Having to spend a least one more day in ICU because of dehydration. We were sure hoping to get him moved this afternoon, but the Dr. felt otherwise. The Dr. said the dehydration can be caused by a number of things--the surgery and trauma to the body, and the chest tube. More fluids are being pumped in, hoping that will take care of it. Maybe tomorrow.
I'll let you know,
Kim
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
All Things Considered
Still in ICU, and things are going as well as can be expected--all things considered. He's restless this afternoon, which I'm blaming on the fact that he's once again on narcotics (as he puts it). Pumping the morphine quite frequently, so the pain must be pretty intense. He says he can't stand the "loopy" feeling that the morphine causes, but the pain is too much. He trying to find that happy medium.
The Dr. is saying, possibly tomorrow he'll be moved from ICU. The Dr. also informed him today that during surgery a small section of one of the ribs was cut out so the Dr. could access the area of the lung he needed to without breaking the rib. Sounds terrible, but the Dr. also said you'd never know it if you weren't told. We'll see about that. Along with that, muscle also had to be cut. Just knowing this would make me restless. Last surgery, they were able to access the nodule without having to do this.
From experience, we knew these first 2-3 days wouldn't be easy ones, but things will get better.
Love you all,
Kim
The Dr. is saying, possibly tomorrow he'll be moved from ICU. The Dr. also informed him today that during surgery a small section of one of the ribs was cut out so the Dr. could access the area of the lung he needed to without breaking the rib. Sounds terrible, but the Dr. also said you'd never know it if you weren't told. We'll see about that. Along with that, muscle also had to be cut. Just knowing this would make me restless. Last surgery, they were able to access the nodule without having to do this.
From experience, we knew these first 2-3 days wouldn't be easy ones, but things will get better.
Love you all,
Kim
Friday, November 6, 2009
Out of Surgery
Surgery took about 3 hours, the Dr. said there were no surprises, and that everything went well. Ray is now resting in ICU where he'll probably be for a couple days. It's going to be real interesting to see what kind of report we get back from pathology--which won't be for a few days. He'll be in the hospital for about 7-10 days.
More later,
Kim
More later,
Kim
It's a Go!
We arrived at day surgery at 5;30 this morning, the blood test shows he's in good shape for surgery. Around 6:45 he was whisked away for all the pre-op procedures. Surgery is still scheduled for 8:00. I'm guessing the surgery will last 2-3 hrs. from our experience last time. The Dr. didn't give an estimated time. I'll post again after surgery and I see the Dr.
Thanks for all your prayers,
Kim
Thanks for all your prayers,
Kim
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Correction
I need to correct one thing from yesterday's post. The blood levels will not be tested again until Fri. morn when we show up for surgery at 5:30. Only after the test is done, will it be determined whether surgery will be done then or postponed until Sat. Ray received a small I.V. injection of vitamin K this morning which is supposed to help get the PT/INR where it needs to be. Some thing else I didn't mention, Ray gives himself a shot each morning (in the belly)--meds that are going to have him ready for Friday morning.
The phone interview took place as scheduled, so we had the opportunity to speak with the transplant Dr. from Maryland today. He was so encouraging to talk to. We both were elated after speaking with him. He assured us both that this biopsy will go smoothly, and then we'll pursue getting to Bethesda, MD. We later heard from our case liaison, and she also had some great insight, advice and talked to us about the protocol for the transplant.
We have no appointments tomorrow. No sitting in a Dr.'s office or having blood drawn or waiting for test results. Ray plans to go flying with a good friend of his.
Love you all,
Kim
The phone interview took place as scheduled, so we had the opportunity to speak with the transplant Dr. from Maryland today. He was so encouraging to talk to. We both were elated after speaking with him. He assured us both that this biopsy will go smoothly, and then we'll pursue getting to Bethesda, MD. We later heard from our case liaison, and she also had some great insight, advice and talked to us about the protocol for the transplant.
We have no appointments tomorrow. No sitting in a Dr.'s office or having blood drawn or waiting for test results. Ray plans to go flying with a good friend of his.
Love you all,
Kim
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Friday or Saturday
We met with the surgeon and the oncologist for most of this morning looking over different views of the scan and discussing many options.
Looks as though we're headed to surgery--probably Friday morning but may be Saturday morning. Let me explain. A patient that is on blood thinners,as Ray is, cannot go into surgery without a "washout" period. For the next two days, his blood will be monitored (PT/INR) to be sure that level is at a safe level for surgery. If it is not by Thurs., the surgery will be postponed until Saturday, but we're aiming for Friday. Some of you may have more experience with blood thinners and understand this better than we do since we're still learning. For now, Ray just shows up when he's told to.
