TUESDAY EVENING 10/30 day 49
Today Jeff's hemoglobin was 8.6 this morning and this afternoon it was 9.1. Praise the Lord. He did not have to be given any blood today. He was awake most of the day and he wanted to know what has happened to him. The medication they give him makes him forget most of what has happened so I constantly have to remind him. He has a VAC dressing change scheduled for tomorrow at 5:00. Please pray that all goes well with this one. I keep remembering what happened last Wednesday and I get scared. My prayer is that he will have no set backs. I want him to get well enough to get the VAC dressing out so he can begin physical therapy. He has developed foot drop.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Day 48
MONDAY EVENING 10/29
Yesterday Jeff did not need anymore blood even though his hemoglobin fell from the post surgery (given blood after surgery) of 9.2 to 8.5. However this morning his hemoglobin fell to 7.5. They gave him another 2 units of blood and 2 units of plasma. On a good note the nurse had him on the lowest dose of his blood pressure medication and even turned it off for a period of time and his blood pressure held. He is having back pain from lying in the bed for so long and he is also getting more and more depressed. He is so touched by all the cards he is receiving. Pray that his stomach starts working and the ulcers stop bleeding.
Yesterday Jeff did not need anymore blood even though his hemoglobin fell from the post surgery (given blood after surgery) of 9.2 to 8.5. However this morning his hemoglobin fell to 7.5. They gave him another 2 units of blood and 2 units of plasma. On a good note the nurse had him on the lowest dose of his blood pressure medication and even turned it off for a period of time and his blood pressure held. He is having back pain from lying in the bed for so long and he is also getting more and more depressed. He is so touched by all the cards he is receiving. Pray that his stomach starts working and the ulcers stop bleeding.
Day 48
MONDAY EVENING 10/29
Yesterday Jeff did not need anymore blood even though his hemoglobin fell from the post surgery (given blood after surgery) of 9.2 to 8.5. However this morning his hemoglobin fell to 7.5. They gave him another 2 units of blood and 2 units of plasma. On a good note the nurse had him on the lowest dose of his blood pressure medication and even turned it off for a period of time and his blood pressure held. He is having back pain from lying in the bed for so long and he is also getting more and more depressed. He is so touched by all the cards he is receiving. Pray that his stomach starts working and the ulcers stop bleeding.
Yesterday Jeff did not need anymore blood even though his hemoglobin fell from the post surgery (given blood after surgery) of 9.2 to 8.5. However this morning his hemoglobin fell to 7.5. They gave him another 2 units of blood and 2 units of plasma. On a good note the nurse had him on the lowest dose of his blood pressure medication and even turned it off for a period of time and his blood pressure held. He is having back pain from lying in the bed for so long and he is also getting more and more depressed. He is so touched by all the cards he is receiving. Pray that his stomach starts working and the ulcers stop bleeding.
Day 47
SATURDAY EVENING 10/27
Before I went to bed last night I called the hospital and Jeff needed to get blood. This morning when I called at 6 am his nurse told me that Jeff had to receive more blood overnight. Total he had to get 4 units of blood and 3 units of frozen plasma. He was bleeding and had to taken back into surgery. When they got into the operating room and took out his VAC dressing they found a clot and some blood. They cleaned the area and looked for bleeding. They waited and he never bleed anymore. The surgeon said that sometimes happens after a surgery (he had that surgery on Wednesday night). I believe that God stopped the bleeding. We all stood around his bed for 3 hours this morning and prayed. Last night and this morning he is in so much pain. After surgery he was not in any pain. His vitals are good and his nurses were pleased at how he is doing. He is still in critical condition but he is now stable.
Before I went to bed last night I called the hospital and Jeff needed to get blood. This morning when I called at 6 am his nurse told me that Jeff had to receive more blood overnight. Total he had to get 4 units of blood and 3 units of frozen plasma. He was bleeding and had to taken back into surgery. When they got into the operating room and took out his VAC dressing they found a clot and some blood. They cleaned the area and looked for bleeding. They waited and he never bleed anymore. The surgeon said that sometimes happens after a surgery (he had that surgery on Wednesday night). I believe that God stopped the bleeding. We all stood around his bed for 3 hours this morning and prayed. Last night and this morning he is in so much pain. After surgery he was not in any pain. His vitals are good and his nurses were pleased at how he is doing. He is still in critical condition but he is now stable.
Day 46
FRIDAY EVENING 10/26
there is not a lot of change in Jeff's health today. The day nurse thought he heard belly sounds and was very optimistic. His night nurse said she did not hear any sounds but she did not expect to hear any sounds. Jeff is very depressed and I am afraid he is going to give up soon.
there is not a lot of change in Jeff's health today. The day nurse thought he heard belly sounds and was very optimistic. His night nurse said she did not hear any sounds but she did not expect to hear any sounds. Jeff is very depressed and I am afraid he is going to give up soon.
Day 45
THURSDAY EVENING 10/25
Jeff had surgery on Wednesday afternoon. It was supposed to be a quick surgery. Go in change VAC dressing and out. No ventilator. Things did not go well. What was supposed to be a 30 minute procedure ended up being a 2 1/2 hour surgery. The surgeon came out and told us he wished he had good news. When he took out the VAC dressing he saw that part of the duodenum and part of the jejunum had died.( the first two parts of the small intestines) When the doctor touched the necrotic part of the bowels Jeff's blood pressure dropped and his heart rate went through the roof. His blood sugar also dropped. The release of poison to Jeff's system made his blood acidic. The anesthesiologist came to see me after his surgery and told me that they almost lost Jeff. She said that it was nothing they did and that God saved Jeff.
Today the doctors are more optimistic, they think that this is what he
needed to have done. Today is the first day that the drainage from his NG tube has not been bloody. Jeff is scheduled for surgery again on Monday afternoon.(they are going back in to check the area and change the VAC dressing.)
Jeff had surgery on Wednesday afternoon. It was supposed to be a quick surgery. Go in change VAC dressing and out. No ventilator. Things did not go well. What was supposed to be a 30 minute procedure ended up being a 2 1/2 hour surgery. The surgeon came out and told us he wished he had good news. When he took out the VAC dressing he saw that part of the duodenum and part of the jejunum had died.( the first two parts of the small intestines) When the doctor touched the necrotic part of the bowels Jeff's blood pressure dropped and his heart rate went through the roof. His blood sugar also dropped. The release of poison to Jeff's system made his blood acidic. The anesthesiologist came to see me after his surgery and told me that they almost lost Jeff. She said that it was nothing they did and that God saved Jeff.
Today the doctors are more optimistic, they think that this is what he
needed to have done. Today is the first day that the drainage from his NG tube has not been bloody. Jeff is scheduled for surgery again on Monday afternoon.(they are going back in to check the area and change the VAC dressing.)
Day 43
TUESDAY EVENING 10/23
Jeff is still off the ventilator and did not need dialysis today.
However he is still bleeding in his stomach. His hemoglobin was low on
Tuesday morning and then was even lower in the afternoon. The doctor
decided to not give him any blood today and to wait until Wednesday
morning to test again and see how his levels were. He has needed
blood every two to three days. Pray that he stops bleeding in his
stomach and the swelling goes down. He is scheduled for surgery on
Wednesday afternoon at 5:00. They are going to change out his wound
VAC and he will need surgery in three or four more days.
