As a good friend reminded me today, it's been a while since I posted. Sorry if you were checking this blog every day for updates. I was waiting until things seemed to be on an upward trajectory.
After my last posting I discovered that a lot of solid food was not a good thing to be eaten for the evening meal. So, I've been eating soup and fruit for dinner. Lunches have included many delicious victuals brought in by friends. I still have a refrigerator full of things to last for several more days.
My sleep pattern has gotten steadier; I average two hours at a stretch, with a total of about seven hours per night. Tylenol PM is good for getting to sleep. I'm still in my little twin bed, which is set up in the dining room, but I plan to move back upstairs to my bedroom by the weekend.
I have started doing some household chores like swiffering and vacuuming, laundry, and washing dishes (well, I had to do that after Tim left last Thursday.) I've been out on a couple of excursions with friends and have been walking further distances. Last Sunday I attended worship at the college as a part of the final service of the Lutheran Summer Music Festival and Academy. I even sang on some of the hymns, and not wobbly, either.
Tomorrow I'm planning on having lunch at a restaurant with my friend H. George Anderson. It will mark another milestone if successful--eating out.
If things continue to progress as they have, I probably won't post again until after my check-up visit with Dr. Farnell on August 4.
As always, thanks for your interest, concern, prayers, comments, etc.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Home At Last
Well, I thought it would never come to pass, but I am now home. Cindy brought me from the hospital on Saturday; the trip was not too bad, even though I hadn't remembered how bumpy much of Hwy 52 is.
Food was not my friend on Friday, but since coming home my poor system has rallied and begun the relearning process regarding digestion. I am tolerating most things that sound good to me: rice, potatoes, chicken, pasta, even a few bites of pork chop (Iowa's best, of course.)
Although I did not sleep much Saturday night, last night was very restful. I gave Cindy and my brother, Tim, who arrived by plane yesterday, the grand tour of Decorah this afternoon. Cindy leaves tomorrow and Tim will be here until Thursday morning. After that I need to be independent enough to prepare my own meals (or at least clean up from eating things other good Samaritans have brought) and fetching my own water, mail, blanket, etc.--things I have been all to eager to have others do for me in the first few days home.
Many visitors so far, also. I welcome your visits, but ask that you call before coming in case I'm not feeling well. The days have their ups and downs, so please don't be discouraged if I sound wimpy in the morning and chipper in the afternoon. Who knows why?
Looking forward to greeting those who can come by or phone. Blessings on all who are supporting me by prayer, action, deed, thought, etc.
Ed
Food was not my friend on Friday, but since coming home my poor system has rallied and begun the relearning process regarding digestion. I am tolerating most things that sound good to me: rice, potatoes, chicken, pasta, even a few bites of pork chop (Iowa's best, of course.)
Although I did not sleep much Saturday night, last night was very restful. I gave Cindy and my brother, Tim, who arrived by plane yesterday, the grand tour of Decorah this afternoon. Cindy leaves tomorrow and Tim will be here until Thursday morning. After that I need to be independent enough to prepare my own meals (or at least clean up from eating things other good Samaritans have brought) and fetching my own water, mail, blanket, etc.--things I have been all to eager to have others do for me in the first few days home.
Many visitors so far, also. I welcome your visits, but ask that you call before coming in case I'm not feeling well. The days have their ups and downs, so please don't be discouraged if I sound wimpy in the morning and chipper in the afternoon. Who knows why?
Looking forward to greeting those who can come by or phone. Blessings on all who are supporting me by prayer, action, deed, thought, etc.
Ed
Thursday, July 9, 2009
3 Weeks Out
Today is day 21 since my surgery. The NG tube came out Tuesday, after which I spent a day in a state of semi-nausea (I know, TMI.) Today I began a liquid diet, starting with clear liquids and progressing to full. So far, so good. The nutrition IV will end tonight, so perhaps tomorrow I will actually feel hungry enough to eat more than a few bites.
