More Holes Than I Thought

I got another look at James' belly and as if one huge cut down the middle isn't enough, they also must have used the laproscopic machines because he has 3 holes on each side, too. Poor guy. It really was a tough surgery and a tough one to recover from.  He got up a lot today, though. He is even starting regular foods tomorrow. The surgeon came in and gave him a checklist he needs to accomplish before he goes home and he is on his way there. I really think we will be home by Sunday.

How He Looks

Before I go to the hospital today, first of all, thank you Greg and Lynette for letting me stay with you all this time. They have been so gracious and kind and it is fun being with the bussle of a household instead of a hotel.
Second, I wanted to describe for everyone how he is looking after a double nephrectomy. Dr. Cashman removed his dressings yesterday and I was able to see the incision. It is at least 6 inches long and since he has never had a belly button, it's hard to guage where the incision is, but it is pretty long straight down his center.  It was a clean cut and the stiches will dissolve over time. The nurse will be instructing me on how to take care of it when we get home.
Underneath the incision are two little tubes that are taped to his belly and attached to an external pump that he has to carry around. These were put in to administer antibiotics and pain medication directly to the site where the kidneys were removed. Then coming out each side is another tube that drains fluids, again, straight from where the kidneys were. They currently are still red, but eventually the fluid will turn yellow and then they will be removed. We may actually go home with those tubes still intact. Of course he also has the IV fluids that go into a Central Line in his neck. They did that so that he wouldn't have to have his arm stuck a million times. That will come out before we get home.
So, he is full of tubes, but eventually these will get removed one by one and it will get easier to get around. He got up 3 times yesterday and also slept a lot, both of which are very good for him. The doctors and nurses are pushing him, but that's what he wanted. I keep reminding him of that so he remembers.
I'm looking forward to another long day, but hopefully a productive one. Thanks again for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers. You are all with us and it helps so much to have the support.

Out of the ICU

James is doing fantastic. He had his first dialysis last night in the ICU. He was funny about it. When they came in with the big machine they were asking him the standard questions. He stopped the lady and said. "I know about dialysis. I've had it before, I've just never had it without kidneys!"
Today he got up and walked around the nurses desk. He's very alert and pushing and fighting. I'm so proud of him and how hard he's fighting to get better.

He made it!

What a day! He was scheduled for 11, but didn't get in till 2:30. He was in a lot of pain and sick in pre-op, but the doc came in and put us at ease. He did great and is heading for the ice soon.

The day is here

That sounds ominous. Really though,it is nephrectomy day. It's a good thing too because he had another cyst burst yesterday. Time to get these awful things out! Please pray for him and the doctor today surgery starts at noon.

Feeling Fussy

Tonight we are getting ready. I am feeling fussy. I am running around doing laundry, getting the kids' clothes laid out and packing my bag. It has been an emotional weekend for all of us, but now we are ready to move forward. I don't blame anyone for freaking out because i think it was good in a way for everyone to get all their feelings out. In such a stressful time as this, i think it was bound to happen. I have been walking around with a fake smile on my face, but internally I have been in turmoil. I deliver the mail and that is a lot of time alone on the street thinking of all the good and bad things that could happen, all the whille pretending nothing' wrong.
We have asked for a lot of prayers and I know all of you have been offering them on our behalf. That gives me so much comfort. I am feeling peaceful tonight because it is in the Lord' hands now and there is nothing more I can do. I have faith that we will be taken care of.
James and I head to Phoenix tomorrow after dialysis. His surgery is on tuesday at 10:00 am. I will keep updates coming as much as I can.

Back in the saddle again

I love the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" and that is my favorite song. We are back in the saddle, well actually the hospital. James had an incident at dialysis where his blood was clotting in the machine and they weren't able to give him all his blood back. That caused him to pass out. It also made him very sick. There was blood in his urine that came along with a fever. The nephrologist advised him to come to the ER.
I got home from work at 6:30, put James in the car and drove the two hours to Flagstaff. He got admitted that night and put on the normal regimine that we have grown accustomed to. It seems like every little thing makes him get infections. He probably just needed oral cipro, but the doc wouldn't just prescribe him that.
Instead, we have to be away from our kids. i had to beg some church members here to take me in because the hospital refused to let me stay in his room. James was trying so hard to stay out of the hospital until his surgery in three weeks, but it seems we are back in the saddle again.