Jeff is still off the ventilator and did not need dialysis today.
However he is still bleeding in his stomach. His hemoglobin was low on
Tuesday morning and then was even lower in the afternoon. The doctor
decided to not give him any blood today and to wait until Wednesday
morning to test again and see how his levels were. He has needed
blood every two to three days. Pray that he stops bleeding in his
stomach and the swelling goes down. He is scheduled for surgery on
Wednesday afternoon at 5:00. They are going to change out his wound
VAC and he will need surgery in three or four more days.
Day 42
MONDAY EVENING 10/22
The surgeon and the pulmonologist decided to take Jeff off the ventilator today. He is BREATHING ON HIS OWN. They also took the two tubes out of his mouth that were draining his stomach and put a tube back in his nose. He can now talk to us. His throat hurts from having the ventilator tube in so long.
His stomach is still terribly swollen. They probably will not be able to close his incision when they take him to surgery on Wednesday. We are praying that the swelling in his stomach and intestines will go down so they are able to but we are not getting our hopes up. He will probably still have the wound VAC to drain the area.
His kidneys are producing urine but his BUN and creatine levels are not where they need to be. His blood sugar is all over the place so he has an insulin drip.
He is making improvements but he is a long way from being able to leave the hospital. Please continue to pray for healing.
We do appreciate all the cards we have received. It really touches his heart that people he does not know care enough to send him a card. Thanks to all the Peas for their support.
The surgeon and the pulmonologist decided to take Jeff off the ventilator today. He is BREATHING ON HIS OWN. They also took the two tubes out of his mouth that were draining his stomach and put a tube back in his nose. He can now talk to us. His throat hurts from having the ventilator tube in so long.
His stomach is still terribly swollen. They probably will not be able to close his incision when they take him to surgery on Wednesday. We are praying that the swelling in his stomach and intestines will go down so they are able to but we are not getting our hopes up. He will probably still have the wound VAC to drain the area.
His kidneys are producing urine but his BUN and creatine levels are not where they need to be. His blood sugar is all over the place so he has an insulin drip.
He is making improvements but he is a long way from being able to leave the hospital. Please continue to pray for healing.
We do appreciate all the cards we have received. It really touches his heart that people he does not know care enough to send him a card. Thanks to all the Peas for their support.
Day 41
SUNDAY EVENING 10/21
Jeff had to have surgery again on Saturday and we were hoping that they could close the incision. He has another wound VAC, so he is still on the ventilator. He could probably be off the ventilator but because he has to have surgery again on Tuesday or Wednesday they will not take him off the ventilator. On Friday they took him off the 24 hour a day dialysis and has not had to have a dialysis treatment since then. They said he might have to have a treatment tomorrow. His kidneys are working better. He is able to point to letters on a board to communicate with me. His stomach and bowels are still not working. When they took him to surgery on Saturday it was to see if there was any bleeding. They did not find any blood. The surgeon said everything looked pink and healthy. The ulcers in his stomach must be bleeding because the OG tube is still getting a lot of blood out. They say it looks like old blood, but he had to have 2 more units of blood today.
Jeff had to have surgery again on Saturday and we were hoping that they could close the incision. He has another wound VAC, so he is still on the ventilator. He could probably be off the ventilator but because he has to have surgery again on Tuesday or Wednesday they will not take him off the ventilator. On Friday they took him off the 24 hour a day dialysis and has not had to have a dialysis treatment since then. They said he might have to have a treatment tomorrow. His kidneys are working better. He is able to point to letters on a board to communicate with me. His stomach and bowels are still not working. When they took him to surgery on Saturday it was to see if there was any bleeding. They did not find any blood. The surgeon said everything looked pink and healthy. The ulcers in his stomach must be bleeding because the OG tube is still getting a lot of blood out. They say it looks like old blood, but he had to have 2 more units of blood today.
Day 37
WEDNESDAY EVENING October 17
Another long, sad day at the hospital- Jeff was awake a couple of times and acknowledged that I was there. He even tried to smile at me. His oxygen level keeps going up and down. When the surgeon talked to me this morning he said that when they did the surgery on Tuesday that everything looked viable. They put another VAC dressing on and closed the opening from 13 cm to 5 cm. On Friday they are going to operate again and do exploratory abdominal surgery and close the incision. He has some fluid and congestion in his right lung. They are giving him breathing treatments to loosen the congestion.
Another long, sad day at the hospital- Jeff was awake a couple of times and acknowledged that I was there. He even tried to smile at me. His oxygen level keeps going up and down. When the surgeon talked to me this morning he said that when they did the surgery on Tuesday that everything looked viable. They put another VAC dressing on and closed the opening from 13 cm to 5 cm. On Friday they are going to operate again and do exploratory abdominal surgery and close the incision. He has some fluid and congestion in his right lung. They are giving him breathing treatments to loosen the congestion.
Day 36
TUESDAY MORNING October 16
Jeff held stable last night. He has surgery scheduled for 12:30 to change the vac dressing and clean the area. His blood pressure is holding and his heart is staying in a sinus rhythm (with the help of medications) He is very tired. His stomach is completely ulcerated on the inside. His acid reflux and GERD was so bad that it destroyed his stomach. He had been two different doctors in the month before this happened and told him he was having acid problems and they told him that it was all in his head.
Pray for strength for him. Pray that his body begins to heal.
To the person that told me to send him to the Cleveland Clinic. (1) he is not strong enough to make the trip. (2) he went to the Cleveland Clinic a few years ago for his acid symptoms and they would not treat him. (3) I feel that he is getting the best possible care here at Lutheran Hospital. I appreciate your concerns and your prayers but he would not be able to make a trip. When someone is as sick as he his the last place you want them is in an emergency vehicle.
Jeff held stable last night. He has surgery scheduled for 12:30 to change the vac dressing and clean the area. His blood pressure is holding and his heart is staying in a sinus rhythm (with the help of medications) He is very tired. His stomach is completely ulcerated on the inside. His acid reflux and GERD was so bad that it destroyed his stomach. He had been two different doctors in the month before this happened and told him he was having acid problems and they told him that it was all in his head.
Pray for strength for him. Pray that his body begins to heal.
To the person that told me to send him to the Cleveland Clinic. (1) he is not strong enough to make the trip. (2) he went to the Cleveland Clinic a few years ago for his acid symptoms and they would not treat him. (3) I feel that he is getting the best possible care here at Lutheran Hospital. I appreciate your concerns and your prayers but he would not be able to make a trip. When someone is as sick as he his the last place you want them is in an emergency vehicle.
Day 35
MONDAY MORNING October 15 day 35
Jeff had a rough night. He had issues with his lungs and lots of bleeding from his stomach. They are going to scope his stomach at 9:00 am. He will more than likely have a bronchectomy. Please pray that all goes well. I feel sick in my heart. I just want him to start getting better and continue getting better.
MONDAY MORNING October 15
They did the scope and found a huge blood clot at the sight of the ulcers. They cannot remove the clot because it would cause uncontrollable bleeding. The surgeon said that there was nothing they could do surgically to repair this. They have called radiology to do an angiogram to see if they can find the source of the bleeding and embolize it to stop the bleeding. The doctors say they have never seen anything this serious.
