We are continuing to pray for the grafts to "take". Dr. Duke is out of town until this evening and will take Louie back to surgery tomorrow. This morning the wound vac (we are down to ONE )started beeping and giving us very unwelcome messages. It was reorganized and reprimanded by the charge nurse and is now doing okay. Leaking is so detrimental to a skin graft that the sound of that wound vac makes me a wreck. We did get a welcome dose of spiritual medicine yesterday. Father Ed Schoellmann came and said Mass for us in our room. Louie has been unable to attend Mass since January and Father Ed's very personal message of faith was just the boost we needed. Please continue to pray--we treasure that very special gift from each of you so much.
Love to all, Ruthie
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
#89 - Grafting Report
Dr. Duke came by to talk to mom after surgery. It appears at the left side (smaller graft) looks very good. The middle graft looks "okay" but not really good. The gastric juices are still a danger. Dr. Duke will take him back to surgery on Thursday to check it again. Please continue praying!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Out
He's out of surgery and back from recovery. It sounds like all went well, but the true test will be on Monday when Dr. Duke takes him back to surgery and looks at it. God, please let it stick! They were able to graft both the middle and left side by just taking skin from one leg (instead of both), so that should make for a little easier recovery. Dad's back under lights to try and dry his leg, so please no visitors (except family) this weekend. Hopefully dad will get some good rest and today's work can begin to heal.
#88 - It's started
Mom signed the paperwork yesterday for the grafting, Dr. Duke came and talked to her about it, and this morning dad was taken to surgery -on time! The skin on his legs will be taken again and hopefully the middle and left side will be grafted.
I'll update again later when he's out, but right now we really really need prayers for successful grafts.
I'll update again later when he's out, but right now we really really need prayers for successful grafts.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
#87
Post from Ruthie:
Surgery went well yesterday, and everything is in order. In the afternoon Louie had physical therapy, and Jocelyn, our current therapist, changed it up a bit. She had him walk toward the door with a chair stop along the way. This was his first time to ever peek out into the hallway on his own feet. He did great --but it is hard! He appeared very steady and Jocelyn agreed that its not so much a matter of strength, but rather endurance. Every step is a victory though and I am proud of him beyond imagination. Somehow I think if the tables were turned, I might be much more whiny in this situation-- or either cry -- I'm a big crier. I am also amazed at the way he says "okay" to the therapists when they come in on surgery days. He is sore and still sleepy from anesthesia but he willingly does it. I would probably politely say "No, thank you." or just pretend to be sleeping where they couldn't wake me---- SO SAD..... That being said I have found my role helping with the process by initiating the exercises, helping get everything ready and rolling along the IV and oxygen tank. I am also vocally his biggest fan and cheerleader. Minor (in the big picture) but it works.
Next is what I believe to be true--THE BIG NEWS. Tomorrow Dr. Duke will start grafting again. Apparently, the wound is granulated to the point where the time is right and there is skin on the legs ready for further use. Of course plans are ALWAYS subject to change, but at this point it appears to be scheduled for tomorrow. Please pray that the graft will "take" successfully and everything will go well. I have every confidence in Dr. Duke' s ability--he has put much thought into Louie's case . Patience and precision describe him well. He too, however believes that he is the hands, but GOD is the healer. I can't think of a better team than that, so send up your heartfelt prayers. We will keep you posted--
Love to all, Ruthie
Surgery went well yesterday, and everything is in order. In the afternoon Louie had physical therapy, and Jocelyn, our current therapist, changed it up a bit. She had him walk toward the door with a chair stop along the way. This was his first time to ever peek out into the hallway on his own feet. He did great --but it is hard! He appeared very steady and Jocelyn agreed that its not so much a matter of strength, but rather endurance. Every step is a victory though and I am proud of him beyond imagination. Somehow I think if the tables were turned, I might be much more whiny in this situation-- or either cry -- I'm a big crier. I am also amazed at the way he says "okay" to the therapists when they come in on surgery days. He is sore and still sleepy from anesthesia but he willingly does it. I would probably politely say "No, thank you." or just pretend to be sleeping where they couldn't wake me---- SO SAD..... That being said I have found my role helping with the process by initiating the exercises, helping get everything ready and rolling along the IV and oxygen tank. I am also vocally his biggest fan and cheerleader. Minor (in the big picture) but it works.
