem like the swelling has gone down at all but it will leave his legs/feet last. Tom was up once overnight (he said). Dr. Dunn asked him about physical therapy - which Tom has not had during his stay. Tom didn't have anything good to say about the hospital PT people. I think every little bit helps but that's just my opinion. My biggest worry with him coming home is falling. It is so easy for him to lose his balance and he gets frustrated using the walker too. Dr. Dunn was going to talk to Dr. Rutland today so maybe we'll get some good news.
Tom was a bit lethargic last night. They didn't give him any blood yesterday and were going to watch and see if the counts came up on their own. I hope I am there today when Dr. Rutland comes by. I want to ask him about all of the other things - electrolytes and such just to make sure nothing else is wrong. Tom's potassium was low on Christmas Eve so they gave him something for that, plus the blood. He may need a little more blood so if he does, I wish they would get on with it so he could go home.
Tom got on to me for posting that he "fell" last week (apparently a couple of folks have called him and asked him about it). He said he didn't "fall" but just "slipped". Whatever . . . he still has a swollen, bruised wrist. I have kindly requested that he call the nurse or tech and let them know he is going to get up (and they can run or ignore him as they please). He told me he could take care of himself so I guess he will be stubborn and I will pray that he doesn't "slip" again!
Don't laugh, they were on sale and are actually pretty nice. All the others I've looked at are cheap sweater fabric. The dogs were not too excited but I'll try again and see if they get used to them. Sorry the pix is a little blury, they would not stand still. They look humiliated, don't they?!? It could be worse - I tried getting a picture of them wearing Santa hats, Finley chewed the pom-pom off of hers before I could even get Fritzi's on. The hats went in the trash.
Dr. Dunn, the kidney doctor, came in this morning and asked when Dr. Rutland was going to let Tom go home. I guess he sees no need for Tom to stay in the hospital. He doesn't even think there is a need for IV lasix and that the oral form will do just fine. The process is slower than we would like. Tom said it's difficult for him to get around with his legs still so swollen. At times it doesn't even seem like the swelling has gone down at all but it will leave his legs/feet last. Tom was up once overnight (he said). Dr. Dunn asked him about physical therapy - which Tom has not had during his stay. Tom didn't have anything good to say about the hospital PT people. I think every little bit helps but that's just my opinion. My biggest worry with him coming home is falling. It is so easy for him to lose his balance and he gets frustrated using the walker too. Dr. Dunn was going to talk to Dr. Rutland today so maybe we'll get some good news.
Tom was a bit lethargic last night. They didn't give him any blood yesterday and were going to watch and see if the counts came up on their own. I hope I am there today when Dr. Rutland comes by. I want to ask him about all of the other things - electrolytes and such just to make sure nothing else is wrong. Tom's potassium was low on Christmas Eve so they gave him something for that, plus the blood. He may need a little more blood so if he does, I wish they would get on with it so he could go home.
Tom got on to me for posting that he "fell" last week (apparently a couple of folks have called him and asked him about it). He said he didn't "fall" but just "slipped". Whatever . . . he still has a swollen, bruised wrist. I have kindly requested that he call the nurse or tech and let them know he is going to get up (and they can run or ignore him as they please). He told me he could take care of himself so I guess he will be stubborn and I will pray that he doesn't "slip" again!
I managed to get up early yesterday and stole 2 hours to go to the mall and run a few errands. I bought Tom a couple of things and sweaters for the dogs. They get so cold and sometimes refuse to go outside - but I don't think this is going to help. I will NOT put these on at 3 am for a potty trip outside!!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas in the hospital
We've actually had a very nice Christmas - the highlight of course was the surprise visit from Tom's sisters and their families. We had a feast of food and lots of wonderful gifts including a huge bag of snacks from his sister Cathy's co-workers and a special gift from another friend of hers - we are so humbled and blessed. I know it made all the difference in the world to Tom to have his family here. I'm sure he will sleep well tonight too.
Another highlight today was that Tom was allowed to get up and walk around just a little. It was only one time but hopefully he will have a chance to get up more tomorrow. This morning the doc told Tom that things were looking better. The blood Tom received yesterday didn't bring his red blood count up enough so he will probably get some more tomorrow. It should help him feel stronger. He ran a bit of a temperature yesterday and last night but it's been normal today.
I've prayed for all of you and hope you've had a blessed Christmas day. Please continue to spread the joy and hope of Christ's birth throughout the new year.
God bless you.
Another highlight today was that Tom was allowed to get up and walk around just a little. It was only one time but hopefully he will have a chance to get up more tomorrow. This morning the doc told Tom that things were looking better. The blood Tom received yesterday didn't bring his red blood count up enough so he will probably get some more tomorrow. It should help him feel stronger. He ran a bit of a temperature yesterday and last night but it's been normal today.
I've prayed for all of you and hope you've had a blessed Christmas day. Please continue to spread the joy and hope of Christ's birth throughout the new year.
God bless you.
Merry Christmas
Luke 2:11 ESV
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
Peace be with you.
Merry Christmas!
Love, Tom and Jeanne
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
Peace be with you.
Merry Christmas!
Love, Tom and Jeanne
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve - 2
Tonight is better. Tom seems to be in a little better mood. He is currently receiving his second unit of blood. He did receive albumin and lasix about 4 pm. His doctor has restricted his fluid intake to 1500 cc's which is not very much. Tom likes his juice and soda. Tom doesn't understand the need for the restriction and doesn't like my explanation so he said he would talk to the doc about it tomorrow. I think he's mad that Dr. Rutland didn't tell him he was restricting the fluids. Dr. Rutland is on call this weekend. I'm happy about that because I thought if an on-call doc was working there was no chance of going home. I am doubting Tom will be going home tomorrow anyway. My guess is Tuesday - when I go back to work!!!
