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| June 11, 2006 - Great night last night!! Charlie actually got some sleep (and so did I). They are now checking his transplant every 4 hours and they suction his trach and mouth every 2 hours so he gets some sleep in between. There are still times that they come in at off times to give him medication but they don't stay long. Charlie is one of those people that could always fall asleep instantly and be rejuvenated after only a 15 - 20 minute nap (crazy don't you think? don't wake me up in 20 minutes if you don't want to see a bear!!) He did have one time that he had a hard time with secretions in his trach (about 2am) but the nurse got it cleared and Charlie and I were calmer so it wasn't as bad. I still am hoping to not have to go home with a trach in. The doctor doesn't think we will have to but there is a chance. His IV had to be moved to his foot because they had moved it as much as they could on his arm - he had 3 ports in at one time in his right arm - There was some tense times while that was being decided last night. Charlie got frustrated because between the nurse and the IV team nobody could decide on the best location. The IV team wanted to place a central line or a PIC line and the nurse wanted them to put one in his foot. Finally we had to get the on call doctor involved. Charlie has a pin cushion right arm (swollen and black and blue from his wrist to his armpit). He got to go out to the garden today - Curley, Foo, Brian and Mark were here and they took him. He is looking more and more like himself every day. We were told this morning that surgery would be Tuesday but we will not know what time until tomorrow (Monday). So it looks good for being home by next weekend!! Look what the power of prayer and positive thinking can do!! | ||||||||||||
| Good afternoon - we had a busy morning! Physical Therapy came in and made sure we were doing his exercises right, we went for a walk, all sorts of things. The nurses are teaching me how to take care of the trach and about incision care so I can take over his care at home. Trach care and dopler of the transplant site are now both at 4 hour increments so tonight ought to be a good night for sleep (unless apprehension about surgery tomorrow keeps him awake). He is in regular clothes instead of a hospital gown and I think that makes him feel better. We are hoping to get him to the garden again today since we don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. The doctor says this surgery will be a piece of cake (and after that last one they can only go up from there). The arterial team came in and doplered both of his arms and they didn't see a bloodclot in either arm (they were concerned about the right arm and wanted to recheck the left). Things are still looking and going great. Pray, pray, pray!!! Thanks everyone!!!! | ||||||||||||
| June 14, 2006 - Charlie came through surgery last night wih flying colors. He looks great! There is still a lot of swelling on his left side but daily we are seeing a difference - sometimes even from morning to night. He is going to get a different kind of trach put in today so he will be able to talk. The residents that see him in the morning said he will more than likely be going home on Friday!!!!! He is still very relaxed this morning, probably effects from the surgery. We will be out walking the halls this morning as soon as I can get him up and going. Still nothing on the pathology report. Dr TeKnos did check the computer last night at 7pm for me, he said it could be a couple days longer because of the amount of tissue that was sent in, but he would let us know asap when it shows. We are looking forward to Friday and the journey home! We are grateful for all our friends and family - thanks for being there for us! We were sorry to hear that the season is over for the Beal City Aggie baseball team and the Coleman Comets softball team - congratuations on getting as far as you did - you had a great run!!! Go get em next year!!!! We are looking forward to being there cheering you on! | ||||||||||||
| June 16, 2006 Sorry no update yesterday. Charlie ran a fever the night before and so he had to have tests ran, chest x-ray, blood work, all sorts of things to be sure that there wasn't infection somewhere. His white blood count was a little elevated so there was a concern. All his test came back fine but he was switched a different antibiotic. His white blood count was back to normal today. He still has the trach in - there is too much swelling to let him breath through his mouth yet so if we get to go home today that will be going with us. We are waiting to see what the doctor has to say about being discharged. The residents that came in this morning weren't sure about him going home today or if he will have to stay so they can watch him for signs of infection. We certainly don't want to go to quick but it would be nice to get home. Charlie didn't sleep well last night - his mind is working overtime . He wants to know when and if he will be eating and drinking, when will he be normal again? Being told that there was a good possibiliy that we wouldn't get to leave today probably didn't help. We will have to find a way to cheer him up. He hasn't been outside in a couple days so maybe if we can get him out there (if the rain holds off, it's pretty cloudy here) that will lift his spirits. Will let you know if we get out today. Still no pathology report - it would be nice to get that and have some good news to give Charlie - that would really lift him out of the funk he is in. Think happy thoughts and send those prayers! We think of all of you! Thanks! | ||||||||||||
| June 16, 2006 - We just got the word that we will not be going home today, maybe tomorrow. They want to keep him on an IV antibiotic and watch him for 24 more hours. Bummer but we are in the right place if something should come up. | ||||||||||||
| June 17,2006 - WE ARE GOING HOME!!!!!! Charlie's room is buzzing this with activity getting things ready to go. He did not run a fever yesterday. One test did come back positive for a slight pneumonia, but a kind that we can treat at home. He got the tube out of his nose and most of his stitches removed yesterday. He is looking great! There is still swelling on his left side and in his mouth. He is coming home with the trach in because of the swelling but hopefully when we come back for our follow up visit they can start the process of getting that removed. He will not be eating or drinking as long as that is in. He is swallowing on his own but may still have to have therapy to get it right. Well gotta go and get things done. See you at home!!!! | ||||||||||||
| June 18, 2006 - What a great night! We did not get up until 9:10 am this morning (besides 2 times to suction the trach then right back to sleep) It is nice to be home. While we were gone Charlie's brother Steve put in flag poles in our yard and Bruce Carrick lit them up - what a great surprise for Charlie, this is something he has talked about doing since we moved out here. Thanks very much to the Carrick's, Funnell's, Ley's, Geairn's, and Beltinck's!! Thanks for all the cards and flowers while we were in the hospital, it was wonderful. Since I have yet to send out thank you cards we would like to say thanks for the gas cards, cash donations, blanket, Livestrong Kit, "kick cancers butt" shirt, waiting room care package, magazines, cards, flowers/planter, gift certificate for Gern Burgers, gift certificate for Cheeseburger in Paradise, plaque, suncatcher, housekeeping, grass mowing, e-mail, phone calls, thoughts and prayers. You all have been so wonderful! What a great support system!!! What a great community we live in. Things are going well here thanks to all the nurses at the hospital that taught me how to do trach & incision care - thanks ladies!! Happy Fathers Day all you fathers | ||||||||||||
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