Next is what I believe to be true--THE BIG NEWS. Tomorrow Dr. Duke will start grafting again. Apparently, the wound is granulated to the point where the time is right and there is skin on the legs ready for further use. Of course plans are ALWAYS subject to change, but at this point it appears to be scheduled for tomorrow. Please pray that the graft will "take" successfully and everything will go well. I have every confidence in Dr. Duke' s ability--he has put much thought into Louie's case . Patience and precision describe him well. He too, however believes that he is the hands, but GOD is the healer. I can't think of a better team than that, so send up your heartfelt prayers. We will keep you posted--
Love to all, Ruthie
Monday, July 20, 2009
#86
To and from surgery today with nothing new to report.
Yesterday Pawpaw was able to make a special phone call to his littlest buddy, Tate, and wish him a Happy 2nd Birthday.
Yesterday Pawpaw was able to make a special phone call to his littlest buddy, Tate, and wish him a Happy 2nd Birthday.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Amazing Grace
I spoke to Dr. Duke this evening and he indicated that he may be ready to start grafting again next week.
There are a few things to remember concerning this possibility. First of all, Dr. Duke's concept of next week does not always coincide with ours. Nevertheless, it may be soon and so we need your prayers beginning today and continuing throughout this grafting process. Because of the excessive amount of bile collected in the wound vacs and suction canisters, we need to pray that this fluid will be diminished. Leakage can be a disaster for a skin graft causing it to disintegrate.
Next we move to what we believe is the reality of what will happen in the future. The fistulas do not allow the bowel to be in working order at this time. This is not something you can "fix", but rather must heal over time. The bowel surgery may be another hospital stay many months (or longer) down the road. We only have to look at how far he's come to realize that this concession is a small one.
Remember the tremendous blood loss or the days we prayed that his heart would be strong? The days of the pacemaker are behind us. What about the weeks of continuous dialysis? His kidney function is excellent. Those dreaded words "his liver is failing" brought with them absolute fear. Your loving prayers restored his liver function back to normal. Infection was a constant demon; Dr. Duke tirelessly fought this with all of his tricks including those maggots. Remember the frightening time of waiting when Louie wouldn't wake up? He did and his memory and thought processes are excellent. There were many words we came to HATE. Sepsis, multiple organ failure, quality of life, and "feelings of impending doom". Each and every time together we brought these issues to the Lord and He answered us.
So, as we move forward remember where we have been and thank God for His great gifts. It really puts into perspective where we are going.
When the Mennonite young men come to sing at our room we always ask for the selection "Amazing Grace". It is a beautiful song, especially in their exceptional voices. Before this hospital stay, I used to relate to this song differently - as more of a promise of Heaven. Now when I hear it I think of it as a parallel to Louie's recovery here at Hermann Hospital.
"Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
'Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home."
Once again we ask you to pray for the grafting process. We need His Grace to bring Louie home.
Love to all of you,
Ruthie
There are a few things to remember concerning this possibility. First of all, Dr. Duke's concept of next week does not always coincide with ours. Nevertheless, it may be soon and so we need your prayers beginning today and continuing throughout this grafting process. Because of the excessive amount of bile collected in the wound vacs and suction canisters, we need to pray that this fluid will be diminished. Leakage can be a disaster for a skin graft causing it to disintegrate.
Next we move to what we believe is the reality of what will happen in the future. The fistulas do not allow the bowel to be in working order at this time. This is not something you can "fix", but rather must heal over time. The bowel surgery may be another hospital stay many months (or longer) down the road. We only have to look at how far he's come to realize that this concession is a small one.
Remember the tremendous blood loss or the days we prayed that his heart would be strong? The days of the pacemaker are behind us. What about the weeks of continuous dialysis? His kidney function is excellent. Those dreaded words "his liver is failing" brought with them absolute fear. Your loving prayers restored his liver function back to normal. Infection was a constant demon; Dr. Duke tirelessly fought this with all of his tricks including those maggots. Remember the frightening time of waiting when Louie wouldn't wake up? He did and his memory and thought processes are excellent. There were many words we came to HATE. Sepsis, multiple organ failure, quality of life, and "feelings of impending doom". Each and every time together we brought these issues to the Lord and He answered us.
So, as we move forward remember where we have been and thank God for His great gifts. It really puts into perspective where we are going.
When the Mennonite young men come to sing at our room we always ask for the selection "Amazing Grace". It is a beautiful song, especially in their exceptional voices. Before this hospital stay, I used to relate to this song differently - as more of a promise of Heaven. Now when I hear it I think of it as a parallel to Louie's recovery here at Hermann Hospital.
"Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
'Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home."
Once again we ask you to pray for the grafting process. We need His Grace to bring Louie home.
Love to all of you,
Ruthie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
