Tues

Seems like a long time since I have blogged. Dan continues to improve in many ways, specifically that his GI tract is waking up! The pain and groggy issues are still problems and the doctors are trying some new things to help him be more alert and still have help with his pain. Ashley is UNBELIEVABLY WONDERFUL! Redefines the word helpmate in my book. Pray for good rest for both of them tonight, alertness and decreased pain for Dan and the ability to do the things he needs to do to get better: walk, breathe deeply, sit in a chair, breathe deeply and have a positive attitude in the midst of this difficult situation. We do praise God for all the progress Dan has made. Tough road!

Here are Ashley's last 2 blogs:
tuesday, january 12, 2010

Mind over matter
I was right. It was a rough night.

Dan continued to feel rather crappy and began having worse dreams. He would wake up disoriented and it would take me quite a while to pull him back to reality. He began to feel as though he was being spiritually attacked. I set out the word for prayer, and we're determining to rely on God's protection and guidance.

This morning, we talked to the surgeons about Dan's alertness (or lack thereof) and they changed his PCA from dilaudid to fentanyl. He's not sure it's working any better, but he a little more alert. When McGreeky came to visit he was happy to see Dan more awake. I suppose we'll have to wait out the day to make sure things are picking up. The surgeon wants to switch Dan to non-narcotic oral pain meds tomorrow...which would mean no IV pole sometimes!

Speaking of McGreeky, he was actually happy about most of what's going on with Dan. He began diuresing the built-up fluids in his body last night without the help of Lasix. Additionally, his drains are putting out far less, which leads the surgeon to believe that the anastomoses are healing and not leaking. This is a huge praise as this was one of his initial concerns right after the surgery. Dan's hematocrit is still low at 24(it's been bouncing between 24 and 27 for the last couple days), but the surgeon is still waiting for the diuresis to balance out his levels. Dan's diet was advanced to soft foods, but Dan has asked to be backed down a level to full liquids to protect his stomach. He's getting a little more bloated and much more uncomfortable. Still no bowel sounds or passing of gas. On a good note, Dan is rid of the oxygen!

A few words from Dan: "I'm hanging in there and will be back to new in no time. I need my digestive system to cooperate."

Dan has been told several times now that this recovery will be mainly mind over matter. Yes, he feels rotten and in pain, but he's got to push through. He's stubborn anyway, so we just need to focus that stubbornness in the direction of getting better.

Prayer Requests:
* Bowel sounds and passing of gas (The longer it doesn't happen, the more miserable he'll feel. It could also prevent him from getting discharged on time)
* Pain control on less medication
* Awake and alert most of the day, no confusion or nightmares at night
* Letting me stay the night to help Dan with frequent ups and downs
* Husband/wife communication

monday, january 11, 2010

Rough nights
Somehow, the days in the hospital seem to fly by. It's the nighttime that tends to bring along problems. Most of the day, Dan felt good. Able to drink fluids easily, walking often, using the PCA less. In the past couple hours or so, he has become lethargic, nauseous and dealing with more pain. We're waiting to see if he has a fever again, but he feels warm.

To be honest, I was getting a bit worried because he just dozes off mid-conversation. Sometimes, he'll say things that don't make sense, yet I'll ask him and he'll say he was dreaming. The nurse is calling the doctor eventually to see if there is a fluid or electrolyte issue. Earlier, his surgeon thought he was out of it and blamed the pain meds. I hope he's just overly tired, but it doesn't seem normal to me.

I get the feeling that this may be a long night.

Prayer Requests:
* Dan's nausea and fever do away for good
* Pain can be kept under control with less medicine
* The surgeon's prediction of "home in 4-5 days" proves true
* Nurses allow me to stay with Dan, especially when he feels so crappy
* No complications (bleeding, infection, etc)