I've got things all ready for our Christmas surprise and dinner tomorrow. I'm not quite sure how we're going to get it all in here but it will be fun trying. I hope it really cheers Tom up. I know the staff here tried to get as many patients home as they could, but there are still a lot here so we're not alone. It's sad when you think about it. It will be difficult to be at home tonight and wake up tomorrow apart from Tom but we'll survive.
I went home to feed and check on the pups earlier and found a plate of Christmas candy from our neighbors. We are blessed to be the recipients of so much neighborly Christmas Joy! On the way back I found myself making up new words to Christmas carols about being in the hospital on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I must be going crazy!
Tom has a good team tonight so he will be in good hands.
We pray that you all are having a wonderful Christmas Eve.
Blessings,
Jeanne
I've got things all ready for our Christmas surprise and dinner tomorrow. I'm not quite sure how we're going to get it all in here but it will be fun trying. I hope it really cheers Tom up. I know the staff here tried to get as many patients home as they could, but there are still a lot here so we're not alone. It's sad when you think about it. It will be difficult to be at home tonight and wake up tomorrow apart from Tom but we'll survive.
I went home to feed and check on the pups earlier and found a plate of Christmas candy from our neighbors. We are blessed to be the recipients of so much neighborly Christmas Joy! On the way back I found myself making up new words to Christmas carols about being in the hospital on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I must be going crazy!
Tom has a good team tonight so he will be in good hands.
We pray that you all are having a wonderful Christmas Eve.
Blessings,
Jeanne
Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas everyone!
Tom's wrist seems to be better today - that's about all of the info I've gotten out of him so far. He is in a very bad mood.
Late last night when I left he seemed to be doing much better. I offered again to stay and he said no. Anyone want to sit with him today? I can't wait for his sisters to arrive tomorrow. I sure hope that cheers him up!
I don't know if the docs have been in or what they have said. I guess they are continuing to do the same thing. I'll have to try getting some info out of the nurses.
If anything changes, I'll post again.
Tom's wrist seems to be better today - that's about all of the info I've gotten out of him so far. He is in a very bad mood.
Late last night when I left he seemed to be doing much better. I offered again to stay and he said no. Anyone want to sit with him today? I can't wait for his sisters to arrive tomorrow. I sure hope that cheers him up!
I don't know if the docs have been in or what they have said. I guess they are continuing to do the same thing. I'll have to try getting some info out of the nurses.
If anything changes, I'll post again.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Not broken
According to Dr. Rutland, Tom's wrist is not broken. Apparently the radiologist has not read it yet for official word. Tom now has a splint for it and I think it's feeling a bit better. Dr. Rutland came in before I made a trip home - he said that Tom' output yesterday was 3 liters! Add that to the 7 they pulled from his abdomen and I call that progress! I asked him if Tom was only getting one dose of albumin and lasix a day. He said one albumin and 2 lasix. He didn't say anything to me about Tom not going home so I've decided to hold on to hope that Tom will be home on Christmas - even if it's Christmas night. I told Tom I would stay here tonight but he said he would be ok. I went home a while ago to check on and feed the pups and found some beautiful flowers left on our door by our wonderful neighbors.
Each time I go home the dogs run to the back door waiting for Tom to come in - they are really missing him. I think they are a little tired of staying in the kitchen all day. Last night I came home and they had torn their Christmas placemat to shreds. It was everywhere! I spent a whole dollar on it too! I told them they would get another one when they were half-price!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully Tom's wrist will heal super-fast. He needs both hands to help get around, in and out of car, house and such.
Merry Christmas!
Each time I go home the dogs run to the back door waiting for Tom to come in - they are really missing him. I think they are a little tired of staying in the kitchen all day. Last night I came home and they had torn their Christmas placemat to shreds. It was everywhere! I spent a whole dollar on it too! I told them they would get another one when they were half-price!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully Tom's wrist will heal super-fast. He needs both hands to help get around, in and out of car, house and such.
Merry Christmas!
Just when you thought ...
...it couldn't get any worse. Toms doc came in early this morning and told him he would not be going home this weekend. He is beyond upset to be spending Christmas in the hospital. Lots of thoughts go through my head when I think about spending another holiday in the hospital but I am trying to focus on much more positive things like Tom is still alive and we are going to spend Christmas together and with his sisters who have changed their plans and are coming up on Christmas day to surprise him!
When he tried to get up to go to the bathroom later this morning, he tripped and fell. He hurt his leg, wrist and pulled his catheter. I got here right after they got him cleaned up and back to bed and things were still not going well. There was lots of blood. They have removed and replaced the cath and we are waiting on a portable X-ray for his wrist. The pain is very intense and he is even more miserable (if that is even possible). All of these additional injuries add to the possibility of infection so pray that doesn't happen.
It's really difficult to understand why these meds cannot be given to him by a home health nurse. He is receiving albumin which takes about 45 minutes by IV, followed 30 minutes later by a lasix injection. This happens only once a day and for that he spends the other 22.5 hours laying in bed. When I check the bed scale, his weight is coming down slowly. They want to make sure not to do too much that might upset the kidneys - we don't want that either - they've been every stable and his output has been phenomenal so hopefully this setback will not affect anything else. Needless to say he will not be getting up anymore - of course, that creates more challenges with his care.
A prayer has been answered and X-ray just arrived. Hopefully there is someone here who can read it and Tom can get some kind of relief very soon. He cannot take a lot of pain meds so they have given him all he can have until 6 pm.
I'll send another update when we have X-ray results. Pray for us both!
Thank you!
When he tried to get up to go to the bathroom later this morning, he tripped and fell. He hurt his leg, wrist and pulled his catheter. I got here right after they got him cleaned up and back to bed and things were still not going well. There was lots of blood. They have removed and replaced the cath and we are waiting on a portable X-ray for his wrist. The pain is very intense and he is even more miserable (if that is even possible). All of these additional injuries add to the possibility of infection so pray that doesn't happen.
