Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Update # 188
8 Years
Great Day St. Louis – a daily local show I have not watched in weeks – but it’s title is close to a title for Jeff’s Great Day in St. Louis. But I should back up.
Sunday night Jeff slept 4 hours of deep sleep without moving a muscle. A good sign his moving around a little is hard work.
The infectious docs have still been trying to figure out why Jeff had that low grade fever a week ago and why the colon was having issues. They asked some gastro intestinal docs to see Jeff. These new docs decided the best way to see if there was any underlying problem in the colon was for Jeff to have a sigmoidoscopy. (felt a colonoscopy would be too rough for Jeff) Yesterday morning, after some prep in the room, Jeff was taken down for the procedure. Two and a half hours later, Jeff returned with the news that all looked good. Of course, biopsy results take 48-72 hours. With twilight sedation for the procedure, Jeff was sleepy most of the afternoon. A couple of meds have been stopped since the GI docs thought the colon looked good.
Jeff was almost ready to leave the room yesterday at 10:30 AM when Laura from speech therapy came. So naturally, the speaking valve and swallow test was put off for another day.
Linda, the physical therapy tech, came mid-afternoon and did more exercises with Jeff.
The amazing bed was moved into the chair position and Jeff sat upright for 45 minutes.
Before Jeff went to sleep for the night, his right leg began to bother him. The nurse gave him a little pain med and that helped.
St. Patrick’s Day brought several things to make Jeff’s great day in StL.
The oxygen level on Jeff’s trach collar was put down to the lowest level of 28%. Another step in his progress.
BMT docs are pleased with how Jeff looks and what he is beginning to do with some exercises.
A Thoracic gal came and said the chest tube needs to be in a bit longer. One pulmonary guy saw a tiny pneumothorax again with the right lung – but no one else could see it.
11:00 AM – Laura from speech therapy walked in the room. In a matter of seconds, she had the speaking valve on the trach tube and Jeff was free to talk whenever he pleases. Except it is to be removed during naps and definitely sleeping at night. Since Jeff has the NG tube and the trach, Laura could not feel Jeff’s throat when he would swallow. She used a fiber optic camera instead to see inside when Jeff swallowed. He did well with liquid, applesauce, and a bit of graham cracker. Jeff PASSED the test! He is free to eat and drink – soft food, slowly! So cheese omelet and cranberry juice for lunch. Supper was mac/cheese with apple juice.
The amazing bed was positioned into the chair for both meals. And he stayed sitting upright after supper to Face Time with friends from Waterloo. They all enjoyed seeing and talking together again.
Jeff had fun at 5:30 when he greeted Dr. DiPersio with words rather than hand signals as he walked in the room. Nice surprise. That put a big smile on Doc’s face. He is very pleased with Jeff’s progress.
We continue to pray these great days happen each day for Jeff. Thanks for the daily prayers, love, and support.
love,
Marcia