Thursday

Dear Friends,

Dad/Grandpa is now having dialysis three times per week using the catheter positioned in his upper chest.  He continues to experience times of progress and then things seem to reverse again.  There were positive signs in that he could begin to eat broth and other easily digested foods but he remains very tired and sluggish and the hope that he would be able to return home before long has dwindled. 

The doctors are rather undecided on how quickly to transition to solid food with the latest decision being to speed up the move in the hope that his system will kick in.  The stomach tube was removed several days ago which is a positive sign.

Continue to pray for improvement to his condition, that he may gain strength, that his bodily functions may fully recover and that he would be encouraged together with the family.  The Lord knows His needs and we lay them before Him, our heavenly Father.

Dad/grandpa asked me to read Psalm 37 with him yesterday.  Here is one excerpt:

Psalm 37:25 & 26
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

Saturday, November 17

Dad/grandpa started dialysis today through the upper chest catheter for a few hours.

The CT scan indicated that the problem is a "lazy bowel" and somewhat of a pinched condition (like a muscle cramp).

Dad/grandpa continues to be on IV,  has the grastric tube (to empty his stomach) connected as well as now, at least temporarily, the dialysis tube, not to mention the oxygen connection which he normally also has.  So lots of tubes and connections which can be wearisome as you might imagine.

As you can see from the schedule on the right, the grandchildren have been amazing - we are very proud of them.  They have told me that it is a privilege to return the lifetime love of their grandfather and grandmother in this way.

Please continue to pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses, and patience for dad/grandpa, and for the family and medical team to work together in a way that is in the best interest of our very special patient.

Rick

Friday, November 16

Dear Family & Friends,

The last 2 days have been up and down.  There have been a number of developments today, dad/grandpa went in for a CT Scan this morning.  Since this procedure requires the use of dye, which could potentially shut down all remaining kidney function, a dialysis (fistula) connection had to be made in the upper chest area - this makes 2 such catheters.  The reason for this is that dialysis may need to be started immediately and the abdominal connection isn't functioning (and may never do so).

We are now in a different, private room on the nephrology ward (kidney).  We expect the results of the CT Scan to come at some point in the next 24 hours.

Dad/grandpa is now in reasonably good spirits after a difficult morning.

We continue to look to the Lord for all things.  Please pray that the reason for the bowel issues will be resolved and corrected in the near future.

Status

Grandpa/Dad's condition is fluctuating.  Things appear to improve for a while and then they fall back again.

Encouraging:
- the peritoneal (abdominal) catheter procedure which got this all going is on schedule in terms of the wound healing
-  grandpa looks stronger and is in good spirits (although this does fluctuate)

Concerns
- the sluggish bowel issue continues to be a conern.  Small improvements but not enough.
- the tube to his stomach is periodically not working and needs to be adjusted.  Recognition of this problem seems to take a long time and the resolution only comes when dad gets really uncomfortable.
- if emergency dialysis will be required this may require using the neck area as the entry point
- brief periods of confusion which can lead to grandpa trying to get out of bed, remove tubes etc.

Please pray that the concerns will be overcome and that when dialysis needs to start that the peritoneal approach will do the job .  Pray as well that grandpa will be encouraged and that the family will receive the strength and wisdom to provide the level of care grandpa/dad needs in close cooperation with the hospital team.

Rick

Update from Uncle Garry - Monday

Uncle Garry just called to say that the doctor had met with him, Aunt Heidi and Aunt Diane.

The doctor assured everyone that there isn't something happening here that we aren't fully aware of (a perforated bowel for example).

The doctor is quite positive about how grandpa is doing and says he has improved since Friday.

There are still some challenges to overcome which include:
- dehydration:  the IV rate has been increased to help with this
- a sluggish bowel:  the doctor said that this is quite a normal condition and often takes a week to recover. The dehydration is one of the causes of this condition.
- increased toxicity which the kidney normally takes care of (creatinine):  the doctor said that the levels are no where near the level which would require emergency dialysis through the neck area and that the current plan is to carry out flushing (Wednesday) using the peritoneal (abdominal) catheter which was connected last Tuesday (seems an age ago!)

For all this we praise our gracious God for his countless mercies - they are new every morning.

Lamentations 3:22-24
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Update from Uncle Ted

I just returned from hospital. Heidi is there now. Dad had his moments of wit but also of confusion.  His potassium level was very low and that is being boosted. It is likely they will do a flush as soon as this Tuesday (was originally scheduled for Thurs.) and perhaps a partial dialysis (normally they wait at least 14 days, this Thursday will be 10 days).

Ted

Happy Birthday!

Dear Ted & Garry,
On behalf of the family I'd like to wish you a very happy birthday.  May the Lord continue to bless, guide and sustain you.  Yes, we are going through a difficult period with dad but He is there as much now as ever.  Hitherto the Lord has blessed us all - and He will continue to do so - Ebenezer.

The song "God and God alone"  has been speaking to us today.  Click here for a wonderful rendition on youtube.  This is one of the songs on the slide presentation at mom and dad's 60th wedding anniversary.

God and God alone created all these things we call our own
From the mighty to the small the Glory in them all is God's and God's alone

Chorus:
God and God alone is fit to take the universe's throne
Let everything that lives reserve it's truest praise for God and God alone

God and God alone reveals the truth of all we call unknown
and the best and worst of man won't change the Master's plan it's God's and God's alone

God and God alone will be the joy of our eternal home
He will be our one desire Our hearts will never tire of God's and God's alone

By Steve Green

Love,
Rick & Diane for all the family

Update from Uncle Garry

Aunt Marietta and I just returned from the hospital.  Aunt Jackie is there now.

