Sunday, August 31, 2008
Uncle Keith
This morning Vicki and Jack got the sad news that Vicki's Uncle Keith had passed away. Keith had been in declining health for some time and hospitalized for the last several weeks.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones, especially Cindy who loved and cared for him so long and so well.
All's Well, Pretty Much
I went to the hospital for several hours on Saturday to see Vicki. She seems pretty stable and it not suffering any side effects except for a rash she developed a couple of days ago. They're attributing it to the antibiotic they've had her on for her diverticulitis and so they took her off it. So far so good as she's had no more gut pains. Hopefully the diverticulitis has been knocked out for the time being. They're hoping that with the elimination of the antibiotic the rash will subside and fade away.
Other than that, she's very tired and run down. That's to be expected as she tries to build her blood cells back up. They were going to give her some more platelets after I left which usually makes her feel somewhat better.
Jack improves little by little every day. He has received some paper work from the Cardiac Rehab folks and once he fills it out, he should be able to start the program. His heart surgeon did not give him the go-ahead to start driving again but next Wednesday, he'll be four weeks post-op and that's when most people get the okay. He plans to pose the question again at that time.
Other than that, she's very tired and run down. That's to be expected as she tries to build her blood cells back up. They were going to give her some more platelets after I left which usually makes her feel somewhat better.
Jack improves little by little every day. He has received some paper work from the Cardiac Rehab folks and once he fills it out, he should be able to start the program. His heart surgeon did not give him the go-ahead to start driving again but next Wednesday, he'll be four weeks post-op and that's when most people get the okay. He plans to pose the question again at that time.
Friday, August 29, 2008
What's Up with Vicki and Jack?
Well, I'm not sure. I haven't been able to get over to the hospital in the last two days and Vicki and I have been playing phone tag. I think if there'd been any back sliding I would have heard about it.
Tomorrow, I'm going to spend a good deal of time at the hospital so you can depend on an update.
Tomorrow, I'm going to spend a good deal of time at the hospital so you can depend on an update.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Allelujah!
I don't usually post until later in the day but the news is too good to wait. After we left the hospital last night, our Vicki got in touch with a friend of hers (another Vicky) who's been an oncology nurse for many years. Afterwards, Vicky called our Vicki's oncologist and talked to him about what had been going on. As a result, Vicki's pain medication was switched from morphine to dilaudid and she's also taking Xanax for anxiety.
When I talked to Jack this morning, he said Vicki had gotten a good night's sleep without interruption from pain. She woke up and had breakfast and is feeling infinitely better. Her BP at 11 am was 123/72 and her temperature was 97.3 And here's the most telling sign: she's ordering people around and once again making lists for Jack (although he said she's now started a list for me, too).
I know that I feel better, Jack feels better (he even went out for a walk) and most importantly, Vicki feels better.
Thank you Vicky!
When I talked to Jack this morning, he said Vicki had gotten a good night's sleep without interruption from pain. She woke up and had breakfast and is feeling infinitely better. Her BP at 11 am was 123/72 and her temperature was 97.3 And here's the most telling sign: she's ordering people around and once again making lists for Jack (although he said she's now started a list for me, too).
I know that I feel better, Jack feels better (he even went out for a walk) and most importantly, Vicki feels better.
Thank you Vicky!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Bad Day for Vicki
Apparently, the nausea and headache started fairly early in the morning to the point where one of her doctors ordered a head CT (results unknown as yet). She was somewhat better and able to eat lunch. However, after lunch the headaches came back with a vengence. They need to keep an eye on her blood pressure to make sure it's not too high and not too low when they give her pain medication. Mid afternoon they did her morphine (which makes a big difference about 15 minutes after it's administered) and some platelets. By about 4 pm she was much improved and she, Jack and I watched some "Best of Johnny Carson" videos and laughed like fools. She was about to have dinner when we left tonight and I hope she has a good night.
Say extra prayers tonight, please.
Say extra prayers tonight, please.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Vicki and Jack Updates
Vicki
Yes, the last of the chemo bags is gone but Vicki continues to get antibiotics and morphine for her diverticulitis. She's been seen by a cardiologist for her blood pressure. They're experimenting with the doses. It's a delicate balance between keeping her blood pressure down but not letting it drop too low. We'll just have to see how things go.
Jack
He had his first post-op appointment with his cardiologist; well, actually he saw a Physician's Assistant. His heart and lungs sound good though they're upping his beta blocker a bit since his heart rate was a little higher than they'd like it to be. His chest wall around his incision looks good and stable so the PA is going to get the ball rolling on Cardiac Rehab for him. Jack is really looking forward to that.
The other pressing questions are (1) when can he get back in the saddle again [i.e. start driving] and (2) is it okay for him to begin walking the dogs, Phin and Leo, again. It turns out that that decision is up to his surgeon but the PA thought that most likely Jack will get the okay to resume both. I think the inability to drive has been one of Jack's biggest frustrations.
So keep the good thoughts going!
Yes, the last of the chemo bags is gone but Vicki continues to get antibiotics and morphine for her diverticulitis. She's been seen by a cardiologist for her blood pressure. They're experimenting with the doses. It's a delicate balance between keeping her blood pressure down but not letting it drop too low. We'll just have to see how things go.
Jack
He had his first post-op appointment with his cardiologist; well, actually he saw a Physician's Assistant. His heart and lungs sound good though they're upping his beta blocker a bit since his heart rate was a little higher than they'd like it to be. His chest wall around his incision looks good and stable so the PA is going to get the ball rolling on Cardiac Rehab for him. Jack is really looking forward to that.
The other pressing questions are (1) when can he get back in the saddle again [i.e. start driving] and (2) is it okay for him to begin walking the dogs, Phin and Leo, again. It turns out that that decision is up to his surgeon but the PA thought that most likely Jack will get the okay to resume both. I think the inability to drive has been one of Jack's biggest frustrations.
So keep the good thoughts going!
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