Finally..an Update

Dr. Black came to see Dad today around 1:00 or so. He just sat down on the couch and asked dad how it was going. Dad just looked at him with "that look" as if to say..how do you think its going guy?" He told Dad that although he knew he didn't feel like it, he looked great from a surgical standpoint. It has been 72 hours and he looked at the flap, quickly removed his gloves and said, "it's perfect!" That is definitely good news. We asked him several questions and concerns that had built up over the weekend and he covered most of them and things are still moving right along. Of course, Dad feels like a truck just ran over him, but he is doing good. Still very low blood oxygen so he is having to take iron every 8 hours. He hates it! From the smell of it, it must be horrible. The nurse told him that he better take it because he is really low---she's talking " borderline transfusion". Pray for those levels to rise over the next day so we can avoid that. Dr. Black mentioned that we would talk about Dad going home when he gets a little more calories down. He eats, just not very much or for very long at a time. He gave Dad a little pep talk about keeping his spirits high and not getting blue. He explained that he does about 100 of these surgeries per year and that young, healthy men are always hit the hardest by the surgery. Meaning they are active, healthy enjoying their lives (and good food) and then this hits them like a curve ball. He was really sweet and told Dad that he knew he felt right now like he had no idea what had just happened to him and that he would never live life the same or eat the same again, but he wanted to reassure him that those thoughts were just not TRUE. He said very clearly...you will be fine..just hang in there. He has been sleeping better today ( I am beginning to think the surgery turned him into a newborn who has his days and nights mixed up) and hopefully that means he will sleep better tonight. On a scale of 1-10 he actually rated his headache as a 5 today and his overall pain as a 3. That is the best so far.

Monday Morning

Good morning. We are still waiting to see Dr. Holmes and/or Dr. Black. Surely they have some news and new information for us. Getting through the weekend without seeing many doctors is not fun. Dad had a rough night just not being able to sleep. He is sleeping now so that is good. I will post any new information when I hear from the doctor. I am looking forward to that!

quick note

Several of you have called or emailed and said that you were unable to leave a "comment". I had never tried it before so I did. I think if you check "anonymous" but just sign your name on the message, it should work regardless of what service you have. But who am I when it comes to computers? NOBODY! :)

Sunday Evening

We had a pretty good day (at least from my stand point..I am sure he would beg to differ). Since the Mt. Dew and moving to Tylenol instead of all that morphine, he has been more alert and moved around a bit. He sat in the chair several times today and visited with Jordan, Patrick, Patton, Callie, Smith, Sam and Penny. They each brought a smile and even a giggle at times! They are so honest and loving and carry on with him as if he didn't have any problems going on at all. All Penny can say is "papa..boo boos". Mom and I are in here with him tonight until we feel comfortable that he is resting. Mom may have to stay in the room another night, but we'll see. Night time seems so much harder for him, so pray that he gets some rest.
Thank you all!

Love,
Michelle

Sunday

It is about 11:00 and it has been a busy morning. Mom stayed in the room with him last night just to help with the little things since he is now in a room without a one on one nurse. He didn't sleep much, but who would having had that kind of surgery. I would say today is a little bit better than yesterday but still kind of rough. Every time they come in to clean him up he looks better and better to me. He actually saw himself in a mirror last night and would not agree with us, but from our eyes he looks great. Dr. Holmes came in this morning and said everything was good. Dad was actually up in the chair and able to carry on a conversation with him. He went over all the things that are hurting and/or bothering him and all were normal and to be expected. He showed us exactly how big the tumor was and said that it was what he had expected as well. Of course we have to wait a few days to hear from pathology to know more details about that. We pray for a good report and clear direction as to the plan from here.(radiation,etc.) Dr. Holmes kept reminding him that he felt this bad because he was supposed to! He just had major surgery! Dad replied, "I've got to be at work on Monday". Dr. Holmes smiled and said, "well, your not going to make it, but ask me again in two weeks." That made him happy. He is a little anemic this morning and they are giving him some iron. If that is our only problem...we'll take it.

The best moment came when Dr. Holmes asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" Jokingly, Dad said, "bring me a Mt. dew". and he replied, "I don't care if you have a Mt. Dew!" We all scrambled as if we couldn't believe our ears. Shawn had a fresh, cold one in his hand so Cheryl grabbed a syringe and started shooting Mt. Dew down his throat! He was so happy. I bet that was a new one for the nurses...Mt. Dew through a syringe. Who cares...Papa got his Mt. Dew!

Room 451!

It is about 4:10 and we are settled in our room! Hallelujah! He has had another somewhat unpleasant day with the headache and hunger issues being main complaints. Finally, they brought him some chicken broth and a Popsicle. He saw Dr. Black (on call for Dr. Holmes today) around 11:00 and he is still very pleased with everything at this point. Great news. Dr. Black then ordered him to go straight to a regular room and skip the "step down" room. Dad perked up immediately at the thought of finally getting out of ICU and that HOT room! They took one of the IV lines off and the drainage tube out and he is also free of the catheter! MUCH BETTER! He walked from the wheelchair to the bed almost all by himself. He is resting now and looking forward to the headache disappearing! His food intake has been promoted to liquids and protein shakes. A better menu than ice chips and water from a spoon! We are thrilled to have a room where we can stay with him anytime we want and just pray that his head gets better!

Good Morning

It is Saturday morning and Dad is still in ICU. The nurse said he had an okay night and they were able to keep him sleeping a bit. We haven't seen him yet (that part is getting OLD) but hope to get in soon. Shawn, Cheryl and the kids are headed back right now and they are bringing Jordan too. Heather and Dave are headed in a couple of hours and Stephen is bringing my kids in just a bit. (Yipee!) Don't know what we will do with all of them, but we are here to love Papa!