Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Larry Update
Hello:
I'm back to the blog myself. Thank you to my sister for posting the last blog and letting everyone know that Larry was back in the hospital. I thought I would wait until today with some updated info. Since Larry has been at St. Joseph's, he has not been allowed to have anything by mouth. This is really unfortunate for Larry because as many of you know, food, especially cookies, is one of the few pleasures Larry has left. This has become too risky because anything he eats or drinks leads to aspiration. Nobody wanted to take that risk especially the hospital. They said I could feed him myself, but I would have to sign a waiver. Can you believe that?? everybody's trying to CYA. So I figured that if they didn't want to feed him, do you think I was going to take that risk? I did try feeding him ice chips and he even choked up on that. So today, a G-tube was inserted. I really struggled with this decision because i didn't know if I was adding to the prolongation of this disease, but this is the only way that he can get nutrition and his meds. I still feel unsettled about this but I certainly wasn't going to stand by and watch him choke or starve to death. Doesn't that sound awful? but that's what it would have been. The insertion of the G-tube is a pretty significant turn in this insidious disease. It means that his swallowing is compromised due to the atrophy of the throat muscles. As the MSA is named (multi system atrophy) you just wonder what is next. If this hasn't been enough for him, the pressure sores continue to exist with one being persistently nasty. He's back on a wound vac and continuous antibiotics. In fact, a pic line was inserted in him last night. I was told today that he would possibly be transferred to Kindred Hospital either tomorrow or Friday. Remember, this was the wound hospital he was at during the bucolic Autumn season. Now he'll be there during the emerging Spring season. Quite frankly, I am exhausted with all of this. More decisions will have to be made and I just pray that I have the guidance of the Lord. Until the next time...pass on the Larry love.
Gail
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Guest Blogger Here - Larry's in the Hospital
Hi Everyone,
Gail asked me to post an update for her; Larry is in the hospital. This past Friday, the nurse who came to the house to check on Larry really felt he needed to go to the hospital to be evaluated for his wounds. Although the main one on his bottom is healing for the most part, part of it is being quite stubborn and is continuing to put out a pretty foul smelling drainage. Given the location of it, it's not surprising. He has also developed additional pressure sores that needed to be looked at related to the fact that Larry is pretty immobile and unable to move and turn on his own. Another thing the nurse noted is that Larry has developed a significant cough and his lung sounds were pretty "junky". The decision was made to call 911 as he can only be transported by ambulance, so apparently the paramedics showed up along with a fire truck with full sirens and lights! I guess it was quite the sight. They transported him to St. Joseph's Hospital in Elgin Illinois and Gail followed in her car. They spent 6 hours in the ER and started Lar on IV antibiotics and did a chest x ray which came out clear, meaning he does not have pneumonia. Whew, that was a big relief. His doctor wants him evaluated by a wound care specialist and also a plastic surgeon to see if they can surgically close the wound on his bottom as it appears that is the only way it is going to heal. Being the weekend, he won't get these evals until tomorrow, Monday. Another big issue Larry is having is swallowing (as if he doesn't have enough problems already!). They are going to do some tests on him to see if there is an obstruction or something anatomical that is causing this, but my gut tells me that this is just a progression of this awful disease, I think his swallowing muscles have just atrophied to an extent that he is unable to swallow without choking - so sad as one of Larry's biggest pleasures these days is eating. A decision will need to be made as to whether or not to put a "G-Tube" in his stomach in which he would get nourishment and his medications administered thru.
Gail is holding up the best she can, she is tired and scared as anyone would be in this situation. Larry is comfortable in his hospital bed although this morning it was reported that he was "agitated", which whoever knows Larry, knows that is not him.
If you all could spare a few prayers for this family, I know it would be greatly appreciated, they have been through so much in the past few years with Larry's declining health. I know Gail and Larry would love to see some comments from their blog readers, so please click on the "comment" button and leave them some words of encouragement. As Gail always signs off: "Pass on the Larry Love"!
Gail asked me to post an update for her; Larry is in the hospital. This past Friday, the nurse who came to the house to check on Larry really felt he needed to go to the hospital to be evaluated for his wounds. Although the main one on his bottom is healing for the most part, part of it is being quite stubborn and is continuing to put out a pretty foul smelling drainage. Given the location of it, it's not surprising. He has also developed additional pressure sores that needed to be looked at related to the fact that Larry is pretty immobile and unable to move and turn on his own. Another thing the nurse noted is that Larry has developed a significant cough and his lung sounds were pretty "junky". The decision was made to call 911 as he can only be transported by ambulance, so apparently the paramedics showed up along with a fire truck with full sirens and lights! I guess it was quite the sight. They transported him to St. Joseph's Hospital in Elgin Illinois and Gail followed in her car. They spent 6 hours in the ER and started Lar on IV antibiotics and did a chest x ray which came out clear, meaning he does not have pneumonia. Whew, that was a big relief. His doctor wants him evaluated by a wound care specialist and also a plastic surgeon to see if they can surgically close the wound on his bottom as it appears that is the only way it is going to heal. Being the weekend, he won't get these evals until tomorrow, Monday. Another big issue Larry is having is swallowing (as if he doesn't have enough problems already!). They are going to do some tests on him to see if there is an obstruction or something anatomical that is causing this, but my gut tells me that this is just a progression of this awful disease, I think his swallowing muscles have just atrophied to an extent that he is unable to swallow without choking - so sad as one of Larry's biggest pleasures these days is eating. A decision will need to be made as to whether or not to put a "G-Tube" in his stomach in which he would get nourishment and his medications administered thru.
Gail is holding up the best she can, she is tired and scared as anyone would be in this situation. Larry is comfortable in his hospital bed although this morning it was reported that he was "agitated", which whoever knows Larry, knows that is not him.
If you all could spare a few prayers for this family, I know it would be greatly appreciated, they have been through so much in the past few years with Larry's declining health. I know Gail and Larry would love to see some comments from their blog readers, so please click on the "comment" button and leave them some words of encouragement. As Gail always signs off: "Pass on the Larry Love"!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