It's really difficult to understand why these meds cannot be given to him by a home health nurse. He is receiving albumin which takes about 45 minutes by IV, followed 30 minutes later by a lasix injection. This happens only once a day and for that he spends the other 22.5 hours laying in bed. When I check the bed scale, his weight is coming down slowly. They want to make sure not to do too much that might upset the kidneys - we don't want that either - they've been every stable and his output has been phenomenal so hopefully this setback will not affect anything else. Needless to say he will not be getting up anymore - of course, that creates more challenges with his care.
A prayer has been answered and X-ray just arrived. Hopefully there is someone here who can read it and Tom can get some kind of relief very soon. He cannot take a lot of pain meds so they have given him all he can have until 6 pm.
I'll send another update when we have X-ray results. Pray for us both!
Thank you!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
MAKING PROGRESS
If the bed scale is correct, Tom as dropped about 15 lbs overnight! They finally got all of the albumin and lasix in overnight and things seem to be working. I don't know how often he will get these meds but hopefully the rapid progress will continue and Tom will get to go home on Saturday - that is our goal! Tom is "having a talk" with all of his care-givers to let them know what they need to be doing. I'm feeling kind of sorry for them because I'm sure they are hearing this from everyone this week. Of course, if there are fewer patients for them to care for, they get to go home early too so they would probably like to see as many patients as possible go home. I am trying to keep my mouth shut - difficult as it is!!
The nurse and tech were in and out all night so it doesn't sound like Tom got much sleep. He was planning to take a nap after breakfast - I envy him for that. I was late getting home last night and the dogs were wild. They stayed outside for a really long time and were running back and forth through the house until after midnight. I believe they caught, killed and gutted a rabbit since I found it in the driveway this morning. Not exactly something you want to see at 4:15 am! It was about the size of Fritzi! Tom thinks maybe a ocyote or something killed it first - even more scary if one of those was in our yard! I think a coyote would have done more damage to the rabbit - poor thing.
I don't know if I'll go to the hospital at lunch today or not. Tom seems to be handling everything and asking good questions so I don't feel like I need to intervene. I do like hearing first-hand what the doctor says though. Tomorrow is a holiday for me so hopefully the dogs and I can sleep in a little and do a few chores before heading to the hospital in time to catch the doctor.
Your mighty prayers are working - THANKS!!
The nurse and tech were in and out all night so it doesn't sound like Tom got much sleep. He was planning to take a nap after breakfast - I envy him for that. I was late getting home last night and the dogs were wild. They stayed outside for a really long time and were running back and forth through the house until after midnight. I believe they caught, killed and gutted a rabbit since I found it in the driveway this morning. Not exactly something you want to see at 4:15 am! It was about the size of Fritzi! Tom thinks maybe a ocyote or something killed it first - even more scary if one of those was in our yard! I think a coyote would have done more damage to the rabbit - poor thing.
I don't know if I'll go to the hospital at lunch today or not. Tom seems to be handling everything and asking good questions so I don't feel like I need to intervene. I do like hearing first-hand what the doctor says though. Tomorrow is a holiday for me so hopefully the dogs and I can sleep in a little and do a few chores before heading to the hospital in time to catch the doctor.
Your mighty prayers are working - THANKS!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Progress
Well it's been a productive day - so far. The PIC line was in good shape so nothing needed to be done to it. Our prayers were heard and they pulled some fluid from Tom's abdomen - about 7 liters according to Tom!
At this moment they are trying to give him some albumin but there is a problem with the tubing so it's taking a while to get that started. I really like the bulbs we have at home for delivering the IV meds, they should use them here. Anyway, once that runs, they will give him lasix. I think his day nurse said they were going to double up on the lasix.
This night nurse is not our favorite. She's kind of ditzy so I'm a little concerned that things will continue to move quickly through the night. If they don't I'm sure someone will hear about it from Tom. At least he has a really good tech. Please continue to pray that the meds will push this fluid out. Tom will hopefully feel the benefits of today's procedure in the next 24 hours.
Thanks for your continued support!
At this moment they are trying to give him some albumin but there is a problem with the tubing so it's taking a while to get that started. I really like the bulbs we have at home for delivering the IV meds, they should use them here. Anyway, once that runs, they will give him lasix. I think his day nurse said they were going to double up on the lasix.
This night nurse is not our favorite. She's kind of ditzy so I'm a little concerned that things will continue to move quickly through the night. If they don't I'm sure someone will hear about it from Tom. At least he has a really good tech. Please continue to pray that the meds will push this fluid out. Tom will hopefully feel the benefits of today's procedure in the next 24 hours.
Thanks for your continued support!
AS EXPECTED . . .
Tom went back to the hospital this morning to get his PIC line fixed and to hopefully drain some fluid. He is carrying about 50 lbs of fluid right now and it is really difficult.
As he was getting out of the car, his doctor called and said he couldn't promise that Tom would be out by Christmas and asked if he wanted to wait. Tom asked me what I thought and I told him I thought he should go ahead and start getting better. With the way he is gaining weight, he wouldn't have been able to move by Monday and would probably have trouble breathing too.
They got him admitted and in a room quickly (our favorite room 6110). Shortly after, they did a chest x-ray to see the placement of the PIC line. Tom called just a little while ago and said the PIC line was fine. They were able to flush it and get good blood return on each "tail". If I had tried that at home, there would have been bigger problems!!
So, hopefully the doc will go by at lunch and start writing orders and get things moving. They cannot pull all of the fluid off but will do as much as they can and not upset the kidneys. I'm sure he will get back on IV lasix and albumin too.
I ask that you pray for Tom - this is particularly difficult for him - he's very upset about possibly being in the hospital on Christmas. Pray that the fluid will start coming off quickly and we can get home by Saturday and manage the rest from there. I told him we can and should celebrate the true meaning of Christmas every day and we can do that anywhere - even in a hospital room.