Pray that they can find the source of the bleeding and he can heal. Tomorrow is my son's birthday. He only wants to see his father on his birthday.
MONDAY AFTERNOON October 15
Jeff went in for an arterialgram this afternoon to see if they could find the source of the bleeding. The radiologist said that they injected the dye into his arteries. There was no active bleeding at the time but they know which artery feeds the duodenum (where the blood clot was found). He packed the artery with coils to hopefully stop the blood flow to the area.
He is scheduled to have another procedure in the morning but we do not know what time. I have not been able to see him since he got back to his room.
Jeff had a rough night. He had issues with his lungs and lots of bleeding from his stomach. They are going to scope his stomach at 9:00 am. He will more than likely have a bronchectomy. Please pray that all goes well. I feel sick in my heart. I just want him to start getting better and continue getting better.
MONDAY MORNING October 15
They did the scope and found a huge blood clot at the sight of the ulcers. They cannot remove the clot because it would cause uncontrollable bleeding. The surgeon said that there was nothing they could do surgically to repair this. They have called radiology to do an angiogram to see if they can find the source of the bleeding and embolize it to stop the bleeding. The doctors say they have never seen anything this serious.
Pray that they can find the source of the bleeding and he can heal. Tomorrow is my son's birthday. He only wants to see his father on his birthday.
MONDAY AFTERNOON October 15
Jeff went in for an arterialgram this afternoon to see if they could find the source of the bleeding. The radiologist said that they injected the dye into his arteries. There was no active bleeding at the time but they know which artery feeds the duodenum (where the blood clot was found). He packed the artery with coils to hopefully stop the blood flow to the area.
He is scheduled to have another procedure in the morning but we do not know what time. I have not been able to see him since he got back to his room.
Day 34
SUNDAY AFTERNOON October 14
They keep reminding me how sick he is and that he is critical stable (I focus more on the stable part. Today they got him off all his blood pressure medications. (he had been on three pressers) His heart is now in a regular sinus rhythm with the help of heart medication. He is having some issues with his lungs from having to lie in bed all the time. The chest x-ray they took this morning showed some problems with the lungs but they did another x-ray and his lungs looked better.
He was semi alert for about 45 minutes and we were able to talk to him and he would blink his eyes to answer us. He is still on the ventilator and will be until at least his next surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday.
They keep reminding me how sick he is and that he is critical stable (I focus more on the stable part. Today they got him off all his blood pressure medications. (he had been on three pressers) His heart is now in a regular sinus rhythm with the help of heart medication. He is having some issues with his lungs from having to lie in bed all the time. The chest x-ray they took this morning showed some problems with the lungs but they did another x-ray and his lungs looked better.
He was semi alert for about 45 minutes and we were able to talk to him and he would blink his eyes to answer us. He is still on the ventilator and will be until at least his next surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Day 33
SATURDAY EVENING- October 13
Jeff went into surgery at 1:30. The doctor they called in to do the surgery usually works at a different hospital in this town but we were told by the nurses that he was the best. Before they took him back the doctor told us that they were going to clean the area and check the damage and look to see if there was any more damage. He told us that this would not be his last surgery and he would probably need several more surgeries before this was all over.
Here comes the good part. At 2:30 the surgeon came out and said that they cleaned the area. He left the incision open and put a vacuum dressing on the wound with a drainage tube to drain the wound. My pastor's wife asked him about the dead tissue in the stomach and bowels. THEN THE DOCTOR SAID THERE WAS NO DEAD TISSUE. He said that there were areas that looked like they was an infection and the areas that had perforated and been repaired. He also said that the stomach is still very distended and the small intestines are inflamed.Jeff will go back into surgery in 3 or 4 days and they will remove the vacuum dressing and see if the stomach had improved.
He is still very sick but this the first time I have had good news. He is on 11 medications, TPN (total parental nutrition for food through a PIC line), and a saline drip. He also is doing dialysis for 24 hours a day. They are keeping him heavily sedated because of the pain of the open incision.
Jeff went into surgery at 1:30. The doctor they called in to do the surgery usually works at a different hospital in this town but we were told by the nurses that he was the best. Before they took him back the doctor told us that they were going to clean the area and check the damage and look to see if there was any more damage. He told us that this would not be his last surgery and he would probably need several more surgeries before this was all over.
Here comes the good part. At 2:30 the surgeon came out and said that they cleaned the area. He left the incision open and put a vacuum dressing on the wound with a drainage tube to drain the wound. My pastor's wife asked him about the dead tissue in the stomach and bowels. THEN THE DOCTOR SAID THERE WAS NO DEAD TISSUE. He said that there were areas that looked like they was an infection and the areas that had perforated and been repaired. He also said that the stomach is still very distended and the small intestines are inflamed.Jeff will go back into surgery in 3 or 4 days and they will remove the vacuum dressing and see if the stomach had improved.
He is still very sick but this the first time I have had good news. He is on 11 medications, TPN (total parental nutrition for food through a PIC line), and a saline drip. He also is doing dialysis for 24 hours a day. They are keeping him heavily sedated because of the pain of the open incision.
Day 32
FRIDAY October 12, 2007
On Thursday Jeff felt weaker than usual. He was coughing up blood and passed out the one time he tried to stand up. When I left to go to my son's football game they told me his pressure was low but it was nothing to worry about. I have an hour drive home and was late for son's game. I had only been back intown 45 minutes when they called me and told me they were moving him to ICU on the third floor. I called my pastor to get the prayer chain going and called one of my best friends to sit with me at the hospital. I left my kids with my parents for the night.
By the time I got to the hospital Jeff was in very bad shape. His blood pressure was 50/38. They told me they were going to re-intubate him. I was allowed to see him for 5 minutes and had to leave the room. After they intubated him they called me and my pastor back into the room and we got to stay with him until they took him to surgery. He had lots of blood coming from his NG tube and they needed to open him up to look and see where it was coming from. The surgeon told me they could now guarantee that he would make it out of surgery. They found a blood clot that was blocking his small intestines. The surgeon said that he could not do any repairs and would have one of his partners work with him on Saturday to try to clean up his small bowel area and see what could be done. God brought him through and yesterday he seemed peaceful and was alert and talking to us (using an alphabet sheet). He is strong and wants to make it out of here. He has surgery at 1:30.
Please pray for the surgeons to have the wisdom and the knowledge to repair his small bowels and that Jeff will make it through all of this and be home with us soon.
A family at my church got me a room at a hotel down the street so I did not have to drive an hour home and then an hour back this morning. I went almost 48 hours without sleep and am exhausted. My parents stayed with me and friends have our kids. My dad brought my laptop so I could keep my self distracted.
On Thursday Jeff felt weaker than usual. He was coughing up blood and passed out the one time he tried to stand up. When I left to go to my son's football game they told me his pressure was low but it was nothing to worry about. I have an hour drive home and was late for son's game. I had only been back intown 45 minutes when they called me and told me they were moving him to ICU on the third floor. I called my pastor to get the prayer chain going and called one of my best friends to sit with me at the hospital. I left my kids with my parents for the night.
