Ron has had a hematoma (basically an internal bruise or pocket of old blood) beneath his scar since his last surgery Dec 10. It has caused frequent oozing from his scar but we were told it would resolve on it's own over time. This morning (before 8AM) one of the surgeon's who works with Dr. Shires came in and immediately set about removing the staples; pressing on abdomen to get some of the dissolving hematoma to come out and then stitched it back up! Unfortunately, there was no warning for Ron and he didn't have much time to hit his pain button; they did numb it a little with lidocaine but it was still pretty painful. He's been sore all day! Getting rid of the extra fluid though has caused him to be able to breathe more easily.
Early afternoon both physical therapy and occupational therapy came in...they got Ron up on the side of the bed and even had him stand for a couple of minutes. He then sat on the side of the bed while he got a real hair washing!!! The whole experience was hard on him, very tiring but also felt good to be up some. (He hasn't been up since the day before last surgery, so Dec. 9). Since he had the little crash before his last surgery, they had to pump him up with lots of IV fluids; so again he is retaining alot and his legs are huge!!! This makes his legs so heavy and very difficult to move. Please pray that the swelling will decrease without the use of meds...they don't want him to be on any diuretics at this time and he's very uncomfortable! After all the activity, he slept quite a bit of the afternoon.
This evening they were changing out the dressings on both his PICC line and Central line. And preparing him for another CT scan early tomorrow morning. They will be doing CT scans and/or fistulograms every few days for a while.
His blood count has been good @9; white blood count staying in low 20,000's and creatnine was .09!!! Praise God!!!! Don't know I've ever heard his being this low! So many small things to be thankful for!
Blood pressure has been good but heart rate has been a little too low (although after PT and OT today it has remained more normal and steady). Please pray his heart rate will continue to stabilize; and blood pressure remain stable.
We've had phone calls checking on Ron from both Joy (our liason nurse with Harris HEB's ICU!) and Dr. Elieson...what a wonderfully caring group of people.
Thanks for your daily prayer support! We appreciate each of you!
Love,
Christie, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you." I Peter 4:19 NLT
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