Dan continues to make progress each day. he is walking more, drinking more, taking less pain medication because he is having less pain! So great news! Ashley gets you up to date on the rest:
monday, january 11, 2010
Stanford and Family Care
Good things are happening today.
Dan's foley came out, his IV fluids were decreased, he's drinking more fluids (without stomach cramping), and he's walked 3 times already today. His labs are improving also, especially his liver function tests. His hematocrit is still low (24), but the surgeon is pretty sure it's due to the amount of fluids he's received the past few days. McGreeky was actually happy with Dan's progress, which was great to hear. He lowered his PCA dose to try to wean him down slowly. Now, we're just waiting for bowel sounds to return.
I just got back from the Sizelove's house where I took a shower and a nap. Thought I should reassure our friends and family that yes, I am taking care of myself, too. Dan is sleeping right now. He seems to have tired himself out from all the walking. When I left, he was going to sleep. When I got back, he was going to sleep again. All part of the healing process.
Stanford is a great hospital, but Dan and I have discovered a bone to pick with them...they do not like family staying overnight.
This is odd to me because the hospital where I work has couches built into the wall that fold into cots. Throughout nursing school, we have been told that caring for the patient means caring for the family also. Well, Stanford is struggling with this a bit.
Last night, I made up my "bed" and went to sleep. At 11:15p, the new nurse told me I had to leave. Dan got upset and told her why I needed to stay. She checked with the charge nurse who agreed to let me stay. I'm not sure if she agreed because it was late or if Dan had made a good point. So, it looks like it's going to be a fight every night. I think (think) I could handle leaving late and coming back early before the docs arrive, but Dan really doesn't want me to leave. Keep that in your prayers please, for Dan's sake.
Prayer Requests:
* Continuing improvement of labs, pain and movement
* Appearance of bowel sounds
* Understanding charge nurse who will let me stay with Dan throughout his hospitalization
* Quick recovery...much more quick than the doctors expect
Col 1:9-12 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
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