By the time I got to the hospital Jeff was in very bad shape. His blood pressure was 50/38. They told me they were going to re-intubate him. I was allowed to see him for 5 minutes and had to leave the room. After they intubated him they called me and my pastor back into the room and we got to stay with him until they took him to surgery. He had lots of blood coming from his NG tube and they needed to open him up to look and see where it was coming from. The surgeon told me they could now guarantee that he would make it out of surgery. They found a blood clot that was blocking his small intestines. The surgeon said that he could not do any repairs and would have one of his partners work with him on Saturday to try to clean up his small bowel area and see what could be done. God brought him through and yesterday he seemed peaceful and was alert and talking to us (using an alphabet sheet). He is strong and wants to make it out of here. He has surgery at 1:30.
Please pray for the surgeons to have the wisdom and the knowledge to repair his small bowels and that Jeff will make it through all of this and be home with us soon.
A family at my church got me a room at a hotel down the street so I did not have to drive an hour home and then an hour back this morning. I went almost 48 hours without sleep and am exhausted. My parents stayed with me and friends have our kids. My dad brought my laptop so I could keep my self distracted.
Day 30
WEDNESDAY EVENING OCTOBER 10, 2007
Today was another very rough day for Jeff. Overnight Tuesday night he was sick on his stomach throwing up blood. The NG tube also suctioned out a large amount of blood. The doctor called for a MRA this morning so when we arrived at the hospital he was in radiology. As soon as he got back they had to send him to dialysis for 5 hours to clean the dye from his blood since his kidneys are not working. His urine output decreased today. A doctor never spoke to me all day long. I am not allowed to sit with him during dialysis so I missed the only doctor that spoke to him. The infectious disease doctor told him that she and the other doctors are meeting to come up with a new plan of treatment. They will then meet with me and Jeff. I have asked my parents to be there also. I want someone to hear with a clearer head than I have right now. The nurse would not give me the results of the biopsy or the MRA. She said that the doctor would give me the results.
Today was another very rough day for Jeff. Overnight Tuesday night he was sick on his stomach throwing up blood. The NG tube also suctioned out a large amount of blood. The doctor called for a MRA this morning so when we arrived at the hospital he was in radiology. As soon as he got back they had to send him to dialysis for 5 hours to clean the dye from his blood since his kidneys are not working. His urine output decreased today. A doctor never spoke to me all day long. I am not allowed to sit with him during dialysis so I missed the only doctor that spoke to him. The infectious disease doctor told him that she and the other doctors are meeting to come up with a new plan of treatment. They will then meet with me and Jeff. I have asked my parents to be there also. I want someone to hear with a clearer head than I have right now. The nurse would not give me the results of the biopsy or the MRA. She said that the doctor would give me the results.
Day 28
MONDAY EVENING OCTOBER 8, 2007
Today was not a good day for his spirits. The doctor took away his ice chips today and will not let him swish water in his mouth and spit it out. I know it sounds gross and weird but it was one of the few things that made all this tolerable for him. They are going to scope him again in the morning to see if the stomach still looks necrotic. They have also tried turning the suction off on his NG tube and after about 3 hours off he begins to get nauseous. Tonight is going to be a long night for him.
Today was not a good day for his spirits. The doctor took away his ice chips today and will not let him swish water in his mouth and spit it out. I know it sounds gross and weird but it was one of the few things that made all this tolerable for him. They are going to scope him again in the morning to see if the stomach still looks necrotic. They have also tried turning the suction off on his NG tube and after about 3 hours off he begins to get nauseous. Tonight is going to be a long night for him.
Day 27
SUNDAY EVENING OCTOBER 7, 2007
What a difference a day makes. As soon as I arrived at the hospital he wanted to get out of bed and for me to give him his bath. Before I could get the nurse in the room to help me move him to the chair his kidney doctor came in. He seemed very optimistic today. His output has greatly improved and the doctor said quantity comes first and then quality second. That was good news. He still has a lot of bloody drainage coming from his stomach and cannot wait to get the NG tube out. The surgeon said that he thought he heard very faint belly sounds. that is the first time he has said he heard anything. I only got to stay until 2:30 because my son had a ball game and my daughter cheers for the team and I have only gone to one game because of Jeff being in the hospital. After I left he did have visitors, my friend that directs our Boychoir stopped by to visit and our friends that we shared a beach house with this summer went to visit him. My sister and her husband are in town to visit so they left my kid's ballgame early and went to visit him and called on their way home and said that they even got him to laugh. (Today he had wonderful nurses. I truly believe that the attitude of the nurses makes a difference in how he feels)
What a difference a day makes. As soon as I arrived at the hospital he wanted to get out of bed and for me to give him his bath. Before I could get the nurse in the room to help me move him to the chair his kidney doctor came in. He seemed very optimistic today. His output has greatly improved and the doctor said quantity comes first and then quality second. That was good news. He still has a lot of bloody drainage coming from his stomach and cannot wait to get the NG tube out. The surgeon said that he thought he heard very faint belly sounds. that is the first time he has said he heard anything. I only got to stay until 2:30 because my son had a ball game and my daughter cheers for the team and I have only gone to one game because of Jeff being in the hospital. After I left he did have visitors, my friend that directs our Boychoir stopped by to visit and our friends that we shared a beach house with this summer went to visit him. My sister and her husband are in town to visit so they left my kid's ballgame early and went to visit him and called on their way home and said that they even got him to laugh. (Today he had wonderful nurses. I truly believe that the attitude of the nurses makes a difference in how he feels)
Day 26
SATURDAY EVENING OCTOBER 6, 2007
No improvements today. The doctor made my husband very mad by telling him not to buy any lottery tickets. We have no clue what he meant by that. I was not there when he said that or I would have probably yelled at him.
No improvements today. The doctor made my husband very mad by telling him not to buy any lottery tickets. We have no clue what he meant by that. I was not there when he said that or I would have probably yelled at him.
Day 22
FRIDAY OCTOBER 5, 2007
Today Jeff had a perm-cath inserted for long term dialysis. This procedure had to be done under conscious sedation. He did well with his physical therapy and walked using a walker about 67 feet. (that is what the physical therapist said to me it seemed more like 45 feet) He sat up in a chair for about 1 hour after therapy.
The heart doctor said that there were basically no changes. The lung doctor said everything looked good. The gastrointestinal doctor said that a large portion of his stomach was necrotic. Which basically means that the lining of the stomach is dead tissue. He also said that part of the small bowel is necrotic. He said that the surgeons want to treat this by using medication to keep the acid level in his stomach down and using medication to stimulate activity in the stomach and bowels. If his stomach does not heal then he will lose a large portion of this stomach.
Today Jeff had a perm-cath inserted for long term dialysis. This procedure had to be done under conscious sedation. He did well with his physical therapy and walked using a walker about 67 feet. (that is what the physical therapist said to me it seemed more like 45 feet) He sat up in a chair for about 1 hour after therapy.
The heart doctor said that there were basically no changes. The lung doctor said everything looked good. The gastrointestinal doctor said that a large portion of his stomach was necrotic. Which basically means that the lining of the stomach is dead tissue. He also said that part of the small bowel is necrotic. He said that the surgeons want to treat this by using medication to keep the acid level in his stomach down and using medication to stimulate activity in the stomach and bowels. If his stomach does not heal then he will lose a large portion of this stomach.
