Wow! What a rough couple of days it's been! Last night was really bad...Ron did not sleep well at all...up 5 times in 12 hours vomitting. It was especially hard since Aaron & Kristin had come in town and they were only able to be here for 24 hours due to work; and he started getting sick about 30 minutes before they arrived..and then today as they were here he was dozing and doing some major hallucinating and "interactive" dreaming which was funny but can be a little disconcerting as well. And he continues to have some tremors.
You'd think since he hasn't eaten in over a week, there would be nothing there, but your body continues to produce bile even when there is nothing to digest. That bile has to go somewhere and since he's been on so many powerful meds his bowels still have not "awakened". And what can't go down comes back up! All this to say, decision was made to put an NG tube in.(tube that goes in through nose, down throat to suction stomach). Vomitting is never something you want to experience, but even worse when you have tremendous abdominal pain. NG tube will remain in indefinitely.
All this gross talk makes me think, I may need to have two different e-mail groups...one for those who want to hear all the gory details; and another list that feels this is TMI (too much information!) and just want the basic good day or bad! Let me know if you'd like to be placed on a TMI list, otherwise, everyone gets it all!!!
CT scan shows the pancreas is improving but definitely still extremely inflamed. They continue to monitor and support his other systems so now we wait...it's just a matter of time to allow pancreas to heal and no one can predict when that will be. He still is only allowed ice chips and popsicles and that will remain the same until the NG tube is removed. They have begun to supplement with another IV drip that replaces electrolytes and has some other nutrients. (For those of you who are medical geeks...it's not TPN...more nutrition than regular IV but less than TPN...this goes directly into IV line no central line needed)
Even though it's been rough, he is beginning to feel somewhat better this evening. The NG tube though never a pleasant experience has actually brought much relief from the nausea and knowing it's just a matter of time before another episode and some of the pressure in his abdomen has dissipated---pain level this afternoon has stayed @1-2 and he's only had 1 dose of Demerol!
So that's your medical lesson for the day; now things to pray for:
* pancreas inflammation to dramatically improve;
* bowel system to "wake up" and begin functioning;
* swelling in legs and feet to reduce (something new here...all the fluids to keep things flushed have begun to cause ALOT of swelling; as well as the fact IV fluid is high in sodium...it's a first to see Ron with fat legs and feet...you can barely see his ankles!)
* we will get some much-needed rest tonight;
* he will begin to regain strength;
* lungs will continue to be free of pneumonia
* kidney will continue to stay healthy
* for Ryan, Aaron & Kristin; it's hard for them to not be able to be here
** that God will bring a speedy, complete recovery **
Sounds a little overwhelming but our spirits are good after a much better evening. Thanks for continually supporting us in prayer.
Here's to a great weekend!
Christie
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory" Ephesians 3:20-21a
PS: Please forgive me for not passing on news about Aaron's appointment with the orthopedic surgeon...the tendon is not fully torn and they do not feel he needs surgery. He is to do passive range of motion activities and see him again in 3 weeks. It already looks and feels much better. Thanks for praying!
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