Did I get your attention with that title? I'll explain.
Early last week when Larry was hospitalized for the infection, they did a procedure to "open" the wound. What they really did was make a deep incision where the feeding tube had entered his body. About 1.5 inches long and 1.5 inches deep. YIKES! Since we've been home, a nurse has come in twice a day to "pack" the wound with gauze and cover it. I kept my distance for these visits (distance = in the other room). Well, between Larry and the nurses, they decided that it was time for us to do this ourselves. Thursday was the last nurse visit (they will be back in a week). As of Friday, we're doing it now. They switched us from gauze packing to something called SilverCel which allows us to change it only once per day. SilverCel looks like gray felt and is made from seaweed and silver. Apparently both contain natural antimicrobial properties that help promote healing.
Pat
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Two Month Break
The trip to Cleveland yesterday went well. The surgeon's office says the infection site is healing well. It will be an open wound for another 3 weeks, requiring daily nurse visits. Next visit 2 months! The oncologist (chemo) thought Larry looked pretty good and was happy with his eating progress. Next visit 2 months!
Yeah - no Cleveland for 2 months! We will NOT miss the drive.
Pat
Yeah - no Cleveland for 2 months! We will NOT miss the drive.
Pat
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Graduation and Family Meals
What a great ending to a week that didn't start so well. Our oldest son, Stephen, graduated from high school this afternoon. Larry was able to attend the graduation ceremony and dinner afterwards. For anyone curious about what he ordered - he split a philly steak and fries with my mom. It tasted pretty good, but with a few bites of appetizer and dessert, it felt like a huge meal.
Over the past few days, Larry has been joining us for dinner! Up until now, he hasn't felt like eating the same food as the rest of the family. Food is starting to taste normal again. It's nice to have him back at the table and nice to be able to fix the same thing for everyone. Another step towards "normal".
Hoping that Brad (the down the hall neighbor at the hospital this week) was discharged over the weekend and is recovering well at home.
Best wishes to George and daughter Susan as George prepares for surgery on Tuesday.
We're back to Cleveland Tuesday for a check-up - expecting it to go well. (I'm not packing a bag this time!)
Regards,
Pat
Over the past few days, Larry has been joining us for dinner! Up until now, he hasn't felt like eating the same food as the rest of the family. Food is starting to taste normal again. It's nice to have him back at the table and nice to be able to fix the same thing for everyone. Another step towards "normal".
Hoping that Brad (the down the hall neighbor at the hospital this week) was discharged over the weekend and is recovering well at home.
Best wishes to George and daughter Susan as George prepares for surgery on Tuesday.
We're back to Cleveland Tuesday for a check-up - expecting it to go well. (I'm not packing a bag this time!)
Regards,
Pat
Friday, June 10, 2011
Appointment Confusion
We are not going to Cleveland today - WOOOHOOO!!!
On Tuesday hospital staff said we needed to come back on Friday since Larry was being discharged after 24 hours instead of the preferred 48 hours. The discharge papers showed an appointment time, but I didn't pay much attention to it. I pulled it out this morning to verify the time and found that the date was yesterday. Turns out that was the original appointment time before we made the unscheduled visit on Monday. When I called to find out when to come today, they said it was too soon. Anytime next week will be fine. So we're trying to coordinate an oncology visit and surgeon visit on the same day.
We are so happy that we won't be spending 5 hours in the car today! Larry's task for the day is to try on clothes to see if he has anything that fits and is appropriate to wear for Stephen's graduation Sunday. He's lost 60 pounds since the first of the year. I may be going shopping Saturday!
Pat
On Tuesday hospital staff said we needed to come back on Friday since Larry was being discharged after 24 hours instead of the preferred 48 hours. The discharge papers showed an appointment time, but I didn't pay much attention to it. I pulled it out this morning to verify the time and found that the date was yesterday. Turns out that was the original appointment time before we made the unscheduled visit on Monday. When I called to find out when to come today, they said it was too soon. Anytime next week will be fine. So we're trying to coordinate an oncology visit and surgeon visit on the same day.