One day at a time . . .
As he was getting out of the car, his doctor called and said he couldn't promise that Tom would be out by Christmas and asked if he wanted to wait. Tom asked me what I thought and I told him I thought he should go ahead and start getting better. With the way he is gaining weight, he wouldn't have been able to move by Monday and would probably have trouble breathing too.
They got him admitted and in a room quickly (our favorite room 6110). Shortly after, they did a chest x-ray to see the placement of the PIC line. Tom called just a little while ago and said the PIC line was fine. They were able to flush it and get good blood return on each "tail". If I had tried that at home, there would have been bigger problems!!
So, hopefully the doc will go by at lunch and start writing orders and get things moving. They cannot pull all of the fluid off but will do as much as they can and not upset the kidneys. I'm sure he will get back on IV lasix and albumin too.
I ask that you pray for Tom - this is particularly difficult for him - he's very upset about possibly being in the hospital on Christmas. Pray that the fluid will start coming off quickly and we can get home by Saturday and manage the rest from there. I told him we can and should celebrate the true meaning of Christmas every day and we can do that anywhere - even in a hospital room.
One day at a time . . .
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A BAD MONDAY
OK, now that it's over, it really wasn't THAT bad but it sure seemed like it at the time.
Tom and I went to Birmingham on Sunday because he didn't want to do the down-and-back in one day - which I totally understand. Birmingham is about 3 hours from our house, so not a bad trip. However, we didn't leave until about 4:30 so I drove most of it in the dark while Tom napped. I made a reservation at the hotel connected to the hospital and requested a handicap room - why, why, why did they put the handicap rooms at the END of the hall?? The only thing handicap about it was a bigger bathroom (which is nice) and all the bars. The bed and all the chairs were still pretty low to the ground and are very difficult for Tom (with extremely swollen legs) to get in and out of.
We were up early Monday, so we got ready to go have a nice breakfast together. It was quite a struggle for me to get Tom out of the chair and I messed up his PIC line which started bleeding (a real setback for my nursing skills). That landed us in the UAB emergency room at 7:30. They looked it over and took Tom to get an ultrasound. I thought we would have plenty of time to get it all fixed and make the doctors appointment on time . . . NOT! At 10:30 they discharged us from the ER. The PIC line was no longer bleeding but the ultrasound had not been read and they couldn't do anything until they knew the status. They put Tom in a wheelchair and pushed him over to the clinic so he could have the necessary labs drawn before seeing the doctor. I think we walked at least a mile to get there. Tom got the labs done and we were over at the doctors waiting room by 11:15. His appointment to see the doctor was at 12:15. I walked back over to the hospital to get us something to eat. They took Tom to the room at 12:30. At 1:15 I opened the door and saw the nurse. She "mentioned" that the doctor usually doesn't get over to the clinic until 1:30. I asked her why they made us an appointment at 12:15 if the doctor didn't get there until 1:30 . . . she shrugged her shoulders. I asked about getting the PIC line fixed - she knew nothing about that either. (The ER doc supposedly talked to the clinic and arranged for the PIC to be fixed either at the clinic or back at the hospital after Tom's appointment).
When Dr. Alkurdi came in, he recognized us from our previous stay and was very nice. The first question out of Tom's mouth was - how do I get a liver because this isn't working for me (referring to the now 50 lbs of extra fluid). Dr. Alkurdi reviewed all that has happened since we were last at UAB and mentioned a procedure called a Denver Shunt which is like a pump to help get rid of the fluid. It sounds good and is a simple procedure but any foreign object in the body becomes a source of infection so Dr. Alkurdi is going to talk to the transplant team to see what they think. I don't know when that will be or when we will know if it's an option. Since the team meets every Monday afternoon, they might have discussed it yesterday - or, it may have to be added to the agenda ahead of time - who knows? No, I didn't think to ask.
The other "benefit" of the Denver Shunt is that it will increase Tom's INR - which is the lack of blood clotting abilities. Now, this is not exactly a good thing but a higher INR will move him back up the transplant list. The biggest factor on moving up the list is kidney function and Tom's kidney function is great (which we want). So this might be a way to get him back up the list and get a liver sooner. We'll pray about it and wait to hear what they say.
We made it home about 5:30 pm. Once we got unloaded, settled, chased the dogs (I forgot to close the gate), got a couple of new Rx's filled and picked up dinner, it was late which is why you didn't get a post last night. One of the new meds is a different diuretic that Dr. Rutland prescribed. It had to be ordered and did not come in until yesterday. The second Rx is a different med to hopefully help with the nerve pain and numbness Tom still has in his hands and feet - it would be so wonderful to get this issue resolved.
Tom is contacting Dr. Rutland today to see about getting the PIC line fixed and also getting the fluid pulled out of his abdomen. They will have to put him in the hospital for this. He would like to wait a couple of days to see how the new diuretic works - I prefer that he go ahead and get it done so he can get in and out of the hospital sooner. We'll see what the doctor recommends. In the meantime, I am not giving Tom any IV meds.
So, keep checking to find out what happens next!
Tom and I went to Birmingham on Sunday because he didn't want to do the down-and-back in one day - which I totally understand. Birmingham is about 3 hours from our house, so not a bad trip. However, we didn't leave until about 4:30 so I drove most of it in the dark while Tom napped. I made a reservation at the hotel connected to the hospital and requested a handicap room - why, why, why did they put the handicap rooms at the END of the hall?? The only thing handicap about it was a bigger bathroom (which is nice) and all the bars. The bed and all the chairs were still pretty low to the ground and are very difficult for Tom (with extremely swollen legs) to get in and out of.