If tomorrow goes well, with all that entails regarding how the various components of my digestive system continue to re-learn how to work in co-operation, I may be going home Saturday or Sunday. Glory Hallelujah!
My cousins John and Joyce were an invaluable support during the past few days. They have returned home to Tennessee, but have been replaced by John's sister, Cindy. Cindy and I lived our early childhoods as neighbors and she is like a sister to me. It's good to have family.
Next post (I hope) will be written from 619 North Street.
If tomorrow goes well, with all that entails regarding how the various components of my digestive system continue to re-learn how to work in co-operation, I may be going home Saturday or Sunday. Glory Hallelujah!
My cousins John and Joyce were an invaluable support during the past few days. They have returned home to Tennessee, but have been replaced by John's sister, Cindy. Cindy and I lived our early childhoods as neighbors and she is like a sister to me. It's good to have family.
Next post (I hope) will be written from 619 North Street.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Some Positive Developments
It's been a while since I posted; I've been waiting on some positive developments to take place. Over the holiday weekend I finally passed some more gas and had other movement in the bowel. The doctors were awaiting this as if it were a fulfillment of a prophecy. However, my stomach is still retaining quite a lot of digestive fluid. As long as this fluid isn't moving out into the intestine I won't be given food by mouth.
This morning, day 18, I got some more good news. Dr. Farnell, who returned to Mayo from a week away, suggested that there might be a narrowing of the connection between the stomach and the intestine, preventing the fluid from moving. He had me undergo a barium moving x-ray. This test revealed that the opening was of generous width, not blocking the fluid's movement. So, while this doesn't get me to eating right away, it does eliminate one more possible complication.
Right now the NG tube is clamped for as long as I can stand it, to encourage the stomach to move. If I start getting nauseated, though, I'm starting the pump again.
My cousin Dr. John Johnson, and his wife Joyce, are visiting me for the week from Greeneville, TN. It is nice to have family around.
This morning, day 18, I got some more good news. Dr. Farnell, who returned to Mayo from a week away, suggested that there might be a narrowing of the connection between the stomach and the intestine, preventing the fluid from moving. He had me undergo a barium moving x-ray. This test revealed that the opening was of generous width, not blocking the fluid's movement. So, while this doesn't get me to eating right away, it does eliminate one more possible complication.
Right now the NG tube is clamped for as long as I can stand it, to encourage the stomach to move. If I start getting nauseated, though, I'm starting the pump again.
My cousin Dr. John Johnson, and his wife Joyce, are visiting me for the week from Greeneville, TN. It is nice to have family around.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
After freedom, confinement again
Yesterday Dr. Fatima said that Dr. Farnell had given orders for the NG tube to be removed. His idea was that, despite the presence of lots of stomach acid, my body must learn to deal with it. The first few hours were great--no proboscis dangling in front of my face. Plarent and I walked to several key sites in the hospital, including a meditation room and the patient library.
About 3 p.m., however, I began to have some nausea; by 5:00 it was horrible. I was in misery the rest of the evening and most of today. At 2 p.m. today I was taken to have another CT scan to determine if I had a leak from my pancreas. If so, a drain would have to be installed. Fortunately there was no leak, so no drain. Dr. Fatima reinstated another NG tube, which has completely aleviated the nausea. I look forward to some sleep this evening.
Despite some bowel activity, they are still waiting for more consistent signs that my bowel function has returned. Perhaps I will be eating by the weekend.
Today marks the end of the second week since my surgery.
About 3 p.m., however, I began to have some nausea; by 5:00 it was horrible. I was in misery the rest of the evening and most of today. At 2 p.m. today I was taken to have another CT scan to determine if I had a leak from my pancreas. If so, a drain would have to be installed. Fortunately there was no leak, so no drain. Dr. Fatima reinstated another NG tube, which has completely aleviated the nausea. I look forward to some sleep this evening.
Despite some bowel activity, they are still waiting for more consistent signs that my bowel function has returned. Perhaps I will be eating by the weekend.
Today marks the end of the second week since my surgery.
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