11/4/13

Short Update

Still spending my days at the hospital. I've been getting there as early as I can while still maintaining something resembling a household at home, and then staying until 5:00 (with standard time, now 4:00) when I need to come home to get the kitties in the house. We don't let them out after dark.

The good news is that Mike's white cell count continues to decrease, and today, he was able to eat the first near-food items that he's had since Saturday, October 26th. He is on full liquids now, which just means they've added some milk-based items to his pretty much fluid-only diet. Here, he's enjoying his first food in what seems like a year.


They're also giving him TPN (more info here), which is infused over a 24-hour period. That was started last night, and he'll get another bag tonight, which will run through tomorrow evening. The goal is to make certain he's able to tolerate enough caloric intake to maintain health before he's able to return home.

I can't say enough good things about his doctor, Dr. Janelle Yutzie, who has been attentive, kind, and extremely competent throughout this ordeal. He looks pretty good in that picture above, but when he first met Dr. Yutzie, he was looking like death warmed over. It was luck of the draw when we arrived in the ER a week ago, and he really drew a great doc. The rest of the staff at the hospital have been similarly excellent. It certainly has eased my mind to know that he is in such capable and caring hands when I can't be around to watch over him.

So that's about the scope of my world these days. I caught up on some magazines today, and I've been stitching like crazy. If he doesn't come home soon, I'm going to have to make up a new stitchery to work on.

Thank you all for your kind and supportive comments and your healing thoughts and prayers. It has made the past week a little less lonely to have such a caring online community of friends.

26 comments:

Sheila said...

Glad to hear that your husband is improving every day. I'm sure he can not wait to get out of there. Take care.

ytsmom said...

TPN! Been there done that, hope I never have to do it again! But, if that is what it takes to get him home . . . Hope things continue to get better. I'm sure Gracie and Smitty miss their Dad!!

lroghair/lparks said...

I'm so glad he's feeling better. Prayers have been coming your way.

Chris said...

Wow.....what a difference a week can make. Hubby looks good, Barbara. Good for you.....keeping yourself on an even keel and not wearing yourself out.

Judy1522 said...

Glad he is better and he is smiling.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

He's sitting up and he's smiling - whoot! Still sending many prayers and blessings to you both.

Lyndsey said...

Mike is looking pretty good. The TPN will make good the malnourishment suffered from not being able to eat and should make him feel stronger and add his recovery. The doctors, hospital staff and you have done a great job. Thoughts and prayers still flying over the Atlantic to you both.

On the plus side you are whizzing along on your stitchery but I think you'd better be prepared for a grumpy sewing machine when you get back to using it.

Karen said...

This is good news.

Ann said...

Good news. So glad yo hear it. Hoping Mike's health improves and he is home soon.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Super News! Glad he's doing better.

Jeanie said...

Glad to hear that things are still on the right recovery track! This has been quite an ordeal for all of you, cats included. Hopefully, you will all be back to a normal life very soon. I think we can forget how quickly life can change and this makes us all take a minute to be grateful for everything that we have a tendency to take for granted. Hang tough!

gpc said...

He looks great - yay! This has been a lot of stress for you, too -- remember to take extra good care of yourself! :)

Quilting Babcia said...

The picture says it all, except maybe for the smile on the gal behind the camera! We're all so happy to hear this good news at last and wish Mike a speedy return to good health now that he's turned the corner.

Pieces to Love said...

Glad to see him up. I hope he gets to come home soon, I'm sure the fur babies miss him.

Snoodles said...

Oh boy! What a smile - that says so much! Such great news....prayers have been answered. Glad that you have had good doctors; sometimes that is a huge battle in itself. Still praying and hoping he comes home asap!

WoolenSails said...

I am happy to hear that he is doing so much better and I can see he seems happier too. Prayers that everything goes well and he can come home soon.

Debbie

Junebug613 said...

Mike looks great! Thanks for keeping us informed and included. Wish I were close, so I could give you a big hug! It's amazing how just having the peace of mind that he's in such good hands, can help get you through some of the worry. Glad he got such a wonderful doctor. Tell him that the solid foods haven't been going to waste, I've probably been eating a good share for him! LOL Hang in there! It's good that you are able to keep yourself busy, while you keep him company. My Bruce can't sit still very long and would be out of his mind if he had to hang around the hospital too long.

sunny said...

He's looking good. And Good looking, I might add. Prayers continue for his improvement!

Tami C said...

So glad that Mike's health is continuing to improve! It really shows in his smile. It's good to hear that you are taking care of yourself as well. The wonderful help at the hospital has to make you feel better. I'm sure Gracie is looking forward to Mike's return. Still sending prayers and good thoughts to you both.

Lisa said...

YEAH! He looks great with all he has been through. Tell him we are so HAPPY that he is being blessed and is getting better!

Pattilou said...

Mike is looking great! Surely hope he is home soon.

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

Oh Mike looks so good sitting up and all! What a relief this must be for you. I know the days are long and daytime TV is awful so I'm glad you have your needle work to help pass the time. I wish I could keep you company too but I'm there in thought, best wishes.

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Yes, indeed, he looks pretty well considering all he's been thru. Good to hear that you are taking care of you; last thing you need is to come down with something too.

Brown Family said...

It is always a chance with ER Dr's. We got good ones two when we had to b

Anonymous said...

Glad to know he is doing better, and yes he does look pretty well. Thankful for answered prayers. Will continue to keep you all in my prayers.

quiltzyx said...

Hugs to Dr. Yutzie for taking, along with the other hospital staff, such great care of Mike!