We were up early Monday, so we got ready to go have a nice breakfast together. It was quite a struggle for me to get Tom out of the chair and I messed up his PIC line which started bleeding (a real setback for my nursing skills). That landed us in the UAB emergency room at 7:30. They looked it over and took Tom to get an ultrasound. I thought we would have plenty of time to get it all fixed and make the doctors appointment on time . . . NOT! At 10:30 they discharged us from the ER. The PIC line was no longer bleeding but the ultrasound had not been read and they couldn't do anything until they knew the status. They put Tom in a wheelchair and pushed him over to the clinic so he could have the necessary labs drawn before seeing the doctor. I think we walked at least a mile to get there. Tom got the labs done and we were over at the doctors waiting room by 11:15. His appointment to see the doctor was at 12:15. I walked back over to the hospital to get us something to eat. They took Tom to the room at 12:30. At 1:15 I opened the door and saw the nurse. She "mentioned" that the doctor usually doesn't get over to the clinic until 1:30. I asked her why they made us an appointment at 12:15 if the doctor didn't get there until 1:30 . . . she shrugged her shoulders. I asked about getting the PIC line fixed - she knew nothing about that either. (The ER doc supposedly talked to the clinic and arranged for the PIC to be fixed either at the clinic or back at the hospital after Tom's appointment).
When Dr. Alkurdi came in, he recognized us from our previous stay and was very nice. The first question out of Tom's mouth was - how do I get a liver because this isn't working for me (referring to the now 50 lbs of extra fluid). Dr. Alkurdi reviewed all that has happened since we were last at UAB and mentioned a procedure called a Denver Shunt which is like a pump to help get rid of the fluid. It sounds good and is a simple procedure but any foreign object in the body becomes a source of infection so Dr. Alkurdi is going to talk to the transplant team to see what they think. I don't know when that will be or when we will know if it's an option. Since the team meets every Monday afternoon, they might have discussed it yesterday - or, it may have to be added to the agenda ahead of time - who knows? No, I didn't think to ask.
The other "benefit" of the Denver Shunt is that it will increase Tom's INR - which is the lack of blood clotting abilities. Now, this is not exactly a good thing but a higher INR will move him back up the transplant list. The biggest factor on moving up the list is kidney function and Tom's kidney function is great (which we want). So this might be a way to get him back up the list and get a liver sooner. We'll pray about it and wait to hear what they say.
We made it home about 5:30 pm. Once we got unloaded, settled, chased the dogs (I forgot to close the gate), got a couple of new Rx's filled and picked up dinner, it was late which is why you didn't get a post last night. One of the new meds is a different diuretic that Dr. Rutland prescribed. It had to be ordered and did not come in until yesterday. The second Rx is a different med to hopefully help with the nerve pain and numbness Tom still has in his hands and feet - it would be so wonderful to get this issue resolved.
Tom is contacting Dr. Rutland today to see about getting the PIC line fixed and also getting the fluid pulled out of his abdomen. They will have to put him in the hospital for this. He would like to wait a couple of days to see how the new diuretic works - I prefer that he go ahead and get it done so he can get in and out of the hospital sooner. We'll see what the doctor recommends. In the meantime, I am not giving Tom any IV meds.
So, keep checking to find out what happens next!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Today's Doctors Appointment
Tom's doctors appointment today went well. Tom still has a lot of fluid so Dr. Rutland has prescribed another diuretic. He is also going to add four more days of IV antibiotics along with the Lasix so that should keep my nursing skills fresh. Tom had blood drawn today and Dr. Rutland said he would send those results to UAB. It will be interesting to see how they compare to Monday's results. The fluid is really bothering Tom and makes it difficult for him to get around. The doctor has requested he stay off his feet as much as possible.
Monday will be a busy day at UAB. Tom will have an ultrasound, get his blood work done and visit with the doctor. It will be good for them to see all of this fluid - I don't know if that will help his cause since they score only on the blood tests. It seems like it should factor in somewhere. Dr. Rutland says he can pull the fluid off but Tom will need to be hospitalized for that so we're going to wait and see how this new med does and also see what UAB says - hopefully UAB won't want to keep him in Birmingham to do the same thing!
Tom's uncle, Bob, has been visiting us. It is so nice to have family in town. It's really good for Tom. Bob wanted a list of things to do but I couldn't really think of anything that didn't involve being outdoors. It is cold, windy and rainy today so Tom suggested he prime a new door we have in the house. I hadn't done anything to it because I wasn't sure if I wanted it stained or painted. I guess we'll be painting it - eventually - once I decide on what the kitchen cabinets and flooring are going to look like.
Please pray that the fluid works its way out of Tom's system.
Monday will be a busy day at UAB. Tom will have an ultrasound, get his blood work done and visit with the doctor. It will be good for them to see all of this fluid - I don't know if that will help his cause since they score only on the blood tests. It seems like it should factor in somewhere. Dr. Rutland says he can pull the fluid off but Tom will need to be hospitalized for that so we're going to wait and see how this new med does and also see what UAB says - hopefully UAB won't want to keep him in Birmingham to do the same thing!
Tom's uncle, Bob, has been visiting us. It is so nice to have family in town. It's really good for Tom. Bob wanted a list of things to do but I couldn't really think of anything that didn't involve being outdoors. It is cold, windy and rainy today so Tom suggested he prime a new door we have in the house. I hadn't done anything to it because I wasn't sure if I wanted it stained or painted. I guess we'll be painting it - eventually - once I decide on what the kitchen cabinets and flooring are going to look like.
Please pray that the fluid works its way out of Tom's system.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
WE SURVIVED
The couch wasn't so comfortable Sunday night so I went to bed with both puppies and a lot of blankets. I set the timer on my phone to go off every 75 minutes and got up to put more wood on the fire. Fortunately I was able to get back to sleep quickly every hour (my shifts staying with Tom in the hospital were good training for that).
The part was installed about 1 pm Monday and all is well! I think Finley is missing the portable heater though, she found a nice spot right in front of it. Fritzi prefers to sit on the fireplace hearth when we have a fire burning - they're so cute!