According to Aunt Marietta - overall a good night for Grandpa.   

He is drinking fluids and can go to the restroom.

Another x-ray will be taken sometime today but the tube will not come out today.

More assessment is needed re the intestine.  So until that is clarified and things are working properly so that he can eat the tube will stay in.

But the tube is not connected.

Oxygen levels are fluctuating so when he lies down he needs to have the mask on.

The main concern is kidney failure.  The levels are increasing so there is talk of doing dialysis sooner rather than later. 

The toxins remaining in the body from kidney failure is what is causing the extreme tiredness he is experiencing.

Still overall considering the situation as it was a few days ago we may thank the Lord for progress.

Garry

 

Update from Ted

I was just informed by a nurse that the gastric tube cannot come out. Xrays are showing very little change since yesterday. There is an air pocket of sorts. Dad is free to take clear fluids and he will be reassessed tomorrow including more xrays. They have also restarted the IV.

Ted

A picture!

Grandma, Shanelle and Grandpa.  Grandpa continues to be very weak - sleeping a lot.
Uncle Garry insists that his Blackberry should get some recognition for this - so here it is!

An update from Cathenia after the night shift

Hi family. Just getting home from the hospital. Grandpa had a decent night. I found he was very restless while sleeping.  He got some good solid sleep in but not for long stretches. His neighbour in his room was causing some commotion which in turn kept grandpa awake a bit more.

Grandpa got up to the bathroom once.The nurses are keeping good track of his output but they are happy with how this has been going.

The nasal gastric tube is still in. It is not draining much more fluid and the nurse states grandpas abdomen is not as distended and much less firm which means the gastric tube is doing its job. The doctor wanted the gastric tube in for approx 24 hours which it has been as of this morning. Hopefully the doctor will look at removing it today. This will mean grandpa will need to start drinking on his own.

He was not in any pain overnight and his vital signs were good. Oxygen saturation were at 90 % on 1.5 litres of oxygen which is pretty good. Grandpa had moments of disorientation through-out the night but overall not to bad. I would be a little confused waking up there too! The nurse took some more blood work this morning. They will check his kidney function tests including creatinine. Grandpa is so sick of being in the hospital though. I really hope we can get him home soon!

Anyways, he was pleased as punch to see Colin and Corine this morning. Hopefully the day goes well!

Love you all,

Cathenia

Friday Night

Ted & Heidi took dad for a walk tonight which is encouraging.  Dad needs to keep the tube to his stomach in at least over night.  The pump was working incorrectly but  the problem has now been corrected.  This in turn has raised some concerns about acids still collecting in his stomach.

Please note that the schedule is on the right of the blog and may not show properly if you are using a smartphone.  Please be sure to get instructions from the person you are replacing.  The challenge right now is tubes being inadvertently disconnected by dad/grandpa.

The loving help being provided by everyone is a very positive  outcome of a challenges we are facing with dad/grandpa and mom/grandma.  It has been a very special experience to come at 1am and find one of my nieces sitting there lovingly looking after their grandpa (Shalena and Jolene for example).  May the Lord bring full recovery.

I say the above realizing that not everyone is in a position to help out.  Please don't feel bad.  Your prayers are also very important.

Friday noon status update

The abdominal obstruction caused a great deal of discomfort this morning for dad/grandpa.  A tube has been inserted to empty his stomach which has helped.  Doctors continue to be confident that he will recover.  He is now resting comfortably.  It was very good that Jackie was there.

Comments are now activated but please be wise and tactful in using this facility.

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear,
...
Be still, and know that I am God; 
.... 

Friday/Saturday schedule and status

Friday, 4am
Grandpa sleeping fairly well.  Doctors say he needs encouragement to keep fighting - things are looking better on the whole.  Had a good walk this morning at 4am.  He may be able to go home soon according to doctors once all systems are a go.

Surprising how much work can get done at this time of the night.


Clarification:  Dialysis procedure was successful but other complications have followed as you know.  These complications are coming down in severity.  Doctors are talking about starting dialysis in 2 weeks which seems soon.

It would be nice to fill in the schedule below (Rick and Diane have 85th birthday for Diane's dad on Saturday afternoon and evening so out of picture at that time).

Thursday
10pm/ 10:30 pm - 1:30 am   Jolene

Friday
1:30 am  Rick
6:30 am -Jackie
11:30 am Renee comes with Grandma
afternoon - Jackie?
Evening - Heidi
Night - Cathenia

Thursday morning update

When I left this morning the doctor had not been by yet.  The negatives are that he is not eating or drinking and continues to weaken as a result.  They were going to insert an IV tube which had not happened yet when I left.     He is sleeping most of the time.  Overall I find him weaker than yesterday.  Heather is taking mom in this morning. Kayla is there now.   Heidi will be there this aft and Jackie this evening. Jolene will be there from 10:30 – 2am.

Keep him in your prayers.

Garry 

Background

Background:
Dad/Grandpa went in for a dialysis preparation procedure this past Tuesday.  The procedure was completed (I misunderstood that point) but it was difficult (due to pre-existing conditions) and the resulting trauma to internal organs have led to complications.