Day 21
THURSDAY October 4, 2007
Jeff had another dialysis treatment today. Dialysis makes him so tired so he was ready to get back bed when it was over. As soon as we got him back in his bed, the physical therapist came in to do his therapy. He walked 11 feet from his bed and out the door and then 8 feet back to his chair. This was a huge accomplishment for him. As soon as we got him back in the bed after therapy radiology came in to take him for an x-ray of is abdomen.
The kidney doctor said that it could take two months for his kidneys to start working. The infectious disease doctor said that part of his stomach has died and he had to remain on antibiotics to keep infections away. From what I understand, if his stomach does not heal they will have to do surgery to remove that part.
He is beginning to look very gaunt and more tired. He tries very hard to keep his spirits up and appreciates all the prayers. He finds comfort in me reading the scriptures to him and praying with him.
Jeff had another dialysis treatment today. Dialysis makes him so tired so he was ready to get back bed when it was over. As soon as we got him back in his bed, the physical therapist came in to do his therapy. He walked 11 feet from his bed and out the door and then 8 feet back to his chair. This was a huge accomplishment for him. As soon as we got him back in the bed after therapy radiology came in to take him for an x-ray of is abdomen.
The kidney doctor said that it could take two months for his kidneys to start working. The infectious disease doctor said that part of his stomach has died and he had to remain on antibiotics to keep infections away. From what I understand, if his stomach does not heal they will have to do surgery to remove that part.
He is beginning to look very gaunt and more tired. He tries very hard to keep his spirits up and appreciates all the prayers. He finds comfort in me reading the scriptures to him and praying with him.
Day 20
WEDNESDAY EVENING 10/3 Day 20
I am sorry that I did not update last night. I was so tired when I got home from the hospital that I went straight to bed. My doctor put me on three different things for my nerves so I was able to sleep for 6 straight hours.
He is now on the Telemetry floor so they can monitor his heart. He is still in atrial fibrillation. Even with the medication they are giving him it is not going into a regular sinus rhythm. The heart doctor says that we will just watch it and keep him on medication.
The kidney doctor made rounds before I got to the hospital so I did not get to speak with him. My husband told me that the kidney doctor said that he still has a 50/50 chance of his kidneys improving and getting better.
The gastrointestinal doctor said that from the scope that was done last week that the inside of part of his stomach looked really bad (they did not tell me that last week) He said that with the medication he is on it should just take time. How much time he could not say. He told us it could be a couple of days, a couple of weeks, and maybe even a couple of months. He also said that if the stomach does not heal that they might have to do surgery to cut out that part of his stomach. This will be a last resort.
His spirits are so low right now. He just thanks me over and over for being there with him. I love him so much I could not imagine not being there with him as much as possible.
I am sorry that I did not update last night. I was so tired when I got home from the hospital that I went straight to bed. My doctor put me on three different things for my nerves so I was able to sleep for 6 straight hours.
He is now on the Telemetry floor so they can monitor his heart. He is still in atrial fibrillation. Even with the medication they are giving him it is not going into a regular sinus rhythm. The heart doctor says that we will just watch it and keep him on medication.
The kidney doctor made rounds before I got to the hospital so I did not get to speak with him. My husband told me that the kidney doctor said that he still has a 50/50 chance of his kidneys improving and getting better.
The gastrointestinal doctor said that from the scope that was done last week that the inside of part of his stomach looked really bad (they did not tell me that last week) He said that with the medication he is on it should just take time. How much time he could not say. He told us it could be a couple of days, a couple of weeks, and maybe even a couple of months. He also said that if the stomach does not heal that they might have to do surgery to cut out that part of his stomach. This will be a last resort.
His spirits are so low right now. He just thanks me over and over for being there with him. I love him so much I could not imagine not being there with him as much as possible.
Day 18
MONDAY EVENING 10/1
When I arrived at the hospital this morning they said that they thought he might get to move to a regular room and out of ICU. By 2:00 pm they told us it would not happen. His heart will not go into a regular sinus rhythm. It is staying in atrial fibrillation. They put him back on the drip for his heart. He is still very confused and the infectious disease doctor told me again today that someone does not come that close to death and come through unscathed. His kidneys are not making any progress and his bowels are still not working.
When I arrived at the hospital this morning they said that they thought he might get to move to a regular room and out of ICU. By 2:00 pm they told us it would not happen. His heart will not go into a regular sinus rhythm. It is staying in atrial fibrillation. They put him back on the drip for his heart. He is still very confused and the infectious disease doctor told me again today that someone does not come that close to death and come through unscathed. His kidneys are not making any progress and his bowels are still not working.
Day 17
SUNDAY EVENING- 9/30/07
When we arrived at the hospital this morning he had three nurses working around him so I was a little scared. When they let us in the room we found out that, they had taken out his staples today per doctor�s orders. Within an hour of removing the staples he coughed and his incision split open abut 5 inches. They had to call the surgeon in to stitch him up.
His white cell count was higher today than yesterday. His BUN and creatinine levels were better than yesterday but still very high. He will get dialysis tomorrow. He was very confused today.
Late Evening
I just called the hospital and he pulled out his NG tube. I had a feeling he would do that after we left. He also kept pulling off his oxygen. His heart rate dropped and they had to take him off of his heart medication. He is now back in the irregular heart rate pattern. They left the NG tube out but will probably have to re-insert. They had to put him back on his oxygen because he got short of breath.
When we arrived at the hospital this morning he had three nurses working around him so I was a little scared. When they let us in the room we found out that, they had taken out his staples today per doctor�s orders. Within an hour of removing the staples he coughed and his incision split open abut 5 inches. They had to call the surgeon in to stitch him up.
His white cell count was higher today than yesterday. His BUN and creatinine levels were better than yesterday but still very high. He will get dialysis tomorrow. He was very confused today.
Late Evening
I just called the hospital and he pulled out his NG tube. I had a feeling he would do that after we left. He also kept pulling off his oxygen. His heart rate dropped and they had to take him off of his heart medication. He is now back in the irregular heart rate pattern. They left the NG tube out but will probably have to re-insert. They had to put him back on his oxygen because he got short of breath.
Day 17
Saturday 9/29
We had another good day today. Jeff was very alert and was able to communicate with us. I even got to wash his hair today. This made him very happy. His hemoglobin levels were low but not low enough for him to need more blood. His creatinine and BUN levels were very elevated and he needed dialysis again today. His dialysis nurse said that with his levels as high as they were she was surprised that they did not do dialysis for 8 hours today. Dialysis just wears him out so I am glad that the doctor only ordered 4 hours.
He is now allowed to have suckers and gum as long as he does not swallow the gum or bite and swallow the suckers. He cannot have anything to drink because his stomach is not working. They only hear infrequent very low sounds from his stomach and bowels.
He has had a few more episodes of aerial fibrillation. The heard doctor is monitoring the situation and medicating him. They have not mentioned the possibility of blood clots but I know that it is a possibility.
Please pray for him and specifically for his kidneys, his stomach and bowels and his heart.
My father brought the kids into see him today and it meant so much to him.
We had another good day today. Jeff was very alert and was able to communicate with us. I even got to wash his hair today. This made him very happy. His hemoglobin levels were low but not low enough for him to need more blood. His creatinine and BUN levels were very elevated and he needed dialysis again today. His dialysis nurse said that with his levels as high as they were she was surprised that they did not do dialysis for 8 hours today. Dialysis just wears him out so I am glad that the doctor only ordered 4 hours.