Tom is doing well. The pain is subsiding but the swelling is still a problem. He called his doctor and asked for IV lasix - which they approved. So, yesterday when I got home from work, I found out the laxix would be delivered last night and I made arrangements to be "trained" on administering it. It is in the same sort of "bubble" as the antibiotic. There are five doses and he will receive it once a day along with a dose of lasix in pill form.
I think today is the last day for the IV antibiotic. Tom goes back to the doctor on Friday so I guess we'll find out then if he needs more.
We thought we had an appointment at the UAB Liver Center next week but after making several calls to confirm, it doesn't appear they need to see us. I don't know why it is all of the sudden so difficult for them to call us back!?! Tom and I would really like to be seen by the docs there but I'm wondering if we have "fallen off their radar" because his MELD score is so low? I'm hoping to hear something from them today.
I'll send another update this weekend after the doctors appointment. Hope everyone is finishing up their Christmas shopping - It's going to be crazy out there this weekend!
The part was installed about 1 pm Monday and all is well! I think Finley is missing the portable heater though, she found a nice spot right in front of it. Fritzi prefers to sit on the fireplace hearth when we have a fire burning - they're so cute!
Tom is doing well. The pain is subsiding but the swelling is still a problem. He called his doctor and asked for IV lasix - which they approved. So, yesterday when I got home from work, I found out the laxix would be delivered last night and I made arrangements to be "trained" on administering it. It is in the same sort of "bubble" as the antibiotic. There are five doses and he will receive it once a day along with a dose of lasix in pill form.
I think today is the last day for the IV antibiotic. Tom goes back to the doctor on Friday so I guess we'll find out then if he needs more.
We thought we had an appointment at the UAB Liver Center next week but after making several calls to confirm, it doesn't appear they need to see us. I don't know why it is all of the sudden so difficult for them to call us back!?! Tom and I would really like to be seen by the docs there but I'm wondering if we have "fallen off their radar" because his MELD score is so low? I'm hoping to hear something from them today.
I'll send another update this weekend after the doctors appointment. Hope everyone is finishing up their Christmas shopping - It's going to be crazy out there this weekend!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
No heat
I know you are anxious to know what is happening at the Murphy's (law) house lately!! It's been pretty cold here and yesterday it seemed that inside the house it just wouldn't warm up. We had started a fire and often the heat will not kick in because the thermostat is right outside the family room. I went on to bed in a very cold bedroom. Several times during the night I woke up and was freezing. I even tried to get the puppies to share their little heating pad! At 4 am I got out of bed to check the thermostat. It was 61 degrees. In the summer, that would be normal for us! Anyway, I messed with the controls and couldn't get the system to kick in. Tom had been sleeping in his chair (normal) and commented that he was cold too even with the electric blanket on high. So, we determined we had a BIG problem. I carried the portable heater down from the bonus room and started another fire, after going out in the 20 degree weather to get firewood. Needless to say, we were all wide awake by this time (4:30 am).
We had breakfast and I grabbed every heated blanket, throw and heating pad we own and piled them in the family room. It was still so cold. The upstairs heat worked fine but Tom can't get up the stairs so that was no good. I, however, went up and took a long, hot shower. I placed a call to the heat/air folks who said they would be out around 3 pm and hauled in the remaining firewood.
Fortunately on Saturday Tom had ordered a load of firewood to be delivered today and we had just enough to make it until the wood was scheduled to arrive. Tom called right when Sunday School ended and said the heat/air folks had arrived. All the way home I prayed that it would be a simple and inexpensive fix - maybe a new thermostat or something. Our downstairs unit is only 4 years old!
The most important prayer was answered - the problem is in some kind of switch that is covered under warranty so it won't cost us anything! Unfortunately they cannot get the part until tomorrow (hopefully). So, the home fires are burning non-stop. I guess I'll be sleeping on the couch so I can keep wood on the fire all night. We are thankful for firewood and electricity!
Other than that, Tom is doing well. His leg is still more swollen than he would like so it's difficult and painful for him to get around. I'm quite impressed with my skill at giving IV meds - Tom even wants to see if he can take the lasix by IV like they were giving him in the hospital because he thinks it works bettere than the tablet version. I doubt that is going to happen! Anyway, I guess I'd better sign off and finish cleaning up the kitchen - need to figure out my sleeping arrangements before I fall asleep standing up!
We had breakfast and I grabbed every heated blanket, throw and heating pad we own and piled them in the family room. It was still so cold. The upstairs heat worked fine but Tom can't get up the stairs so that was no good. I, however, went up and took a long, hot shower. I placed a call to the heat/air folks who said they would be out around 3 pm and hauled in the remaining firewood.
Fortunately on Saturday Tom had ordered a load of firewood to be delivered today and we had just enough to make it until the wood was scheduled to arrive. Tom called right when Sunday School ended and said the heat/air folks had arrived. All the way home I prayed that it would be a simple and inexpensive fix - maybe a new thermostat or something. Our downstairs unit is only 4 years old!
The most important prayer was answered - the problem is in some kind of switch that is covered under warranty so it won't cost us anything! Unfortunately they cannot get the part until tomorrow (hopefully). So, the home fires are burning non-stop. I guess I'll be sleeping on the couch so I can keep wood on the fire all night. We are thankful for firewood and electricity!
