Boy I'm tired

Stopped by GH this afternoon and John was sound asleep. We didn't wake him because he finally looked like he was comfortable. I went back later with the dogs and the aides put him in a wheelchair so we could go to one of the lounges to watch the hockey game. He did pretty well, staying in the chair an hour and a half. Hard to believe, but I think he's getting used to the NG tube.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is presenting John's case next Tuesday. The transplant team will review all the test results, interviews, etc. and make a decision as to whether John can go on the transplant list. Please keep this in your prayers!

I'm beat...time for bed.

J back in New Castle

Well, turns out John went to GH today. I thought he had a stress test yesterday, but he just had an echocardiogram. Today he had the stress test and he was back on his floor early enough to send him to GH this afternoon. Saw him late this afternoon. Poor guy hates the NG tube. I feel so bad. I hope he can start eating and drinking by mouth soon. At least he no longer has the central line, and an IV pole following him around. Tomorrow he'll be assessed for physical therapy. He'll enjoy that immensely I'm sure. I think the Pens are playing tomorrow night, so the girls and I will go watch the game with John.

The Plan

Today John got his nasogastric (NG) tube today. I talked to him on the phone mid-afternoon and he did not like it. I called his nurse around 7 p.m. to see how he was doing with it and have the nurse remind him to watch the Penguins game. His nurse said he was doing well with it and receiving his first feeding. He also had an echocardiogram and chemical stress test today. I believe that completes all the tests needed for his transplant evaluation. I think they will present his case next week. Praying for approval!

Friday morning he'll be released to Golden Hill nursing home . He needs skilled care until he gets his strength back. He'll receive physical and occupational therapy while there. Going to bring him his clothes and shoes tomorrow. I know he'll be glad to get out of there, but is not too keen on going to the nursing home. I just hope he starts feeling better soon!

I'm trying to make plans to head back to Florida in a couple of weeks. Don't know if I'm going back for a few days or a few weeks. It'll depend on what the transplant team decides.

Moving forward

John was sitting in a chair when I got to the hospital today. He looked exhausted. They still hadn't drained him. Fortunately, one of the internal med doctors tapped him bedside in the afternoon and drained almost 5 litres of fluid. After that, he fell into a sound sleep. It looks like he'll be released in a day or two to a skilled care facility for rehab. Working with the social worker on that one. So that is good news. He can't wait to get out of there, but will be getting physical and occupational therapy to get his strength back. He'll undergo the rest of the tests for transplant evaluation soon. Praying he'll get on the list!

Sigh

John is tired of being in the hospital. He's also physically tired. Today he received blood products in anticipation of a new drain. Aunt Esther and I stuck around into the evening waiting for radiology to determine if his clotting factor was in a safe range. They decided they will give him more plasma around 4:00 a.m. then insert the drain sometime in the morning. I know he'll feel a bit better once the fluid starts draining again. A speech therapist worked with his swallowing technique while we were there. Still no food or water by mouth and no NG tube. He's receiving IV fluids.

Not much new to report

Van, Jeff, Lili and I went to see John for a couple of hours this evening. He's still really tired, but seems to be okay. Not sure what's ahead next week. Probably won't know until Monday. Tomorrow Chrissy and Anita and going to visit John. Sunday seems to be my day off. :)

Okay

I'm pretty tired, so I'll make this quick.

John was noticably perkier today. Mind you, still extremely tired, just more alert. They were still giving him plasma when Van and I got there at 11:00. They finally took him for the ERCP, which is the acronym for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (that's a mouthful) around 3:45. The goal was to remove stones that were in the main bile duct from the liver to the small intestine. What the doctor found was a fistula that broke through near the end of the duct. The opening to the small intestine was partially closed and much too small for the stones. The doc was being very cautious not to cut unnecessarily and possibly cause a lot of bleeding to remove the large stones, so he opted to put in a stent so the bile can drain from the liver. The stent can stay in for 2-3 months. Either John will get a new liver in this timeframe and the stent can be removed then or the expectation is that his health will improve enough to be able to go back in a few months to remove the stent and the stones. John was in the recovery room by 5:00, then we went upstairs and waited for him to come back up at 7:00. He was very tired, so we left not too long after that. I just called his nurse and she said his vitals are good and he's sleeping. More to come....thank you for your prayers!! xo