He is now allowed to have suckers and gum as long as he does not swallow the gum or bite and swallow the suckers. He cannot have anything to drink because his stomach is not working. They only hear infrequent very low sounds from his stomach and bowels.
He has had a few more episodes of aerial fibrillation. The heard doctor is monitoring the situation and medicating him. They have not mentioned the possibility of blood clots but I know that it is a possibility.
Please pray for him and specifically for his kidneys, his stomach and bowels and his heart.
My father brought the kids into see him today and it meant so much to him.
Day 16
Friday 9/28
Today was a better day at the hospital. They let Jeff rest today and he did not have to have any procedures done today. He had no dialysis and no more scopes. The only thing they did was a chest x-ray, which they do every morning. None of the doctors have any answers about what is going on. They still do not know what caused the problem. They are saying it could be his liver an he could have some sort of liver disease or some form of hepatitis. There was mention of doing a liver biopsy but they want to wait until he is much better. They said it could be months before he is better.
He is so grateful that I am there with him and keeps thanking me for being there. I would not be anywhere else. I am exhausted and suffering from major depression but just want to be with him all the time.
They did say they might let our kids see him tomorrow. I hope so for him and for them. They just wan to see their father.
Today was a better day at the hospital. They let Jeff rest today and he did not have to have any procedures done today. He had no dialysis and no more scopes. The only thing they did was a chest x-ray, which they do every morning. None of the doctors have any answers about what is going on. They still do not know what caused the problem. They are saying it could be his liver an he could have some sort of liver disease or some form of hepatitis. There was mention of doing a liver biopsy but they want to wait until he is much better. They said it could be months before he is better.
He is so grateful that I am there with him and keeps thanking me for being there. I would not be anywhere else. I am exhausted and suffering from major depression but just want to be with him all the time.
They did say they might let our kids see him tomorrow. I hope so for him and for them. They just wan to see their father.
Day 15
Thursday September 27
Morning
He now has an infection somewhere in his body on top of everything else. His white cell count is three times what it should be. He is losing blood and has had to be given three units of blood since Tuesday night. He is able to communicate with us. His speech is very slow and hard to understand but he tries very hard to speak. I will get the results of the CT scan and some cultures when I get to the hospital. He is not sleeping very much the nurse said when I called this morning at 6:30.
Please pray for healing for him and strength for me. My heart aches when I am not with him. I have never known a pain like this.
Evening
Another long day at the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital they had taken him to radiology to put in the new dialysis line and the new PIC line. The results of the CT scan were not very helpful. The only thing that showed up was possible cirrhosis of the liver. The infectious disease doctor asked if my husband was a drinker. He drank when he was in the Navy and will have an occasional drink now but he is not a heavy drinker. The Gastro doctor said that he did not think it was the liver. He did a scope and could not find the bleeding. No answers, just more questions. One of the nurses said that she felt that he would be in the hospital for 3 to 5 more weeks minimum. She is also the one that told me for every day he spend in the hospital bed to expect 2 days for rehabilitation.
Morning
He now has an infection somewhere in his body on top of everything else. His white cell count is three times what it should be. He is losing blood and has had to be given three units of blood since Tuesday night. He is able to communicate with us. His speech is very slow and hard to understand but he tries very hard to speak. I will get the results of the CT scan and some cultures when I get to the hospital. He is not sleeping very much the nurse said when I called this morning at 6:30.
Please pray for healing for him and strength for me. My heart aches when I am not with him. I have never known a pain like this.
Evening
Another long day at the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital they had taken him to radiology to put in the new dialysis line and the new PIC line. The results of the CT scan were not very helpful. The only thing that showed up was possible cirrhosis of the liver. The infectious disease doctor asked if my husband was a drinker. He drank when he was in the Navy and will have an occasional drink now but he is not a heavy drinker. The Gastro doctor said that he did not think it was the liver. He did a scope and could not find the bleeding. No answers, just more questions. One of the nurses said that she felt that he would be in the hospital for 3 to 5 more weeks minimum. She is also the one that told me for every day he spend in the hospital bed to expect 2 days for rehabilitation.
Day 13
Tuesday 9/25
I arrived at the hospital by 6:45 am because they were hoping to remove him from the ventilator. I wanted to be with him during part of this process but they would not let me in to see him until after they had completely removed him from the vent. It was 10:30 by this time. They told me the doctor wanted to limit his visitors for the day. I was allowed to go back for about 10 minutes. I felt really bad for his mom, bother and grandmother. They had driven all day yesterday and wanted to see him so badly. They really did not want him to have many visitors so I told them that only his mom could go back until the nurses told his different. It was very hard on her to see him so sick. The rest of the morning and early afternoon they did not allow us to be in the room with him. He was getting very agitated whenever anyone was in with him.
His heart rate became erratic and they called a cardiologist in for a consult and he told me that my dh now had an atrial fibrillation. The course of action for this would be medication to help the "electrical" part of his heart. Because his hemoglobin was low they could not give him a blood thinner and there was a risk of blood clots which could lead to a stroke. I did my best to not break down in front of his mother because I did not want her to become more upset.
After the 3-4:30 shift change we were allowed back in to see Jeff again.
When they let us go into and see him at 4:30 Jeff finally recognized us. He was still confused and disoriented and would not talk. They let all of us in at one time (me, Jeff's mom, grandmother, brother and my mama) for a few minutes. The rest of the evening they only let two of us at a time visit with him. He does not remember anything that has happened over the past 12 days and does not believe that he is as sick as he is. He did begin talking some before I had to leave to come home. Jeff did not want to be alone so his brother stayed with him for the night. He is still very confused and the doctors say that because his kidney's are not working like they should that it will take longer for him to come out of the "fog" he is in. Due to his kidneys not functioning like they should we are still looking at 6 to 8 weeks of dialysis.
The Atrial Fibrillation corrected itself but they are still giving him medication as a preventive measure. In the morning they are doing a procedure to check for damage to his heart and look for blood clots.
I arrived at the hospital by 6:45 am because they were hoping to remove him from the ventilator. I wanted to be with him during part of this process but they would not let me in to see him until after they had completely removed him from the vent. It was 10:30 by this time. They told me the doctor wanted to limit his visitors for the day. I was allowed to go back for about 10 minutes. I felt really bad for his mom, bother and grandmother. They had driven all day yesterday and wanted to see him so badly. They really did not want him to have many visitors so I told them that only his mom could go back until the nurses told his different. It was very hard on her to see him so sick. The rest of the morning and early afternoon they did not allow us to be in the room with him. He was getting very agitated whenever anyone was in with him.
His heart rate became erratic and they called a cardiologist in for a consult and he told me that my dh now had an atrial fibrillation. The course of action for this would be medication to help the "electrical" part of his heart. Because his hemoglobin was low they could not give him a blood thinner and there was a risk of blood clots which could lead to a stroke. I did my best to not break down in front of his mother because I did not want her to become more upset.
After the 3-4:30 shift change we were allowed back in to see Jeff again.
