There's not much new to say. Overall, it's been a pretty uneventful couple of days (no complaints here). Dave is still pretty miserable with the new drain they put in his back. They put him back on the morphine, but fortunately it was just for one day and he mainly seemed tired and groggy and not as loopy as before.
Finally, after a couple days of complaining about the discomfort, they put an extension on the drain to get some of the bulk of it around to his side rather than pinned underneath him.
He has graduated from clear liquids to the full liquid diet, so he can now have small amounts of cream soups, milkshakes, yogurt, etc. He has to take it slowly to make sure he doesn't have any nausea and that he doesn't start accumulating more fluid in his abdomen. (And, while I'm thinking about it, thank you Paul for every one of your posts. It's really reassuring to me - and others have mentioned it as well - to know you've been through this and that none of these complications are uncommon when recovering from this surgery.)
Dave's doctor said he might be coming home on Tuesday. A piece of me wonders if they are just trying to let him down gently by pushing his release back a day or two at a time rather than saying it will be another week or so. At this point, I guess it will really depend on how he tolerates the full liquid diet and when they can pull the drain out of his back.
It didn't feel like St. Patrick's Day without Dave at home. For as long as I've known him, we've celebrated St. Paddy's Day (usually with my parents) with a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef, cabbage, and grossly overcooked vegetables. I always get out my bent spoon and pour a couple Black & Tans. Tonight, a really great friend came over and cooked me a fantastic dinner, but I couldn't help thinking about Dave and wondering if his dinner consisted of green Jello. As we sat down to dinner, Elise and I put our mugs of Guinness together in a toast to Dave getting home and getting healthy.
Finally, after a couple days of complaining about the discomfort, they put an extension on the drain to get some of the bulk of it around to his side rather than pinned underneath him.
He has graduated from clear liquids to the full liquid diet, so he can now have small amounts of cream soups, milkshakes, yogurt, etc. He has to take it slowly to make sure he doesn't have any nausea and that he doesn't start accumulating more fluid in his abdomen. (And, while I'm thinking about it, thank you Paul for every one of your posts. It's really reassuring to me - and others have mentioned it as well - to know you've been through this and that none of these complications are uncommon when recovering from this surgery.)
Dave's doctor said he might be coming home on Tuesday. A piece of me wonders if they are just trying to let him down gently by pushing his release back a day or two at a time rather than saying it will be another week or so. At this point, I guess it will really depend on how he tolerates the full liquid diet and when they can pull the drain out of his back.
It didn't feel like St. Patrick's Day without Dave at home. For as long as I've known him, we've celebrated St. Paddy's Day (usually with my parents) with a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef, cabbage, and grossly overcooked vegetables. I always get out my bent spoon and pour a couple Black & Tans. Tonight, a really great friend came over and cooked me a fantastic dinner, but I couldn't help thinking about Dave and wondering if his dinner consisted of green Jello. As we sat down to dinner, Elise and I put our mugs of Guinness together in a toast to Dave getting home and getting healthy.
4 comments:
Shannon and Dave:
First, I appreciate the nod, but know that I mean all that I say. This is all just stuff you will look back on. I will hit five years next month and although some things (body weight and some eating things) are still not the same, I wouldn't trade a day of it. Loved ones make it all the more precious. You will find that once fluid areas are dealt with they tend to heal up fast...so you may see Dave home on schedule yet. You have my number, so when that happens, feel free to call with questions. I am more than happy to help.
Paul.
You should know that Cryss. and I are thinking of you both, we were just reminissing (sp?) back to the St. Paddy night a couple years ago at the Owl and Thistle with you and Dave. We plan on doing that again, in fact they have good liquid there! Anyway, we are keeping you both in our prayers and know that you are receiving strength from all those around you. Keep up the good fight!!
Jeff & Cryss.
Even those of us far away read what Paul says and are comforted by it.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for David's homecoming next week.
Spring is almost here!
I'd also like to thank Paul. I know that when I saw Dave before the surgery he was so thankful to have you at that point to know what to expect. It's wonderful for us all to know that fluid pockets are normal and something you just need to let heal. My thoughts are with you and Dave, Shan. You are doing an awesome job managing this all. Give Dave a kiss and hug from us.
Cindy
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