Last night I prayed to God that he send me refreshing sleep -- and I got a full 8 hours sleep. Thank you Lord.
I was very glad to see that we had Susan, one of our favorite nurses today. Yesterday's nurse was rather passive. Susan is good at 'tough love' and gives Doug lots of encouragement. Doug ate very little for breakfast this morning - quite discouraging to me.
The cardiologist came in and said that Doug's heart is in normal rythym today, and he is tolerating the beta-blocker drug okay. The cardiac enzymes are down to .2 -- very good! The enzyme is Triponen and results from heart cells dying, so means heart damage; it stayed elevated for a long time. He told Doug to eat more!
The infectious disease doc said that they have been doing titers of Doug's blood -- and found a virus called HHV6 that might have caused the heart damage. There is a new drug, Valcyte, that he has ordered just in case the virus is still active. He said it might not help but "can't hurt".
The occupational therapist came to assist Doug to shower, so it could be documented that he is able to shower independently (or not). She got two oxygen tube extensions to reach to the shower. She instructed him to use the commode (without pan) as a shower chair since it is higher and has arms. He had the shower curtain pulled so had privacy but she was right outside and talking to him to make sure he was doing okay, and using the grab bars to stand. Doug did very well! He also learned how to get on/off the regular porcelain potty safely -- another new skill. So the commode will be used only in the shower. Needless to say, he was clean but exhausted.
I am so glad that our primary oncologist Dr Matous is back. I told him that Doug was doing well but eating "sucks". He ordered a dietician consult, so now Doug has been started on an appetite stimulant (might work, might not) and now they are doing a calorie count on what he eats. Doug is having a hard time trying to understand what happened to him to make him so fatigued.
Dr. Matous told Doug: "On a scale of 1 to 10, what happened to you is an 11." He also told Doug that eating is not an option -- "FORCE yourself to eat; consider it your JOB, or you will be in the hospital for a much longer time." I think Doug is finally comprehending (through his brain fog) how important eating is. He is really working to get some food down even though it is a big chore.
Doug sat up in the recliner several times today -- he is getting pretty good at transferring using the walker-- I am just watching to make sure he does it safely. Each time is good exercise. The physical therapist came right after he got back to bed, so he was already tired. She did a full range of leg exercises with him, and then walked him in the hall. I told Doug that I am very proud of him for working so hard.
"Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge." Psalm 16:1
Love to all.
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2 comments:
you may think I am crazy but what about a feeding gastrostomy for a while? The food really does need to get some food in. Nasogastic tubes are miserable, I have had one but patients do well generally with a feeding gastrostomy. Bodies don't work without nourishment and it has been many days now with the exception of the FEW days that the NG tube was in. If Douggie uses all his fat up he will start using his muscles for food to keep his body going!!!Maybe they will have more idea when they get the calorie count.Remember that the docs don't know everything! Just a thought. Hugsxoxoxoxo
Pitter Pat
You are awesome! Doug could not be in more loving hands than yous and God's.
Hang in there girlfriend.
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