I flew in to SLC on Tuesday to see dad and help mom get some rest and some things ready for Kindergarten. Dad is doing good, lots of of ups and downs. Having a real problem with severe migraines every 3-4 hours. Sleeping a little better at night. His pancrease drain has gone from green fluid to yellow and has slowed down some but the doctor won't take it out until it stops draining completely. Blood suger has been over 200 then back down to 140 at the lowest. We spoke to the dietician yesterday and she is going to try and change his insulin. She also discussed with mom and dad how to make changes in dads diet because he will most likely be diabetic because of the surgery. This will definatley be an adjustment, but a small price to pay to be alive. One of the doctors who helped with the first 5 1/2 hrs. of surgery told dad that his surgery was the most complex and biggest surgery they have ever done here at the University of Utah Medical Center. There will be some medical papers written about it. Dad told them that he would like a copy of it when it is published. They said he has made remarkable steps toward recovery and has been a good patient. His favorite nurse is Sandy and will be so glad to come home when the time comes. He still has the feeding tube in and the pancreatic drain in his back. They took out the other two drains on his right side, took him off the oxygen tank and have started him on solids again. He only eats a little bit, but is making progress. The incision is still somewhat numb but healing good. The target date for discharge is Tuesday Aug. 18th if everything goes as planned. The doctors have instructed him to stay in SLC for another 4-5 days so he can come in and be monitered from time to time and to check tubes and drains. Then from there he will most likely stay at Josh & Andreas for a week, then MAYBE onto Polson. The hospital will set up home health for dad in Utah, Idaho, and Montana until needed. I will be here until friday afternoon then back home to DC. Mom starts school on Aug. 25th for the teachers and then 1st day of school will be Aug. 31st so she may need some help those first few weeks when dad comes home to Montana. Mom is hanging in there, she is so cheerful but is still so worried about dad. She doesnt sleep well at night, so an afternoon nap is absolutley nessarary. SLC is really beautiful up here on the campus. I went for a run this morning on the hills behind the Hospital. The weather has been sunny and comfortably cool in morning and evening. Dad has a really nice view of the city from his window and watches the sun come up every morning, so where ever you all might be when the sun comes up in your town, dad is there with you...Saturday, August 15, 2009
RECOVERING IN SLC
I flew in to SLC on Tuesday to see dad and help mom get some rest and some things ready for Kindergarten. Dad is doing good, lots of of ups and downs. Having a real problem with severe migraines every 3-4 hours. Sleeping a little better at night. His pancrease drain has gone from green fluid to yellow and has slowed down some but the doctor won't take it out until it stops draining completely. Blood suger has been over 200 then back down to 140 at the lowest. We spoke to the dietician yesterday and she is going to try and change his insulin. She also discussed with mom and dad how to make changes in dads diet because he will most likely be diabetic because of the surgery. This will definatley be an adjustment, but a small price to pay to be alive. One of the doctors who helped with the first 5 1/2 hrs. of surgery told dad that his surgery was the most complex and biggest surgery they have ever done here at the University of Utah Medical Center. There will be some medical papers written about it. Dad told them that he would like a copy of it when it is published. They said he has made remarkable steps toward recovery and has been a good patient. His favorite nurse is Sandy and will be so glad to come home when the time comes. He still has the feeding tube in and the pancreatic drain in his back. They took out the other two drains on his right side, took him off the oxygen tank and have started him on solids again. He only eats a little bit, but is making progress. The incision is still somewhat numb but healing good. The target date for discharge is Tuesday Aug. 18th if everything goes as planned. The doctors have instructed him to stay in SLC for another 4-5 days so he can come in and be monitered from time to time and to check tubes and drains. Then from there he will most likely stay at Josh & Andreas for a week, then MAYBE onto Polson. The hospital will set up home health for dad in Utah, Idaho, and Montana until needed. I will be here until friday afternoon then back home to DC. Mom starts school on Aug. 25th for the teachers and then 1st day of school will be Aug. 31st so she may need some help those first few weeks when dad comes home to Montana. Mom is hanging in there, she is so cheerful but is still so worried about dad. She doesnt sleep well at night, so an afternoon nap is absolutley nessarary. SLC is really beautiful up here on the campus. I went for a run this morning on the hills behind the Hospital. The weather has been sunny and comfortably cool in morning and evening. Dad has a really nice view of the city from his window and watches the sun come up every morning, so where ever you all might be when the sun comes up in your town, dad is there with you...