Day 30... Wow... We're a month in and where do we begin.... While Mom was in the ER Friday night they did another CT Scan which showed the end of her abdominal drain was now 'kinked'. The surgeon spoke with us and said the decision was made to remove that drain and insert a 'bigger' drain, then wait and see how it goes for a couple of days. If no more draining then he'll have to go in, surgically remove the bad section of colon and reattach the 'good' ends. The surgeon made it sound like this surgery will eventually have to occur but they ideally would like Mom healthier and as much of the 'bad stuff' drained out because to go in now he would be "unleashing a beast", meaning the risk would be high for the infection to spread throughout her abdominal cavity.
We waited while they took Mom to do the 'drain switch-out' and we were told afterward that everything supposedly went well. They have Mom in a room and in an area they call the Step Down Unit. This is where they have patients that are a 'step down' from ICU level but still require higher monitoring. We were told she'll probably be in the hospital at least 5 days... Her room has a phone she can call out on but receives no calls in at this time and Jeanette has her cell phone. The Step Down Unit also has limited visitors allowed and ask that no flowers be brought into the ward. Mom is back on IV, no food or drink as they're trying to rest and clear out the colon, she's on a urinal catheter and diaper... Please understand why right now visits are not recommended. This morning her Nurse said she's doing better, sleeping now as they have her on morphine. Sadly, she also informed us there is not much coming out of the drain... If this continues, then surgery will likely occur sooner rather than later.
In speaking with the main surgeon Mom has a very long road ahead of her... :-( By the time the infection is handled, the colon resection done, colostomy bag in place, colon healing time, then removal of the colostomy bag and reconnection of the intestinal track with the repaired colon, the surgeon estimates it will be 6 months possibly more before Mom will have her 'life back to normal'.
We know that with all that's happened to Mom from a 'routine colonoscopy' has a lot of you thinking, "Is it worth it?"... Quite honestly that is for you to decide with your physician and in consideration of your health history. This is a link which for those of us who are not familiar with the all the options for colorectal cancer screening and the measure of risk involved (see web link on this page), which may help answer some of those questions or at least offer you a good starting point of discussion with your medical care provider.
As for our sister Barbara, yesterday we found her sleeping soundly. We spoke with the Nurses station to update them on Mom's situation and give our cell numbers for contact. Her Nurse said, she's currently sedated, no fever, just needs rest and is doing MUCH better! She has not had a seizure since Wednesday and her seizure meds are now back at her doctor's recommended level. We heard her cough a couple of times but she seems to be breathing a lot easier.
We thought we were seeing light at the end of this long tunnel, but sadly at this point we feel like we're in more of a maze with all the twists and turns we come up against.... Please continue sending your good wishes, thoughts and prayers... You will never know how much you all mean to us! xoxoxo
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