Lee was admitted to the hospital yesterday @ 7:00 p.m. By midnight he had received his first I.V. antibiotic and had already had a CT scan of his lung. This morning he was seen by a group of doctors from the pulmonary team and a course of treatment was begun. He had an EKG and I was able to talk to one of the doctors and explain all the problems Lee has had recently with medication adjustments. I was able to give her a list of his current medications and also was able to discuss the disadvantages of one of the heart drugs he had been on earlier. ( the low BP problem ).
The dietician came around 11:00 to discuss his diet and after learning how much weight he has lost told him that they would not be as strict on his diabetic diet nor his heart diet. He needs nourishment and needs to gain weight. She explained that enough Insulin would be given to off-set the carbs and sugar. His food was with-held all morning and they finally took him for bronchcospy around 2:00 p.m. He returned @ 5:00 p.m.
Before they did the bronchoscopy, they drew the fluid from his pleural cavity and were able to withdraw 300cc ( one cup = 240 cc ), so they decided against putting in a chest tube. The lung was suctioned and fluids will be sent for pathology. When Lee returned he was already breathing better and did not cough as he had been doing these past four days. He felt really good about the procedure, and hopes to be released earlier than we anticipated. That, of course, depends on his chest x-ray in the a.m. and what the washings of the lung showed.
When I left Lee this evening, he was anticipating his meal and he looked really good. He seems to have regained his fighting spirit and I have resumed my role as his optimistic "cheerleader". We are both in better spirits tonight and are looking forward to some better days.
Thank you to all of you for your continued support. Thank you Bill for your call today and for sharing your experiences and helping me to just "hang on". Stanley, I hope your voice improves and it was so good to get your encouraging words. Donna, your sweet prayer reminded me of the love we have of our family. To Julia and to Lee Jr. thanks for your calls. To all of you who remembered us in our "down" time......Thank you again.
More later.................................................Brenda
Brenda & Lee....the news sounds much better tonight than yesterday. Lee is a fighter and you are his most important "cheer leader", soooo, just hang in there. We are all rooting and praying for you both here. Remember, God will take care of us. Thinking of you both....Dorothy J.
ReplyDeleteMa,
ReplyDeleteThis was sent to me this morning in an email and I thought of you and all that you and Pop have gone thru all these months. Please know that even though we don't talk everyday that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My greatest wish right now is for Pop to get better and the both of you to return home. Know that I love you both very much! Jennifer
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.