When they let us go into and see him at 4:30 Jeff finally recognized us. He was still confused and disoriented and would not talk. They let all of us in at one time (me, Jeff's mom, grandmother, brother and my mama) for a few minutes. The rest of the evening they only let two of us at a time visit with him. He does not remember anything that has happened over the past 12 days and does not believe that he is as sick as he is. He did begin talking some before I had to leave to come home. Jeff did not want to be alone so his brother stayed with him for the night. He is still very confused and the doctors say that because his kidney's are not working like they should that it will take longer for him to come out of the "fog" he is in. Due to his kidneys not functioning like they should we are still looking at 6 to 8 weeks of dialysis.
The Atrial Fibrillation corrected itself but they are still giving him medication as a preventive measure. In the morning they are doing a procedure to check for damage to his heart and look for blood clots.
Day 12
Monday 9/24
Today was a better day. They got some of the blood work from the heart and there were some levels that were off. They told me that they were not bad enough to call a cardiologist in for a consult. His kidneys are still not working and they still think it will be 6 to 8 weeks before they know about that. The lung doctor wants to try to take him off the ventilator tomorrow morning. They told me they were not promising anything but they want to try. The ventilator is only providing him with 4 breaths per minute and he is doing the rest on his own. They are going to do a chest x-ray and do some more blood work. They will have to take him off his sedation medication in order to do this and they last time they tried to take him off the sedation medication he became very disoriented and upset. My plan is to be at the hospital and in his room by 6 am.
Today was a better day. They got some of the blood work from the heart and there were some levels that were off. They told me that they were not bad enough to call a cardiologist in for a consult. His kidneys are still not working and they still think it will be 6 to 8 weeks before they know about that. The lung doctor wants to try to take him off the ventilator tomorrow morning. They told me they were not promising anything but they want to try. The ventilator is only providing him with 4 breaths per minute and he is doing the rest on his own. They are going to do a chest x-ray and do some more blood work. They will have to take him off his sedation medication in order to do this and they last time they tried to take him off the sedation medication he became very disoriented and upset. My plan is to be at the hospital and in his room by 6 am.
Day 11
Sunday 9/23
This evening the lung doctor told the nurse that tomorrow that he wanted to have some blood work done to check for heart damage. I fell apart after the nurse walked off. I told my mother I do not think I can handle him having damage to his heart. I am trying to keep my faith but it is getting harder each day. My favorite nurse was at the hospital to get some blood work done herself and I spoke with her and she says that I need to take the medicine that my doctor for my nerves. We have been blessed with Christian nurses at the hospital where he is. I will update tomorrow.
His mother is coming this week for the first time. She will be here late tomorrow night.
This evening the lung doctor told the nurse that tomorrow that he wanted to have some blood work done to check for heart damage. I fell apart after the nurse walked off. I told my mother I do not think I can handle him having damage to his heart. I am trying to keep my faith but it is getting harder each day. My favorite nurse was at the hospital to get some blood work done herself and I spoke with her and she says that I need to take the medicine that my doctor for my nerves. We have been blessed with Christian nurses at the hospital where he is. I will update tomorrow.
His mother is coming this week for the first time. She will be here late tomorrow night.
Day 9
Saturday 9/22
I just returned from the hospital and dressed for bed. I arrived at the hospital later than I wanted to due to a two-hour fog delay at my kid’s school. As soon as I arrived, they told me his CD player had broken and that he missed his music. I didn’t want to leave then during the time I could be in the room so I waited until the 3:00 - 4:30 break. They had also started the dialysis treatment and I sat by his side, talked with him, and held his hand. The day nurse showed me how to do some therapy on him by moving his arms and legs to help relieve the swelling. It seemed to be a good day. No positive changes but there were not any negative changes either. I left at 3:00 to run to Wal-Mart and pick up a new CD player, go to Family Christian Store to pick him up the new Cademon's Call CD for him. I received a voice mail while I was checking out and it was the hospital wanting me to call them. My heart dropped and I called them back. Jeff had pulled his ventilator tube out. His hands are tied down so he cannot reach his tube but he struggled to sit up and pulled the tube out. (He had staples in his stomach, had major stomach surgery, and should not have been able to sit up) He was angry he was there and wanted me. They tried to let him go without the vent tube but he was struggling too hard to breathe. They had to put the tube back in. I feel so bad that I was not here when he wanted me. The nurses wanted me to go home and try to get some sleep in my own bed. It was so hard to leave him tonight. I just want to stay with him 24 hours a day.
I just returned from the hospital and dressed for bed. I arrived at the hospital later than I wanted to due to a two-hour fog delay at my kid’s school. As soon as I arrived, they told me his CD player had broken and that he missed his music. I didn’t want to leave then during the time I could be in the room so I waited until the 3:00 - 4:30 break. They had also started the dialysis treatment and I sat by his side, talked with him, and held his hand. The day nurse showed me how to do some therapy on him by moving his arms and legs to help relieve the swelling. It seemed to be a good day. No positive changes but there were not any negative changes either. I left at 3:00 to run to Wal-Mart and pick up a new CD player, go to Family Christian Store to pick him up the new Cademon's Call CD for him. I received a voice mail while I was checking out and it was the hospital wanting me to call them. My heart dropped and I called them back. Jeff had pulled his ventilator tube out. His hands are tied down so he cannot reach his tube but he struggled to sit up and pulled the tube out. (He had staples in his stomach, had major stomach surgery, and should not have been able to sit up) He was angry he was there and wanted me. They tried to let him go without the vent tube but he was struggling too hard to breathe. They had to put the tube back in. I feel so bad that I was not here when he wanted me. The nurses wanted me to go home and try to get some sleep in my own bed. It was so hard to leave him tonight. I just want to stay with him 24 hours a day.
Day 8
Friday 9/21
I called the hospital this morning and they had to increase his sedation medication. He was very disoriented and wanted me in the middle of the night. I feel so bad that I was not there but I have to be home for my kids. The nurse also said he is now aware of how bad his body hurts. The plan for the day is to keep him heavily sedated. I will update when I know more.
I called the hospital this morning and they had to increase his sedation medication. He was very disoriented and wanted me in the middle of the night. I feel so bad that I was not there but I have to be home for my kids. The nurse also said he is now aware of how bad his body hurts. The plan for the day is to keep him heavily sedated. I will update when I know more.
Day 7
Thursday 9/21
Things are the same. The doctors didn't really answer my questions. They say it will be 6 to 8 weeks before we know about whether his kidneys are going to get better. I am so tired and need to go to bed so I will post more tomorrow.
Things are the same. The doctors didn't really answer my questions. They say it will be 6 to 8 weeks before we know about whether his kidneys are going to get better. I am so tired and need to go to bed so I will post more tomorrow.
Day 6
Wednesday 9/19
They did not do a dialysis treatment today. The Renal(doctor has ordered more test to determine what he wants to do. I think he looks puffier than before. I don't remember if I have mentioned this but he has gained 68 pounds since this started on Friday. It is all fluid weight. They say it will go away and that is one reason they are doing the dialysis. They are keeping him in a medically induced coma. His blood pressure is up so they increased his pain medication. I have not seen a doctor since Sunday. So I am spending the night at the hospital. It takes me over an hour to drive from my home to here. The nurse said that the doctors start their rounds at 6:30 am. So I am sleeping on the couch tonight. One of my friends is staying with me so I am not alone.