Other than that, Tom is doing well. His leg is still more swollen than he would like so it's difficult and painful for him to get around. I'm quite impressed with my skill at giving IV meds - Tom even wants to see if he can take the lasix by IV like they were giving him in the hospital because he thinks it works bettere than the tablet version. I doubt that is going to happen! Anyway, I guess I'd better sign off and finish cleaning up the kitchen - need to figure out my sleeping arrangements before I fall asleep standing up!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
HOME
We made it home about 4 pm yesterday. It took a while to get settled but Tom is doing well. No problems with the first dose of antibiotics at 10 pm. Of course, it was hard to stay awake that long and then I had to wait until it was finished - which was about 11 pm. Finally made it to bed and then the alarm went off at 6 am this morning for the next dose. The home health nurse called shortly after that and is here now. He's spent about 5 minutes checking Tom's BP and temp and the rest of the time filling out paperwork. I would LOVE to make it to the Y this morning but that's not looking good right now. I thought I was going to be able to make a quick trip to the grocery store before my class since we were up so early, but then the home health nurse called.
Tom said his leg is feeling better today. It's still a chore for him to get up and down and then a chore for me to help get him comfortable but that should get better soon.
Dave came over last night and spent some time with Tom. I had hoped to "escape" for a couple of hours but didn't want to leave Dave with the task of serving Tom although he did handle serving him dinner while I went over the inventory of supplies with the IV solutions rep. When we did the practice run at the hospital, I had the medicine, an alcohol wipe, some saline to flush his PIC line and some gloves. You should see all the stuff that arrived last night! There's all kinds of pieces and parts! It seemed so simple at the hospital. Needless to say, all that extra stuff is still in the box. I was particularily interested in the supplies to use in case Tom had an alergic reaction to the IV medicine. I have no idea what to do with it or how to administer it. I probably should have read the directions ahead of time (if there are any) but since he's been taking the medicine all week, I trusted that there would be no reaction - nothing like living on the edge, huh???
We thank you for your continued prayers, e-mails, calls, texts and visits. Please keep praying for Dennis' mom and his family too. She is slightly better.
Tom said his leg is feeling better today. It's still a chore for him to get up and down and then a chore for me to help get him comfortable but that should get better soon.
Dave came over last night and spent some time with Tom. I had hoped to "escape" for a couple of hours but didn't want to leave Dave with the task of serving Tom although he did handle serving him dinner while I went over the inventory of supplies with the IV solutions rep. When we did the practice run at the hospital, I had the medicine, an alcohol wipe, some saline to flush his PIC line and some gloves. You should see all the stuff that arrived last night! There's all kinds of pieces and parts! It seemed so simple at the hospital. Needless to say, all that extra stuff is still in the box. I was particularily interested in the supplies to use in case Tom had an alergic reaction to the IV medicine. I have no idea what to do with it or how to administer it. I probably should have read the directions ahead of time (if there are any) but since he's been taking the medicine all week, I trusted that there would be no reaction - nothing like living on the edge, huh???
We thank you for your continued prayers, e-mails, calls, texts and visits. Please keep praying for Dennis' mom and his family too. She is slightly better.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Going home - eventually
Sometime today Tom will get to leave the hospital. I am waiting to learn a new nursing skill of administering IV antibiotics. Once Tom gets his dose at 2 pm, he will be discharged. He will receive the antibiotic every 8 hours so I will be the one to give him the 10 pm dose since apparently it is difficult to find someone to make house calls that late. I can't imagine they will want to come out at 7 am either so I'll just plan on giving them as needed and hopefully someone can come out mid-day and check my work. It sounds like he will need them for one week.
Our company will not be coming to town this weekend so my co-worker and his family will be attending the Rockettes show tonight.
Toms friend Dave may come visit this evening. If so, I will try to do a bit of Christmas shopping.
Please pray for Tom's friend, Dennis, and his family. Dennis' mother was admitted to ICU last night and has a serious heart condition. She is in a different hospital so we're not able to be with him as he has been for us.
Lesson time, gotta go!
Our company will not be coming to town this weekend so my co-worker and his family will be attending the Rockettes show tonight.
Toms friend Dave may come visit this evening. If so, I will try to do a bit of Christmas shopping.
Please pray for Tom's friend, Dennis, and his family. Dennis' mother was admitted to ICU last night and has a serious heart condition. She is in a different hospital so we're not able to be with him as he has been for us.
Lesson time, gotta go!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Home soon
It looks like Tom will get to go home tomorrow. Dr. Rutland and Dr. Dunn have talked and they are going to go ahead and put a pic line in today and also give Tom a couple of units of blood. They will arrange for home health to give him antibiotics until the infection clears up. Dr. Rutland also mentioned again having the Infectious Disease doc come in a provide his opinion but now that he's made the decision on the pic line and discharge, that may not happen.
So, please pray that Tom will be discharged in the morning and that we will actually get out of here in the morning. We have company coming to town and tickets to see the Rockettes tomorrow night (it's a Christmas tradition - Tom doesn't go) and I really want to go. Otherwise Tom will have to wait until the show is over :-). That's mean, I know!
So, please pray that Tom will be discharged in the morning and that we will actually get out of here in the morning. We have company coming to town and tickets to see the Rockettes tomorrow night (it's a Christmas tradition - Tom doesn't go) and I really want to go. Otherwise Tom will have to wait until the show is over :-). That's mean, I know!
Better and better
I passed Dr. Dunn in the hall this morning and he is very pleased with how Tom is doing. He said the red area on Tom's leg is smaller. He thinks that the medication Tom is taking for the adrenal gland issue has really made a difference in his overall progress.
Breakfast also arrived shortly after I did and it appears to be correct. Maybe we are finally getting somewhere! Tom called me last night and said he "got up and walked around the bed". I asked him if a nurse or tech was there to help him and he said no! Of course that's great news that he was up and also proves how stubborn he is! He said Dr. Dunn seemed to be the only one that was happy about the fact that he got up.
Anyway, Tom mentioned yesterday that they might give him a pic line so that when he goes home, someone could come over and give him antibiotics and blood, if necessary. Maybe that means he will get to go home very soon - surely that will make him happy!?! I can't imagine what a production it would be for him to be given blood at home. It takes two to three people to verify the information each time they give him some, I just envision a bus of nurses arriving at the house with one tiny bag of blood. Maybe he can just get some here before he goes home and then he won't need any for a while. We'll see what Dr. Rutland says today.
