ValleyRD Mailing List: Fwd: Kay's Update # 3 - - - -

[Bob Heiser (w7ikt]

Good Evening - - - -
Before I start on the news on Kay I would like to ask that if you have 
not received a
previous update please let me know.  I am trying to get the messages to 
everyone,
but in my haste I could be skipping someone in the address book.  This 
is not on
my part in any way intentional.  Just let me know and I will get any 
message you
have missed.  Thank You - - -
Now for Kay.  I got to the hospital around 9 for everything was running late
because of the weather last night.  A lot of the highways were closed 
and right
outside out hotel window there was an accident where a pick-up spun out 
of control
on the overpass.  When we got there Kay was looking a lot better and 
sitting in a
chair.  Most of the tubes were removed and all she had hooked up was one IV
line that had four different solutions feeding into it.  She still has 
the drain tube to
the stomach and the tube for the drainage from her kidneys.  Overall she 
is doing
good in my opinion, but then I am a far cry from a doctor.
While we were there Dr. Kamat, the doctor that has been treating her 
from the get
go, came in to check on Kay.  He was very happy with her progress.  He 
did give an
indication that Kay could maybe go home on Monday.  I guess the main 
thing they
want Kay to do now is pass gas.  How's that for trying to keep it 
polite?  Anyway, that
is the first question when the staff comes in to check on her - Have to 
passed gas or
tooted yet?  Still the same answer - - No!
They did put her on a soft diet today.  This morning she had apple 
juice, a clear liquid
apple flavored Ensure.  This evening, she had jell-o, apple juice, hot 
tea both this
morning and tonight, and some Ensure.  She was very impressed with the 
food service.
She has a menu that she can order from and she can order anything from 
like 6:30 AM
to 9:30 PM at night.  When she orders the food it comes up within 45 
minutes and it is
delivered with a waiter or waitress in a white shirt/blouse, black vest 
and slacks, and a
tie.  It is delivered on a try that is covered with medal lids that are 
removed once the
food is delivered.   I sure hope she does not get us to this kind of 
service.  I can just
see her ordering food 8 to 10 times a day for just the service.
She has been walking and tonight before we left she did 3 laps around 
the nurses
station.  I stepped it off at about 175 feet around giving here a total 
of over 500 feet.
She was walking faster and that made me feel good.  She should be able 
to get me a
beer during the Super Bowl Game without it getting warm. Also, it does 
weigh less
that 10 pounds.
The doctor did tell us during his check on Kay that she would have to 
take a shot
every day to keep the blood thin and to prevent blood clots.  I asked if 
the was
cummaden, blood thinner, and he said not but something a lot better.  I 
asked about
a pill so we would not have to administer a the shot and again he said 
NO.  It had
to be a shot in the stomach.  She will have to do this for anywhere from 
4 to 6 weeks.
He told is us that the first 25 to 30 days were the most critical and 
this was the greatest
risk for blood clots after this kind of surgery.
This morning the Wound Care Nurse came in and showed us how to change 
the bag
that collects the urine.  I forget how to spell it right now and I know 
that the spell
checker is not going to help me like the blood thinner.  This was quite 
a process and
it was not all that pleasant to look at and do but then it has to be 
done.  Do you know
that the small intestines have not nerve sensors.  That is what is 
sticking out of Kay's
side and one thing the nurse said was don't worry about hurting Kay 
handling it, like I
really want to do that.  Anyway, we did go through the procedure and Kay 
will have to
do this twice a week.  We were talking where we, Kay, will pick two days 
out of the week
and we will change the bag those two days.
Well, that's about it.  Today she was making and taking calls on her 
cell.  If you do not
reach her, try again in 15-20 minutes.  She could be walking or even 
taking a shower.
She did receive a sponge bath from one of the nurses standing up in the 
bathroom.
Her cell phone number is 956.460.7520.  She has not used the tablet yet 
but I am sure
she will use it tomorrow.  She will be able to read all the responses 
you have sent and I
am sure she will try and answer them.  There are quite a few so be 
prepared for a wait.
Well, that about it for tonight so I guess I will be going. I did ask 
the doctor about the drive
home, 6 hours, after she was released and he said no problems.  Just 
stop every 45 minutes
and have Kay walk around the vehicle a couple of times and then drive 
on.  If she does hollar
"Uncle" with the pain then pull over for the night.  I was kind of 
planning on doing that anyway.
Of course, do let her get back into the van once she completes her walk 
around the vehicle.
On that note I will leave you tonight.  Take care and thank you all for 
you prayers and kind
words.  I greatly appreciate it and I am sure that Kay will also once 
she starts reading them.
Till tomorrow night - - -  Ski's