We are so happy that we won't be spending 5 hours in the car today! Larry's task for the day is to try on clothes to see if he has anything that fits and is appropriate to wear for Stephen's graduation Sunday. He's lost 60 pounds since the first of the year. I may be going shopping Saturday!
Pat
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Jail Break
Larry made his escape at about 2:30 today. Once again, it's good to be home. On the way Larry said that he was feeling better than he's felt for at least the past couple weeks. Before we were discharged we met with a dietitian who had some excellent suggestions for consuming 2000 calories when one doesn't feel hungry. The nurse practitioner also changed some medications that should eliminate the nausea. They also coordinated the visiting nurse who will be coming tomorrow morning and twice a day for a while. I am very impressed with the level of care.
We'll be going back on Friday for a follow-up and probably again next week.
Pete and Laurie - Thank you so much for stopping in for a visit. My call was just to let you know what was happening, I certainly didn't expect you to change your plans and head to the Clinic. Much appreciated though! And thanks for introducing us to Brad and Debbie.
Brad and Debbie - It was nice to meet you both, although I would prefer different circumstances. Brad, thanks for stopping in to meet Larry today before he checked out. We are truly amazed at how good you look at 6 days post-surgery. You've got a long road ahead, but you are recovering well and seem to have a good outlook. We hope you stay in touch through the blog or e-mail. Let us know if you set up your own blog, we'd like to follow your recovery. I chose blogger.com because it was free, easy to set up and simple for folks to follow and post comments.
Pat
We'll be going back on Friday for a follow-up and probably again next week.
Pete and Laurie - Thank you so much for stopping in for a visit. My call was just to let you know what was happening, I certainly didn't expect you to change your plans and head to the Clinic. Much appreciated though! And thanks for introducing us to Brad and Debbie.
Brad and Debbie - It was nice to meet you both, although I would prefer different circumstances. Brad, thanks for stopping in to meet Larry today before he checked out. We are truly amazed at how good you look at 6 days post-surgery. You've got a long road ahead, but you are recovering well and seem to have a good outlook. We hope you stay in touch through the blog or e-mail. Let us know if you set up your own blog, we'd like to follow your recovery. I chose blogger.com because it was free, easy to set up and simple for folks to follow and post comments.
Pat
Checking Out Today
Things are looking better today. Doctors did a minor procedure to open the wound to allow drainage. They will be sending Larry home today with oral antibiotics and visiting nurse to re-pack and change dressings twice a day. Doctors would feel better if Larry stayed another day, but agreed to let him go today as long as he came back for a re-check on Friday. I'm sure we'll be back next week for another follow-up.
A small bump in the road, but still headed in the right direction. Glad we got it taken care of before it got worse.
A small bump in the road, but still headed in the right direction. Glad we got it taken care of before it got worse.
Overnight Guest
My last post was June 1 when Larry's feeding tube was removed. Lots of activity since then.
By Friday, not much had changed, but also hadn't gotten any worse. Cleveland Clinic advised to monitor closely over the weekend and if it got worse, go to the ER. Otherwise call on Monday.
Saturday - still no change in the icky stuff and Larry seemed a little worse, so we went to the local ER (Flower Hospital). They consulted with Cleveland Clinic, cultured the icky stuff, took a blood for labs and culture and took abdominal x-rays. Cultures take 2-3 days so still waiting for results. But other labs and x-ray looked good. He had a low-grade fever. They thought icky stuff looked like an infection so gave IV antibiotics and sent us home with oral antibiotics.
Sunday - seemed to feel a little better, but very slightly.
Monday - icky stuff not looking as icky. Called Cleveland Clinic to report the weekend activity. Should we keep our appointment for Thursday or do something different. They wanted us in Cleveland for a CT scan. Neither one of wanted to drive to Cleveland. Arrive 12:30, drink huge bottle of "contrast" fluid, wait an hour, get scan, report to surgeon's office. Physicians assistant thought the wound didn't look too bad, but the CT scan showed infection. She consulted with one of the surgeons who said the best course of action was IV antibiotics. So guess what? ADMITTED. Larry is back on the same floor he was on following surgery. Larry is not a happy camper, but realizes this is the best treatment for attacking the infection and probably the best thing to guarantee that he can attend Stephen's graduation on Sunday. Several folks were in to inspect the infected wound - all seemed to think it was not a very serious infection and would be pretty easy to fix. The doctor in charge will be in early in the morning. He'll be the one to determine whether we can head home tomorrow or if we need to stay another day.
