Well today we finally got closure on the mystery of the 'embedded suture anchor'. Those of you that have been following since December will remember that the VON nurse that came to our home to remove the temporary sutures from Dave's feeding tube, didn't do it correctly. Instead of simply cutting the threads and allowing the small metal anchoring pin to fall into Dave's stomach to be expelled, she tried pulling it out - thinking that it was just a thread. The suture thread broke as she pulled it through his stomach wall, and the pin was left embedded in his chest wall. It was very painful for Dave and has been an ongoing source of pain and grief since then.
So this metal pin has been embedded in his 'innards' somewhere and occasionally and very recently caused him shooting needle-like pains near the site of the feeding tube. This morning when Dave was changing the dressing for the feeding tube, he noticed a bit of blue thread sticking out by the feeding tube. He had actually become so used to discomfort that he had forgotten that the suture anchor was still likely in there. When he realized what it was he grabbed the tweezers, and was able to pull the thread out along with the attached suture anchor pin! Yeah!!! He is extremely relieved and very happy about this. One less thing to worry about and he's actually in a lot less pain today!
Today, and the last few days, Dave's been feeling pretty good. (He felt pretty lousy over the weekend until about Tuesday morning. He actually missed watching a number of the NCAA basketball play-off games over the weekend because he just felt bad and wanted to sleep.) In general, he still usually feels better in the morning and afternoon, and by the evening he's feeling a little rougher. But the last 3 days he's been feeling better than he has for a while.
I forgot to mention last week that I received my second order of carrots. Yep - for those of you that are curious, 300lbs of juicing carrots lasted less than 5 weeks. I ordered and received 200 lbs last Wednesday and they're stored at my parents. (They live just a few minutes away.) I didn't order as many this time around now that the weather is warming up. I was concerned they wouldn't last as long.
Right now we're very encouraged that Dave's been feeling better over the last three days and that pin is finally gone! It's actually amazing that it's worked it's way a few inches through tissue and that the thread managed to work it's way out for Dave to see it and pull it out. FINALLY!
Val
11 comments:
Yeah!! I knew we called him Doc for a reason!
SO glad to hear that Dave was able to pull out the thread and pin.
I am still praying that he coughs up that tumour and know that God has a plan!
Love you guys!
score! so good to hear...
God is so amazing...I can just imagine HIM whispering in Dave's ear..."check out that blue thread,Dave..
..yeah...now, pull on it and see what I have for you!!"
HE is so in control of EVERYTHING....wonderful news that Dave is feeling better....\0/
Phyllis C.
Wow...what an absolute relief it must be to have that out. Yeah, Dave!
So happy you have been feeling better this week!
We're praying.......!!!
Hugs to all,
Lisa
Wooo Hooo!!! Finally!!! That's awesome news. I hope Dave finds some relief now that it's out. So happy!!!
love, love, love to you both,
Karie xo
Fantastic!!! What a relief that must be. Glad to hear Mr. Richards has been feeling a little bit better. Belated Happy Birthday, Val. Love to hear all the positives. Thinking and praying for all the family.
I love Phyllis' comment! And I couldn't agree more!!!
So excited to hear that Dave is feeling a bit better, I'm gonna run over to Jordan's room and whisper that bit of goodness to him!
(Hopefully he'll still go to sleep like he's 'sposed to be doing now! lol
xoxo
Yeah, Dave. I happened to be present for that momentous visit of the VON when the pin was left behind! Good on ya!
Bob K.
That is awesome....so great that that pin finally made its way out! Such great posts and news all around! What a journey...what a testiment! Thinking of you always!
Love Alisha
Way to go "doctor Dave"! Glad that has FINALLY resolved itself!
I love the visual of all those carrots Val! Has Dave's skin turned orange yet from all the beta carotene? :-)
So glad to hear that you've had a good few days - praying for lots more!
*btw I always have a mild case of anxiety about these silly "word verifications" in order to post here - today's was a bit ambiguous! lol
Great news Val & Bravo to Dave! It takes a bit of courage to pull that out. Glad to hear that any pain is not from the suture now!
I'm doing someone's taxes today and thought I should remind you to keep your receipts for everything this winter...including mileage to TO and Michigan. You should be able to deduct accommodation, meals, etc. for all trips.
Keep phone bills, receipts for carrots, any dietary purchases, costs and deducted amounts not covered by insurance, as well as premiums for supplementary health. It is amazing how much & what can be deducted under medical expenses, once you get over the 3%.
Praying for you guys!... as is the prayer group at West Park every week.
Ella & Ken.
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