Recovery Day 24 - Home Again

Dad is headed home as I write this post.  Mom, Melody and Dennis made the trip down to get him.  Mom said the doctors and nurses lined up and told him they didn't want to see him back. 

Mom said she walked in his room earlier today and didn't hardly recognize him.  He has a 10 day growth of whiskers and is getting that Santa Claus look (without the pot belly). 

I've never seen Dad with a beard before.  Always clean shaven.

 

Dad is still on a pureed/liquid type diet, and he will have 5-6 small portions per day.  No steak dinners for a while, but time and patience will see him there again.  He is due to travel back for a check-up in a few weeks.  Thanks again to all who have prayed and helped over the past month.

It appears that Dad still has his sense of humor.  That's his famous 'claw' wave.

Recovery Day 21

Well, we are thankful for the progress that Dad is making.  Early yesterday morning his NG tube was removed and he was able to start on a clear liquid diet.  This is the first thing to hit his stomach in over a week, so the staff at the hospital are being extremely conservative.  I spoke with him this morning and he told me, "they won't even let me have a cracker".

Dad is geting a little stronger every day. Yesterday he was up to 5 exercise sessions and making better speed on each lap around the floor.

I just talked with Melody and she said Dad is very discouraged with his lack of progress.  He was given a high protein drink today, but couldn't get it down without upsetting his stomach.  So for now, he continues the bland liquid diet and receives the actual nourishment via catheter.

Thank you for your continued prayers.  Please pray specifically that Dad's stomach will wake up and smell the coffee.  He needs nourishment by mouth in order to have the catheter removed.  Also,  please pray for his spirit, as well as Mom's, that they both would be encouraged and strengthened.

Recovery Day 18

I'm writing this from Georgia with input from Dad and Mom.  Dad should have the NG tube in place for another two days.  Dr. Visser stressed patience with the process, but I think Dad is still a little discouraged.  His stomach will be x-rayed soon with the tube in place to make sure suitable progress has been made.  They are trying to avoid re-inserting the tube once it is removed.

Dad's last x-ray was this past Tuesday.  The process was slow and there was a lot of waiting down in the x-ray department.  To say "we're sorry to make you wait", the hospital gave Dad a $5 gift card for Chevron gasoline.  Not something you expect out of your hospital.

The main prayer request is for Dad's stomach to begin operating on it's own with reintroduction of foods later this week.  Also, that the abdominal spasms that he is still experiencing will subside.

Recovery Day 16 - Sacramento Airport

Today's the day I head home.  I hate to leave without Dad being settled at home, but Mom has a very strong support group around her.  The 'Shuffle Board Gang' (I've heard gangs are a real problem in this area) has talked about going down to see Dad this week.  Others have called to offer Mom their time and energy for whatever is needed. Although I'd like to be here personally,  Dad and Mom have a terrific group of friends who will quickly step in to help  --- and for that I am very grateful.

We did get to talk to Dad's surgeon last night before heading home.  The stomach issue that Dad is experiencing is encountered in about 15% of his cases, and while frustrating, will not prevent a full recovery in time.  He admitted that he didn't have all the answers as to why Dad's stomach was so slow in emptying, or why Dad was still experiencing hiccups.  He did stress patience in following the protocol that would yield the best chance of recovery, and that this too shall pass.

Here is what Mom wanted me to say.  Many of you have been lifting Dad up to the Lord in prayer.  Dr. Visser may not have all the answers, but we know that Dad's Heavenly Father is not surprised by any of this and has Dad right where he needs to be.  We really can rest in this  -  God really is God, and we trust Him.  Thank you all for prayers on Dad's behalf.

Recovery Day 15

Mom and I came to visit with Dad today.  He is very uncomfortable talking, so we are reading his comments as he writes them.  He has pretty crummy handwriting when he's feeling good.  Not much conversation taking place, but we are able to walk with him and show him we love him.

He's due to have the stomach line for 1 or 2 more days, then a day of rest, then reintroduction of foods.  Please pray that his stomach responds.  He is getting nourishment via a catheter that runs from under his left bicep through a main artery to his chest area.

I'm sure many of you thought I was joking about the dog and the recliner.  Not so. See??

 

Bella on her throne after her daily mid-day
snack of ham.

 I have finished the chores Dad gave me to do.  The shed has a fresh coat of paint and I was able to patch a couple of holes in the roof as well.

I told Jessica I am happy to let our painter continue
 to do the painting on our jobs.  Omar, your job is not at risk.

 

One more note before I leave.  Mom took me out for the absolute world's best lunch the other day.  I'm not just being kind  -  this was legit.  See below and drool.

This is a landmark in downtown Sacramento.

 

This is a dungenous crab sandwich  -  no fillers.  As good as it gets.
 

 

Mine is the big one. A Jersey sundae.  Toasted almond ice cream with chocolate/malted whipped cream.
 

This lunch would be perfect for a 26 year old.  I am 30 years too late, but it was good anyway.  Thanks Mom.

Recovery Day 14

Dad is still at Stanford.  We are still at home in Cameron Park.  We have not had an update from his surgical team since Tuesday afternoon.  His nurse reported today that he is sleeping well even with the NG tube still in place.  We've talked with Dad by phone a couple of times, but it's a bit of an effort for him.  We're content to let him rest and recover for now.

This shed has now been fully repainted for Dad.

We plan on going down to see him tomorrow, and then Saturday is my scheduled departure.  I have about finished the repairs/chores Dad gave me to do (at my request).  I've painted a shed for him and helped to clean up the garden.

Mom may be short, but Dad's sunflowers are still on the huge side.

Recovery Day 13 - Back to Stanford

Dad is back at Stanford Medical Center.  He fought abdominal muscle spasms for several days which left him exhausted as he was unable to sleep and us at a loss as to what to do for him.  After several phone consults, we returned to Palo Alto for a CT scan.  It showed Dad's stomach packed with food and nearly 4 times it's normal size.

Dad was readmitted to the hospital yesterday at about 5 pm.  He was fitted with a tube which went through the nose into the stomach.  It has been about 22 hours and the staff is still slowly pumping out the contents of Dad's stomach.  This is tricky business so soon after stomach surgery, but things are working as they should and Dad is resting much better.

Melody, Mom and I came home last night. We did not expect a readmission and were not prepared to stay for several days.  The doctors initially said 4-5 days of treatment, but are waiting for an update now.We plan to go back down on Friday.

Please pray that Dad's stomach will begin to work as it should and that his strength will return.