Today was our weekly trip to Presbyterian for Interventional Radiology. It was an early morning for Ron, he had to get up by 8:45 (poor guy...ha!) First on the list was abdominal and pelvic CT scan. They got him in right away but then the wait began. Dr. Dittman (radiologist) came out at 11:30 (Ron's appointment was at 11) and said "Well, good news and bad,...there is a critical case coming in; good news is you are not that critical one anymore...but that means their case is an emergency and yours will be bumped back." So the 11:00 appointment turned into a 2:00 instead.
In the meantime, we did see Dr. Arslanlar (GI). He said blood tests look good; sugars are on the low side so plan is to decrease the insulin in the TPN; liver tests slightly increased but very mild, kidney function looks good.
We then went back to IR where I left Ron in the waiting area and headed to Dougherty's Pharmacy to get a refill on his lollipops; only place we could find that actually carries them. Since it is a narcotic, it cannot be a call-in refill, I must take the original triplicate prescription in and wait for it.
The fistula-gram did not take long and Ron came out with a huge grin...not the dopey "I'm on drugs grin" but the "WOO HOO, they took the drain tube out!" grin!!! CT showed the fistula (leak) was closed up with no indication of any cavity. And there had been absolutely NO output since they changed the tube last Wednesday. PRAISE GOD!!!!! The g-tube will stay in for a while.
The plan is:
Gastric-tube will be to gravity during the days and hooked up to suction device at night for the next 2 days (Wed/Thurs)
Then, g-tube will be to gravity the following 2 days (Fri/Sat)
On Sunday, g-tube will be totally clamped off.
Monday, HE WILL BEGIN EATING!!! (well, mainly drinking) Things will go slowly...fluids at first and then progressing over the next few weeks. Dr. Shires says, not having eaten since October, his stomach will be leathery and shrunken up dramatically. Basically, his body will have to learn to eat again and especially his intestines will have to learn how to deal with something (other than contrast!) progressing through them. Everyone is anxious to see how his body will respond...especially to see if his intestines will have normal function. He will continue on TPN to assure he is getting adequate nutrition throughout this process.
Next, we headed up to 6 West to celebrate with our friends there! They were so excited! Lots of hugs and laughing and plans to have a party when he progresses to a more regular diet.
We finally left Presbyterian at 4...just in time for the lovely Dallas traffic! We were both exhausted by the time we got home. Ron immediately headed for the recliner with a lollipop. Just as I brought in the last of the paraphernalia we drag with us everywhere we go, TPN and supplies arrived. After getting everything inventoried and stored away, I hit the recliner as well!
I cannot begin to tell you the JOY we are experiencing. GOD is so good!!! We know there may be some stumbling blocks along the way as the eating process begins but...we are finally seeing that there really is an end in sight!
Much love,
Christie
"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" I John 5:4
Trusting even when it appears you have been forsaken; praying when it seems your words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers; believing that God's love is complete and that He is aware of your circumstances, even when your world seems to grind on as if setting its own direction...desiring only what God's hands have planned for you; waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death, with your only fear being that your faith might fail--"that is the victory that has overcome the world"; this is genuine faith indeed. George MacDonald
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