February 19th:
One week ago today dad had his surgery. Dad had three grape juices last night and three today. Not one drop of grape juice showed up in his chest tube drain or came out of his neck incision. No leaks. Today they took away dads pain pump. He was started on a liquid diet along with the Nestle Nutition pack through his J tube. The gout is better and dad was up walking again. Dr. Anderson said Dad will be going home on Thursday. I am now trying to get everything in line for his home care at my house. Dad had two bowel movements today.
I am so amazed at what my father has done. He has the will and drive and fight that Dr. Anderson said he must have for someone 83 years old to undergo what he has gone through. He also has had the prayers of all of you. You were all in my prayers today at mass. I so appreciate your kind words, thought and prayers. I tell dad about all of you each day.
Today we talked about his first night in the SICU. I will never forget that night. Dad did it again. This time he called us at 4:00 A.M. I gave him the phone numbers of my children and told him to call them if he wakes up and just wants to talk to someone. He also had a case of the giggles. The littlest things would happen in his room and he would start laughing. I called them the post surgery giggles.
I will keep you all posted. Thank you all again for your support. Tomorrow more questions for his Dr. and the home Health care nurses. We continue to take it one day at a time. Thank you again.
Steve