I will try to make this short - had to go grocery shopping after the hospital and then did research so need to sleep soon.
The docs think that Doug is recovering. Slowly, very slowly. His heart is being supported by drugs to keep his blood pressure up, and by the pacemaker. The nurses are trying to slowly wean Doug off the BP meds as tolerated. Still trying to make a definitive diagnosis. Since he is recovering, making a diagnosis most likely won't affect treatment, but it is important to know for future management. Tomorrow the cardiac specialist is going to do a heart biopsy. We won't get results until probably Monday.
Doug was very sleepy today. He only wanted tiny sips of water and even then had trouble swallowing. It has been a long time since he has eaten. The docs were hoping that he would start to take food by mouth, but since that isn't happening, Doug got a nasal-gastric tube today for liquid feeding. The NG tube is small diameter and goes in through his nose into his stomach. The placement was checked by X-ray and then a special concentrated formula was started by a very slow drip. The amount can be increased as his stomach tolerates it. I am glad they started the tube feeding -- hopefully the nutrition will help him gain strength and heal.
Physical Therapy came this afternoon. The PT gal got Doug to sit on the edge of the bed with help (and a nurse behind him) for a few minutes but he was too weak to stand. Someone from PT will come every day.
The diuretics are reducing the fluid retention -- Doug's face looks much better. I hope he gets some good rest tonight.
God is giving us strength to get through each day.
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I am so relieved that finally some nourishment is beginning to enter Douggie's body. It can now start to heal. No car will run without gasoline. I would suggest however that unless an invasive test is a matter of life and death that it be postponed for a day or two until the nourishment has had a chance to do it's job and Douggie feels stronger in mind and in body.A heart biopsy is a scary thing to have to go through but of course if it is really necessary then you should go ahead. Douggie's body is his body though and he will have an intuition as to what should be done to it, as long as he is strong enough. I pray for you both. Just know that the two of you are in so many folks thoughts and prayers right now.xoxoxoxox
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