It's Friday and Dave is back home. It has been a really long day. This morning I met with the dietician about Dave's new diet. His diet will be mainly liquids and soft food (frequently and in very small quantities) for 4-6 more weeks with tube feeding for 10 hours every night.
After meeting with the dietician, I learned how to change the dressings on his incisions and around his drainage tubes. I also have to empty the drainage tubes several times a day, each day recording the volume from each tube and a description of the fluid. We also have to chart how much he pees to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated, but he gets to keep track of that all by himself. After that it was learning how to flush his j-tube (feeding tube) and then how to give him all the meds he needs through the tube (some of the meds are pills that have to be crushed and mixed with water).
We got home around 2:00 this afternoon. Shortly after that, a nurse from the home health care agency came by with about 900 boxes of crap for his tube feedings. Did I say that? Of course, I know it's all necessary, but almost all of the supplies are "disposable" so it's just astounding how much gear and how many supplies we need (and that's for only a couple weeks - they'll be sending us more boxes by Fed Ex every week).
I'm so slow handling everything right now that I feel like by the time I've finished with meds and cleaned everything up, it's almost time for another round of something else. I just got him put to bed with his "dinner" and I'd love to climb into bed, but he's due for a bunch of other stuff at midnight so I'm just staying up for that extra hour (oh, and there was half a carton of Ben & Jerry's Karamel Sutra in the freezer begging to be eaten so I couldn't have gone to bed yet anyway).
Hopefully over the next couple of days I'll get quicker and more organized with everything and get some of the dosing schedules better coordinated.
That's really about it for tonight. Wow, I must really be tired. I just noticed I put two words in quote marks, which I never do.
11 comments:
Wow...glad to hear Dave is home. That's such good news! Sounds like you'll be really busy Shannon...remember to rest when you can. hhmmm...4-6 weeks of liquid and soft food. That'll be just in time for a dog and a beer at a baseball game:) Dave...it was good to hear your voice the other night. We'll call you soon.
Heeyy!!! Home sweet home !!! k, so i'm blogger challenged but i figured out how to leave a comment..pure genius. Haha. Anyway, He looks amazing in that picture !!! Glowing even. Is Bess & Judy there to help w/.....everything? Dad seems to think I'm a good nurse, I think I'm just good at following directions = ) When should I come out there? Next thurs nite march 1st or the following week mar. 8th. Unfortunately I can't stay too long and I have to bring D'Nichi with me but I commit to being of use somehow. = ) The blog thing is great !!! So nice to know whats going on !! Love to all of you & I'll call to see when I should come out!!! Hope everyones a lil more comfi at home = )
Dave,no better place to rest and recover than home sweet home. Shannon, you take good care of yourself too. Rest when ya can. Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Congrats on what seems to be a great recovery. Both your strengths are incredible.
Cheers,
Jeff & Cryss.
Best news I've heard all day - hooray!!
Running through Stanley Park this morning, it is the holiest of runs for me (downed trees, crumbled seawall and all) - I couldn't help but direct that beauty and energy to your family, for whatever strength it's worth...
Hospitals are where people recover, people heal at home - Dave is back where he belongs, amazing...
Shannon, I can't imagine how overwhelming this must seem at the moment, but it will become mundane before you know it. Rest, go for walks, eat Ben & Jerry's, have a glass of wine (and a second when you want one) - let other's nurture you... pace yourself - this is a marathon, not a sprinting event :)...
Love to you both, jorm
So glad David's back home! Good good news.
I know, more work for you right now Shannon, but don't worry; you are one capable woman. And like Jormain said, take care of yourself too... don't forget you're going through a lot right now.
David, every day I know you are getting stronger. Be well.
Shannon and Dave:
Don't worry, the feedings, the meds and all the rest become second nature very quickly. Just being home will show some great leaps in healing...the hospital is not the best place for such things. It took a few days to get used to using the J-tube, to find a way to get comfortable in bed, etc. But it is so much better than being in the hospital. Dave has come through on the other side of all this and he will be getting better before your eyes. Trust me, I have been there. It will take time, but it will happen.
All the best to you both.
Paul.
Yay, Dave is home! I think... Shannon you have your work cut out for you. I hope there are some people helping you!! Please don't forget to be very careful with all of Dave's tubes and dressing. Always always must be aseptic. The biggest threat to Dave right now is infection so I hope you follow to a tee. Dave, looking good, bro!
More to come...
xo,
- Anne from Hawaii
Dave & Shannon Ciao
Was such a nice surprise, nice to chat with you just before Shannon picked you up on Thursday? I lost track of your progress, as I was not yet on the Blog. Thanks for putting this Blog together and keeping it up, so we, your friends can stay in touch and know when we can help. I am blown away at the stories and progress you all have accomplished. The wood shop, as always is going fine, and we at the shop and extended shops have all taken a moment in time to send you the best energy. Strength you have in helping create at the Co-op.
I left a message at your home to have me on the emergency home or Ben and Jerry run.
I will not be in Italy till end of June this year so call anytime 206 235 1357.Look forward to seeing you when your up for it.
Love Terry
< Bergamin Fortunati >
Tell Dave that I love him and to stay strong. I love you too, Shannon and I'm always here for you guys. If you need anymore help, just call us. I'd be happy to babysit for free next time. Just call me. Love you all soooo much!
Dave and Shan...
Very inspiring performance, you guys! My prayers are with you.
I'll get some fresh listening material to you this week, Dave.
Rog
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