This certainly not how I planned to spend my Monday, but I'm glad we're here getting the best care. Hoping that the antibiotics do their thing over night. I'll post an update when I get to the room in the morning. I'm staying a few miles down the road right outside the ball park.
Pat
By Friday, not much had changed, but also hadn't gotten any worse. Cleveland Clinic advised to monitor closely over the weekend and if it got worse, go to the ER. Otherwise call on Monday.
Saturday - still no change in the icky stuff and Larry seemed a little worse, so we went to the local ER (Flower Hospital). They consulted with Cleveland Clinic, cultured the icky stuff, took a blood for labs and culture and took abdominal x-rays. Cultures take 2-3 days so still waiting for results. But other labs and x-ray looked good. He had a low-grade fever. They thought icky stuff looked like an infection so gave IV antibiotics and sent us home with oral antibiotics.
Sunday - seemed to feel a little better, but very slightly.
Monday - icky stuff not looking as icky. Called Cleveland Clinic to report the weekend activity. Should we keep our appointment for Thursday or do something different. They wanted us in Cleveland for a CT scan. Neither one of wanted to drive to Cleveland. Arrive 12:30, drink huge bottle of "contrast" fluid, wait an hour, get scan, report to surgeon's office. Physicians assistant thought the wound didn't look too bad, but the CT scan showed infection. She consulted with one of the surgeons who said the best course of action was IV antibiotics. So guess what? ADMITTED. Larry is back on the same floor he was on following surgery. Larry is not a happy camper, but realizes this is the best treatment for attacking the infection and probably the best thing to guarantee that he can attend Stephen's graduation on Sunday. Several folks were in to inspect the infected wound - all seemed to think it was not a very serious infection and would be pretty easy to fix. The doctor in charge will be in early in the morning. He'll be the one to determine whether we can head home tomorrow or if we need to stay another day.
This certainly not how I planned to spend my Monday, but I'm glad we're here getting the best care. Hoping that the antibiotics do their thing over night. I'll post an update when I get to the room in the morning. I'm staying a few miles down the road right outside the ball park.
Pat
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Great News (but unexpected)!
Following up on yesterday's post. We made the trek to Cleveland today. A nurse checked the icky ooziness (no more detail will be provided) and decided to replace the feeding tube. Replacement is a simple office procedure with minor discomfort. Following replacement an x-ray is required to ensure correct placement. So the nurse inserted the new tube then called in the surgeon to review the lab results we brought from home and to check the tube before sending us to x-ray. Surgeon decided that Larry no longer needed a feeding tube. He thinks the tube is contributing to Larry's lack of appetite and overall yucky feeling. So the new tube was removed. Lab work looked okay and no antibiotics were prescibed.
LARRY IS TOTALLY DISCONNECTED NOW!!!!! One week earlier than expected. No food or drink for 4 hours after tube removal, the eating / drinking can resume.
He had built up to only 500 calories per day. The surgeon is not too concerned. Larry may lose a few more pounds before he builds up his calorie intake. I'm hoping that the surgeon is right and better eating will start in the next day or two. They want to see him back in 10 days.
The only procedure that remains is removal of the central port that was inserted in Larry's chest back in December. That will be done at Flower Hospital and is a procedure that does not require anestesia. Scheduling for after June 15.
Pat
LARRY IS TOTALLY DISCONNECTED NOW!!!!! One week earlier than expected. No food or drink for 4 hours after tube removal, the eating / drinking can resume.
He had built up to only 500 calories per day. The surgeon is not too concerned. Larry may lose a few more pounds before he builds up his calorie intake. I'm hoping that the surgeon is right and better eating will start in the next day or two. They want to see him back in 10 days.
The only procedure that remains is removal of the central port that was inserted in Larry's chest back in December. That will be done at Flower Hospital and is a procedure that does not require anestesia. Scheduling for after June 15.
Pat
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