Grouchy is good

We just got home from visiting Bill in ICU. He was a bit grouchy today, but that is a good sign:) If I were in his shoes grouchy would not come close to describing my attitude. Bill may not be able to eat for another 3-7 days. Again, if I was the one not eating and knew that it may be DAYS before I could eat again, I think my visitors would be few and far between. The risk with eating and drinking is that it could cause Bill to vomit which would rupture his sutures and lead to serious problems. So, those lollipop looking sponges that soak up only a few drops of water at the time are the only thing that he can use to wet his mouth. We don't know when his digestive tract will be back up and running so it is just a waiting game. As the nurses said this evening, passing gas is what makes their day. Sorry Amy, TMI! Seriously though, the best sign for how things are healing is that gas can be passed through his system.

Anyhow, there were a few issues of concern today. Bill's oxygen levels were extremely low, along with very low blood pressure so they did two blood transfusions. After the first one his numbers went back up, but we left before the results were in after the last transfusion. The other issue of concern is that there is fluid on his lungs. They are going to keep an eye on it and he'll continue doing lung (breathing) exercises. He was able to get up and walk a little today and will hopefully get up and about some more tomorrow to prevent any blood clots. Dr. T came in just as we were leaving and his major concern is that the tubes that are flushing out his system stay in place. If one were to get pulled out by accident the new bladder would leak throughout his abdomen because it is not water tight yet. This makes me a little nervous knowing that he has an epidural and can't feel his abdomen, so he could inadvertently pull something out. He has to learn to flush the tubes on his own because one will stay in for three weeks and the other for six weeks.

I won't be able to visit tomorrow evening because we have parent conferences, but Rich will have a report for all of us. Until tomorrow....