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