In the hospital all days blur together. It is hard enough for family but for the patient it is impossible. Gene is complaining about having to look all day at the nurses schedule board hanging on the wall at the foot of his bed. He usually enjoys watching TV but he has been too ill that it bothers and confuses him. I forget which day they moved him out of ICU but it was good to bid farewell knowing that we were making progress. The care he received there was tops. They had a nurse’s desk right outside the door where they could watch two rooms at a time. They were caring and professional even when their patients became dillusional and uncooperative.
Gene had four surgical procedures in eight days; the emergency surgery to remove his gall bladder and appendix, and three to put in a stent. Last Thursday they attempted to remove a gall stone that was in the bile duct and insert a stent by using a scope going through the stomach, into the small intestine and up into the duct. It was not successful. The next day they tried again by making a small incision in his abdomen wall, to laposcopically go through the liver and down into the bile duct. It was challenging but they were able get the stone and insert the stent. The stent was to cover the hole leaking bile into the abdomen, allowing it to heal and help redirect the bile into the intestine.
Last evening complications developed and things began going downhill fast. His white blood count soared to above where they were when he had emergency surgery. His kidney numbers, heart beat, labored breathing and liver all were signs of organ distress. We were concerned his organs were failing. This morning first thing they took him back into the OR and they went back in the third time to change the stent to a larger size to help reduce the bile leaking into the abdomen.
It didn’t take long to start seeing improvement and this evening I finally feel like we are really on the road to recovery. Family and friends are invaluable in times like this. A heartfelt thanks to Lauren who is becoming quite the farm girl. Tomorrow she gets to put on her cowboy hat and learn how to drive a tractor to feed hay. Wray, Tim, Steve, Philip, Dave, Luke, Jesse and Jamie for helping with the hay and Bob who went to Weyers Cave for more bale wrap. We had some challenges but they got it done just before the rain started. Then there is Summer who is keeping the store running, and Kevin who helped feed the cows hay. And what would I have done without Jill, Obe, Karla and Ryan. Passion Community Church has provided more food than we can eat! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you EVERYONE. We have felt your love and care. You have been the arms of Jesus to us and your prayers have carried us through. There were some who have volunteered to help and we appreciate your care. This is going to be a long recovery, we just may need you yet!
I do not know when he will get to come home…. they are several physical goals he has to reach. Stay tuned for the next update.
Other Posts:
- Gene’s Memorial Day Medical Crisis
- Gene’s Medical Crisis-Part 2