Home Again, Home Again

Dad made it home yesterday afternoon.  Tuesday Dr. Young surgically inserted a new line, but that proved to be quite difficult. I guess Dad has had so many lines, that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get them in.  Thankfully they were able get it done, and now we're just hoping it lasts... a long time. Dad's sore, but very happy to be back home!

Comings and Goings

To say nothing has been going on is not exactly true.  Up until a week ago, there really was not much going on.  With us - no news is good news!  Dad managed to stay pretty healthy and he'd been able to get out of the house quite a bit driving around and visiting some friends. 

Last weekend he was admitted to the hospital in El Campo with pancreatitis.  Hospital stays aren't exactly fun, but the stay in EC wasn't bad at all.  It was practically like being at home.  To say Mom and Dad were "happy" to not be sent back to Houston is a huge understatement.  We've had two hospital stays in Houston this year (one in March and one in August), and each short stay stretched on much longer than ever anticipated.  It really is impossible to get discharged from that place!  This time (in El Campo) Dad stayed for a few days then was released (just in time to watch Game 1 of the World Series).  The Ranger's poor performance was quite possibily more disappointing than the hospital stay itself.

As of today they are back at ECMH with a line infection.  Antibiotics were started, the line was removed and a temporary one was inserted.  Monday or Tuesday they will surgically insert another.  It looks like he will be there for at least the next few days. 

Luckily because things had been going so well, Mom and Dad both were able to make it to College Station for Cayla's birthday a few weeks ago.

 Last year Dad really wanted to make it to Cayla's birthday party, but he wasn't discharged yet.  Last year at
that time we were on the count down.  However, one year ago today, he was loaded up and taken home.  

Blast from the past - 10/29/09

 

Sometimes it seems like ages ago, sometimes it seems like not so long at all, but it's amazing how far he's come.  We have so very much to be thankful for!

The Pictures I Promised

I’m sure this is already long forgotten, but if you go back a couple of posts you’ll see I promised some pictures from Leslie and Gary’s wedding.  Here they are!

 

He's Home!

Who would have thought that a battle with pancreatitis could last practically a week?  Getting into Hermann is fairly easy.  You can come by helicopter, ambulance, car, or just walk on in off the street.  Of course I'm not recommending it as some place to book your next outing, but if you need to - you can get there. Getting discharged is nearly impossible.  After they determined the pancreatitis earlier in the week, mom and dad started pressing them about his release.  He was so ready to go home, but each day came and went and at the end of the day he was still there.  The main treatment for pancreatitus is "Nothing By Mouth", and REST!  What part of that can't be done from home?  Actually, what part of that doesn't he already do?  Finally, we got word that he might be able to go home on Friday. Boy was he ready!  However it looked like Friday might turn to Saturday with still no release.   Last night around 11 he made it back to El Campo.  THANK GOODNESS!  Another night in the hospital might have landed him in the Psych Ward!   He's encountered these same hold ups each time he's been released.  The first time, I wanted to blame it on the fact that he'd been there for 9 months.  I don't know what excuse I can give for the other times, but I do know that next time something pops up he'll fight that trip to Hermann tooth and nail!  He's surely glad to be back home, and some healthier days ahead are definitely in the plan. How nice it would be to not have to go back until the next round of surgeries?

**The next round of surgeries are still some time away.  Duke did an evaluation during this stay, and determined that it's just not ready.  We were really hoping that the next surgeries would be soon, but unfortunately the waiting continues.

Detour

A trip back to Hermann was in order this weekend.  Some vomitting followed by tightness in his sides made him worry that something was amiss.  Yesterday morning they headed to Houston.  They could have taken their time (and packed more than just the TPN), because Sunday's turned to Monday and no assigned room, much less diagnosis.    All day was spent back in Emergency, but after midnight they were finally moved to Jones 6.  The X-Ray showed nothing, and we're still waiting on the official results of the CT Scan. 

More to follow when a definitive answer is reached.  Dad's ready for that definitive answer, because he's ready to head back home.  He clearly remembers just how hard it is to get released from that joint. 

On happier note:  Friday, Mom and Dad headed to the Magnolia area for Leslie (Greg's daughter) and Gary's wedding.  Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post soon! 

Road Trip to Forney

Another family get together attended!  This time all the way to Forney to attend Rose and Karl’s Pool Party and finally meet cousin Logan!

Happy to be in New Braunfels for the 4th of July

How nice is it is to have all of us back there together.  We’ve been making this annual trip (with aunts, uncles, cousins, and even second cousins) for over 20 years.  The first time I remember going was the year I graduated from kindergarten… so maybe we’ve been doing this for closer to 25 years.  We were so glad to have Mom and Dad join us again this year. All of the hours spent packing countless medical supplies was well worth it, and Dad even got to hit the golf course to ride along with the guys. 

On the medical front, no news these days.  He’s just trucking along and waiting for what the next step may be.  All’s well!