Now for the surgery: In a nutshell, he's pretty much having the same surgery, this time on the right lung, that he had on the left lung six weeks ago. At least two nodules will be removed. There was alot of medical jargon being tossed around, but I'll explain it the way I understand it. Both Drs. are confidant we're still dealing with a fungal infection. A fungus growing in this sort of environment (the inside of the lung) is very difficult to pinpoint and treat. Specifically because once it is removed from that environment where it is viable, it CAN change even to the point where it is no longer viable and it becomes impossible to get a good stain in the lab. No matter how fast it is rushed to the lab for pathology. With that in mind, this time more of the lung will be taken with it. Evidently there must be many different fungus/fungi. If you recall, six weeks ago the nodule in the left lung (rather than the right) was biopsied because it was easier to access. So doing the right lung is going to require a little more digging. The surgeon is hoping no muscles or bones will have to be cut.
How's Ray feeling and dealing with all this?? As far as how he's feeling, he's been doing amazingly well. He continues exercising every day--walking around the park (1 1/2 miles today) and spending time on the stationary bike. Dealing with it--after he agreed to go forth with the surgery, (the Dr. stepped out of the room) he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "You know, Kim we are so blessed" and then went on naming the many ways which we are so blessed.
During these past 15 months, I find myself repeating the quote Eva, a family friend and also a concentration camp survivor so frequently said, "Life is hard some of the time, but God is good all of the time."
Please continue to pray for us as we continue to thank God for each of you.
Love you all,
Kim
Looks as though we're headed to surgery--probably Friday morning but may be Saturday morning. Let me explain. A patient that is on blood thinners,as Ray is, cannot go into surgery without a "washout" period. For the next two days, his blood will be monitored (PT/INR) to be sure that level is at a safe level for surgery. If it is not by Thurs., the surgery will be postponed until Saturday, but we're aiming for Friday. Some of you may have more experience with blood thinners and understand this better than we do since we're still learning. For now, Ray just shows up when he's told to.
Now for the surgery: In a nutshell, he's pretty much having the same surgery, this time on the right lung, that he had on the left lung six weeks ago. At least two nodules will be removed. There was alot of medical jargon being tossed around, but I'll explain it the way I understand it. Both Drs. are confidant we're still dealing with a fungal infection. A fungus growing in this sort of environment (the inside of the lung) is very difficult to pinpoint and treat. Specifically because once it is removed from that environment where it is viable, it CAN change even to the point where it is no longer viable and it becomes impossible to get a good stain in the lab. No matter how fast it is rushed to the lab for pathology. With that in mind, this time more of the lung will be taken with it. Evidently there must be many different fungus/fungi. If you recall, six weeks ago the nodule in the left lung (rather than the right) was biopsied because it was easier to access. So doing the right lung is going to require a little more digging. The surgeon is hoping no muscles or bones will have to be cut.
How's Ray feeling and dealing with all this?? As far as how he's feeling, he's been doing amazingly well. He continues exercising every day--walking around the park (1 1/2 miles today) and spending time on the stationary bike. Dealing with it--after he agreed to go forth with the surgery, (the Dr. stepped out of the room) he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "You know, Kim we are so blessed" and then went on naming the many ways which we are so blessed.
During these past 15 months, I find myself repeating the quote Eva, a family friend and also a concentration camp survivor so frequently said, "Life is hard some of the time, but God is good all of the time."
Please continue to pray for us as we continue to thank God for each of you.
Love you all,
Kim
Monday, November 2, 2009
More Appts.
The phone interview (with the Maryland Dr.) that was to take place this afternoon had to be postponed until Wed. afternoon due to a conflict the Dr. had.
We received a call late this afternoon from one of Ray's Drs. asking him to be in his office at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Hopefully we'll find out something as to what's going on with the lungs and what the next plan of attack will be. After making and receiving a couple of phone calls today, we know nothing other than there's a 9:00 appt.
More later...
Kim
We received a call late this afternoon from one of Ray's Drs. asking him to be in his office at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Hopefully we'll find out something as to what's going on with the lungs and what the next plan of attack will be. After making and receiving a couple of phone calls today, we know nothing other than there's a 9:00 appt.
More later...
Kim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