Breakfast also arrived shortly after I did and it appears to be correct. Maybe we are finally getting somewhere! Tom called me last night and said he "got up and walked around the bed". I asked him if a nurse or tech was there to help him and he said no! Of course that's great news that he was up and also proves how stubborn he is! He said Dr. Dunn seemed to be the only one that was happy about the fact that he got up.
Anyway, Tom mentioned yesterday that they might give him a pic line so that when he goes home, someone could come over and give him antibiotics and blood, if necessary. Maybe that means he will get to go home very soon - surely that will make him happy!?! I can't imagine what a production it would be for him to be given blood at home. It takes two to three people to verify the information each time they give him some, I just envision a bus of nurses arriving at the house with one tiny bag of blood. Maybe he can just get some here before he goes home and then he won't need any for a while. We'll see what Dr. Rutland says today.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Breakfast woes
I came in this morning to a very, very, very unhappy patient. It seems the new food service here at the hospital messed up again. They sent a breakfast tray he didn't order containing food he was not allowed to eat and would not let him order anything different. His orders have been wrong, late or non-existent since he's been here. Everyone is having trouble and the nurses and techs continue to complain. Obviously they have some kinks to work out. Tom is lashing out at everyone this morning. I even threatened to leave because he was not being cooperative at all. You can't get a straight answer out of him about anything so I can't really report on how he is doing. His leg looks a little better around the calf and ankle but worse up on the thigh. He said it still hurts. The kidney doc said his kidneys still look great. They did an ultrasound on his leg yesterday and didn't find any blood clots so that's good.
Hopefully he'll calm down later this morning. I'm about to run out of battery so I'll sign off for now. Keep praying and say an extra prayers for his nurses today!
Hopefully he'll calm down later this morning. I'm about to run out of battery so I'll sign off for now. Keep praying and say an extra prayers for his nurses today!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
ANOTHER TRIP TO HOSPITAL
I don't even know what number this is!! Tom was admitted to the hospital yesterday morning for an infection in his leg. He had been to the doctor about it on Friday and was given some oral antibiotics. His doctor said if it wasn't better on Monday he would need to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics. It was not better. Tom could barely walk on Monday and there was no way he was going to get out of the house and into either vehicle so I called an ambulance to transport him.
The infection seems to be some type of cellulitis. I asked the doctor how Tom got the infection - was it something he did, ate, went, etc. The doc said no. Tom had been feeling really well so he'd been out and about and doing more at home. He was up on his feet a lot more and his lower legs had started to swell some. The doctor said that when your legs are swollen, the blood cannot circulate as well and it's much easier for an infection to take up residence. Apparently that is what happened. Tom's right leg is very swollen, very red, warm and extremely painful. It wasn't much better this morning so hopefully some more antibiotic will help that quickly. Dr. Rutland has requested an infectious disease specialist to see Tom today so maybe we'll get even more information - better yet - a quicker resolution. Dr. Dunn, the kidney doc, is also checking in on Tom to make sure the antibiotic doesn't upset the kidneys. This morning, they still looked good.
Overall, Tom's blood tests continue to look great. I did call the UAB Liver Center this morning and left a message to let them know Tom was in the hospital here. I just want to make sure they know what is going on. We still have plans to see them on Dec. 21st. If Tom is sick, I'd at least like the blood tests to show that - so he could move back up on the transplant list! At least the leg infection seems to be the only problem so hopefully it can get resolved without any other issues arising.
I am not staying at the hospital - at least so far. I'd like to stay but it is so much easier not to lug my stuff back and forth and worry about care for the puppies. It is more restful too. Tom would like me to stay also but was OK with me going home. Again hopefully the hospital stay won't be but a couple of days.
Tom's friend Dennis came by to visit yesterday. We are so blessed that our friends will drop everything to check on us! It means so much to Tom!
We hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas season and remembering its true meaning - the blessed birth of Christ our Savior. There are many churches offering special services, I encourage you to attend one or more. Christmas music is the most beautiful music!
The infection seems to be some type of cellulitis. I asked the doctor how Tom got the infection - was it something he did, ate, went, etc. The doc said no. Tom had been feeling really well so he'd been out and about and doing more at home. He was up on his feet a lot more and his lower legs had started to swell some. The doctor said that when your legs are swollen, the blood cannot circulate as well and it's much easier for an infection to take up residence. Apparently that is what happened. Tom's right leg is very swollen, very red, warm and extremely painful. It wasn't much better this morning so hopefully some more antibiotic will help that quickly. Dr. Rutland has requested an infectious disease specialist to see Tom today so maybe we'll get even more information - better yet - a quicker resolution. Dr. Dunn, the kidney doc, is also checking in on Tom to make sure the antibiotic doesn't upset the kidneys. This morning, they still looked good.
Overall, Tom's blood tests continue to look great. I did call the UAB Liver Center this morning and left a message to let them know Tom was in the hospital here. I just want to make sure they know what is going on. We still have plans to see them on Dec. 21st. If Tom is sick, I'd at least like the blood tests to show that - so he could move back up on the transplant list! At least the leg infection seems to be the only problem so hopefully it can get resolved without any other issues arising.
I am not staying at the hospital - at least so far. I'd like to stay but it is so much easier not to lug my stuff back and forth and worry about care for the puppies. It is more restful too. Tom would like me to stay also but was OK with me going home. Again hopefully the hospital stay won't be but a couple of days.
Tom's friend Dennis came by to visit yesterday. We are so blessed that our friends will drop everything to check on us! It means so much to Tom!
We hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas season and remembering its true meaning - the blessed birth of Christ our Savior. There are many churches offering special services, I encourage you to attend one or more. Christmas music is the most beautiful music!
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