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