They did not do a dialysis treatment today. The Renal(doctor has ordered more test to determine what he wants to do. I think he looks puffier than before. I don't remember if I have mentioned this but he has gained 68 pounds since this started on Friday. It is all fluid weight. They say it will go away and that is one reason they are doing the dialysis. They are keeping him in a medically induced coma. His blood pressure is up so they increased his pain medication. I have not seen a doctor since Sunday. So I am spending the night at the hospital. It takes me over an hour to drive from my home to here. The nurse said that the doctors start their rounds at 6:30 am. So I am sleeping on the couch tonight. One of my friends is staying with me so I am not alone.
Day 5
Thursday 9/18
Morning
Yesterday was not a good day. They inserted the catheter to do the dialysis. His body did not respond well to the dialysis. His heart rate went crazy after after they finished and I felt like we might lose him. They did get him stabilized and I got to sit with him for 1 1/2 hours. That is the longest time I got to sit with him.
His liver function is not what it needs to be. They will be monitoring his liver everyday now.
Evening
He is still in critical stable condition but today was a better day. He is completely sedated and will stay sedated until they are ready to try to wean him from the ventilator. He had his second dialysis treatment and responded well to the treatment. They removed the catheter from the heart and are only taking the blood pressure on his arm.
Morning
Yesterday was not a good day. They inserted the catheter to do the dialysis. His body did not respond well to the dialysis. His heart rate went crazy after after they finished and I felt like we might lose him. They did get him stabilized and I got to sit with him for 1 1/2 hours. That is the longest time I got to sit with him.
His liver function is not what it needs to be. They will be monitoring his liver everyday now.
Evening
He is still in critical stable condition but today was a better day. He is completely sedated and will stay sedated until they are ready to try to wean him from the ventilator. He had his second dialysis treatment and responded well to the treatment. They removed the catheter from the heart and are only taking the blood pressure on his arm.
Day 3
Sunday 9/16
He is still in critical stable condition.
Jeff's kidneys have stopped functioning. They say they expected this to happen and for me to be prepared for a long recovery. He has gained 46 pounds since Friday. He is full of fluid and does not look like himself. He has his sense of humor and even asked about the football scores today. My parents are driving up next weekend and staying as long as I need them. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray. I will update tomorrow night if I come home from the hospital. I may stay the night.
He is still in critical stable condition.
Jeff's kidneys have stopped functioning. They say they expected this to happen and for me to be prepared for a long recovery. He has gained 46 pounds since Friday. He is full of fluid and does not look like himself. He has his sense of humor and even asked about the football scores today. My parents are driving up next weekend and staying as long as I need them. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray. I will update tomorrow night if I come home from the hospital. I may stay the night.
The first day
September 14/15 2007
My husband and my son were both sick and vomiting last night. They both stayed home today and I went to work. A little before 1:00 this afternoon my son sent me a text from his father's phone. He had to call 911 to get his father to the hospital. I got coverage for my class and went to the hospital. From the time I got there until they life flighted him his oxygen level fell to 72. They did a CAT scan and he has a bowel blockage. He was in severe pain.
DH life flighted to larger hospital from our small hospital
I went home and got some clothes and picked a friend up to ride with me (I was in tears and didn't think I could drive by myself) When I arrived at the hospital he was already in surgery. They are not telling me anything. I have no family here. All our family is in NC and we live in Ohio and are in Indiana at a hospital.
The lady at the information desk just came over and said she is leaving and she still does not know anything.
He is out of surgery. He had a severe Ileus. This is a buildup of air in the body. He is not doing well sill with the post surgery team on a vent. I will be able to see him in 30 minutes. He will be in ICU tonight and may have to have more surgery. going upstairs to ICU so I will be off for a while.
It is now 1:42 am and I am now able to update. Jeff is in critical stable condition. He is in an medically induced coma. He woke up briefly about 30 minutes ago and I was able to be in the room. He was very upset and with the tube in his mouth to breath he could not talk. I tried to reassure him but I don’t know if it helped. They gave him more medicine to keep him asleep. They do not want him to wake up very much. They say he needs to reserve his energy. He is on 100% oxygen, his blood pressure is not good and he is septic. When they did the surgery his stomach was terribly distended. They took 2 liters of vomit out of his stomach. He had a nisan Fundoplication done last November. This surgery was for severe acid reflux. This surgery makes it almost impossible to vomit. Because of this it built up in his stomach. They are treating him for a bacterial infection.
I am very scared. They suggested that I not leave the hospital. My sister is driving up from NC tomorrow morning.
I am not alone at the hospital. I have a friend from church with me.
Thanks for the prayers and pleas continue to pray. He needs all the prayers he can get. I will update tomorrow.
Today they told me that most people that come in as sick as he was do not live. The power of prayer works. A miracle occurred. Not only did he survive he is improving. He is still in critical condition but is gaining strength. Thanks for your prayers. They had me come home to get some sleep tonight. I am heading back to the hospital in the morning. I have had about 2 hours of sleep since Friday am. My sister is here for a few days and I have a plethora of people from church that have come forward to help me. Keep us in your prayers as we have a long road ahead of us.
My husband and my son were both sick and vomiting last night. They both stayed home today and I went to work. A little before 1:00 this afternoon my son sent me a text from his father's phone. He had to call 911 to get his father to the hospital. I got coverage for my class and went to the hospital. From the time I got there until they life flighted him his oxygen level fell to 72. They did a CAT scan and he has a bowel blockage. He was in severe pain.
DH life flighted to larger hospital from our small hospital
I went home and got some clothes and picked a friend up to ride with me (I was in tears and didn't think I could drive by myself) When I arrived at the hospital he was already in surgery. They are not telling me anything. I have no family here. All our family is in NC and we live in Ohio and are in Indiana at a hospital.
The lady at the information desk just came over and said she is leaving and she still does not know anything.
He is out of surgery. He had a severe Ileus. This is a buildup of air in the body. He is not doing well sill with the post surgery team on a vent. I will be able to see him in 30 minutes. He will be in ICU tonight and may have to have more surgery. going upstairs to ICU so I will be off for a while.
It is now 1:42 am and I am now able to update. Jeff is in critical stable condition. He is in an medically induced coma. He woke up briefly about 30 minutes ago and I was able to be in the room. He was very upset and with the tube in his mouth to breath he could not talk. I tried to reassure him but I don’t know if it helped. They gave him more medicine to keep him asleep. They do not want him to wake up very much. They say he needs to reserve his energy. He is on 100% oxygen, his blood pressure is not good and he is septic. When they did the surgery his stomach was terribly distended. They took 2 liters of vomit out of his stomach. He had a nisan Fundoplication done last November. This surgery was for severe acid reflux. This surgery makes it almost impossible to vomit. Because of this it built up in his stomach. They are treating him for a bacterial infection.
I am very scared. They suggested that I not leave the hospital. My sister is driving up from NC tomorrow morning.
I am not alone at the hospital. I have a friend from church with me.
Thanks for the prayers and pleas continue to pray. He needs all the prayers he can get. I will update tomorrow.
Today they told me that most people that come in as sick as he was do not live. The power of prayer works. A miracle occurred. Not only did he survive he is improving. He is still in critical condition but is gaining strength. Thanks for your prayers. They had me come home to get some sleep tonight. I am heading back to the hospital in the morning. I have had about 2 hours of sleep since Friday am. My sister is here for a few days and I have a plethora of people from church that have come forward to help me. Keep us in your prayers as we have a long road ahead of us.
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