Just saw Dad this morning for a quick visit. He was awake and eating breakfast - plastic ventilator - bad choice, dad. Go with the bagel next time the waitress comes around.
In any event, they were getting ready to take it out because he is able to do his own breathing, thank you very much.
I'm sure he will have a wonderful visit with mom today. She was very happy to get the news that he was getting off the breathing tube.
The plan is for him to be in ICU for a few days and then head back to rehab and get back to all that swallowing, sitting and standing.
Dad, you did great. Keep smiling and laughing. You are amazing and it is a blessing to all of us that you've still got your razor sharp wit. I hear you told your nurse she looked like Al Roker's sister. Seriously, Dad, you need to filter some thoughts. Unfortunately, we know just who you mean :)
Peace, Michelle
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
In Recovery!
So, the gall bladder is still in, but all the stones and sludge are out.
What, they didn't take the gall bladder out?!
I know...that's how we reacted, too, but it's fine.
Dad's surgeon explained that there was too much bleeding for him to remove it safely. The fact that he was able to clean it out was still an accomplishment and Dad will be able to heal without danger of another attack. This is good. There were at least 15 little stones that could have caused a future problem. Sorry stones, you missed your chance!
He is sleeping peacefully right now and we hope to chat with him tomorrow.
Our Goodbye Gall Bladder party has been renamed the Goodbye Gall Stone party. Drinks will be served neat (as opposed to "on the rocks" for you non-drinkers!).
Thank you all for your love and support.
What, they didn't take the gall bladder out?!
I know...that's how we reacted, too, but it's fine.
Dad's surgeon explained that there was too much bleeding for him to remove it safely. The fact that he was able to clean it out was still an accomplishment and Dad will be able to heal without danger of another attack. This is good. There were at least 15 little stones that could have caused a future problem. Sorry stones, you missed your chance!
He is sleeping peacefully right now and we hope to chat with him tomorrow.
Our Goodbye Gall Bladder party has been renamed the Goodbye Gall Stone party. Drinks will be served neat (as opposed to "on the rocks" for you non-drinkers!).
Thank you all for your love and support.
Surgery at 10:30 am this morning!
Got moved up for some reason.
Will post when he is in recovery!
Lots of love, Michelle
Will post when he is in recovery!
Lots of love, Michelle
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
He's a platelet maker!
Platelets climbed from 40,000 to 66,000. I've seen him make a lot of things, but this is a first!
He was moved from ICU to a regular room, which means he is stable (or they needed his bed!) Probably a little of both, but they would not have moved him if it was a risk, so we are fine with this. Mom is there with him now and she says he looks good to her. I'll bet!!
Surgery still on for Friday. We are all feeling strong, Dad included. Your prayers have no doubt helped us with that. Again, many thanks to all of you.
Please keep praying for peace of mind, strong bodies and a smooth road until Friday.
Cheers! Michelle
PS Some of you have asked me if my dad is "his old self". I'll let you decide based on an exchange between he and his nurse yesterday:
Dad: Resting comfortably, tucked nicely under his covers.
Nurse: "Al, I'd like to turn you, ok?"
Dad: "No"
Nurse: "Come on, Al"
Dad: "No, I'm comfortable just like this"
Nurse: "Al, I don't want to see your bed sores get any worse"
Dad: "Then close your eyes"
What do you think? :)
He was moved from ICU to a regular room, which means he is stable (or they needed his bed!) Probably a little of both, but they would not have moved him if it was a risk, so we are fine with this. Mom is there with him now and she says he looks good to her. I'll bet!!
Surgery still on for Friday. We are all feeling strong, Dad included. Your prayers have no doubt helped us with that. Again, many thanks to all of you.
Please keep praying for peace of mind, strong bodies and a smooth road until Friday.
Cheers! Michelle
PS Some of you have asked me if my dad is "his old self". I'll let you decide based on an exchange between he and his nurse yesterday:
Dad: Resting comfortably, tucked nicely under his covers.
Nurse: "Al, I'd like to turn you, ok?"
Dad: "No"
Nurse: "Come on, Al"
Dad: "No, I'm comfortable just like this"
Nurse: "Al, I don't want to see your bed sores get any worse"
Dad: "Then close your eyes"
What do you think? :)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday it is....
Surgery is now early afternoon Friday. He will be stronger by then and we will get to kick off our Labor Day Weekend with a good-bye gall bladder party. I've never hosted a gall bladder party, but one thing my family knows how to do is party, so I'm sure we'll figure it out! Good riddance, GB.
They postponed surgery due to a low platelet count. The hematologist feels they are low due to one of his antibiotics, so they have taken him off and hope to see the numbers rise on their own. Better to have his own platelets than someone else's, they say. Makes sense to me.
Dad had a quiet day. He was tired and slept most of the day. He was talking in his sleep and having some lovely dreams based on what we heard - he was enjoying a cold drink, eating fudge and taking pictures of us. I'm glad he was dreaming of things he likes to do! He'll be back to them soon enough.
He got a new fancy bed to help relieve some pressure on his back sores, we hope it helps.
At the end of the day he had a visit from Brian and Josh, which I'm sure he enjoyed! I know it cheered my mom up as well. Thanks, guys :)
Make platelets, Dad, but just as importantly, enjoy your sweet dreams!
Love you lots, Michelle
They postponed surgery due to a low platelet count. The hematologist feels they are low due to one of his antibiotics, so they have taken him off and hope to see the numbers rise on their own. Better to have his own platelets than someone else's, they say. Makes sense to me.
Dad had a quiet day. He was tired and slept most of the day. He was talking in his sleep and having some lovely dreams based on what we heard - he was enjoying a cold drink, eating fudge and taking pictures of us. I'm glad he was dreaming of things he likes to do! He'll be back to them soon enough.
He got a new fancy bed to help relieve some pressure on his back sores, we hope it helps.
At the end of the day he had a visit from Brian and Josh, which I'm sure he enjoyed! I know it cheered my mom up as well. Thanks, guys :)
Make platelets, Dad, but just as importantly, enjoy your sweet dreams!
Love you lots, Michelle
Not today...
We are waiting to talk to his surgeon, but it seems that he would like dad's platelets to come up on their own.
Surgery is now tentatively scheduled for Friday.
More news later.
xo
Surgery is now tentatively scheduled for Friday.
More news later.
xo
Monday, August 25, 2008
Bye-bye Gall Bladder! Hello, Healing!
Dad is 99% sure, scheduled for surgery this afternoon. Not sure exactly what time yet. His platelets are a little low but they will probably just give him some and do what they need to do to get rid of that nasty gall bladder.
We just know it's what he needs to really begin healing. His doctors and nurses are wonderful and we are confident that they will do an excellent job.
Michael and I are heading up this morning. He likes to look into the doctor's souls and make sure they realize just how important my dad is before they start working on him. Me, I have other jobs, as you know.
No worries. We've done this before and the results were better than expected. This will be no different.
We're all right there with you, dad. Looking forward to seeing you in recovery!
xo
We just know it's what he needs to really begin healing. His doctors and nurses are wonderful and we are confident that they will do an excellent job.
Michael and I are heading up this morning. He likes to look into the doctor's souls and make sure they realize just how important my dad is before they start working on him. Me, I have other jobs, as you know.
No worries. We've done this before and the results were better than expected. This will be no different.
We're all right there with you, dad. Looking forward to seeing you in recovery!
xo
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