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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Emerg again

Hi all.

I know some of you know that I was taking Dave to emerg this afternoon, so I feel obliged to give a quick update.

Dave has had a lot of abdominal fluid. I noticed it starting last weekend and pointed it out to the doctor during his transfusion a week ago. This weekend it was looking much worse. (He gained 10 lbs in a week, and it certainly wasn't from eating more - it was all fluid in his abdomen.) I called at the cancer clinic first this morning and the oncologist called me in the afternoon and said that they wouldn't be able to see him until Wednesday at the earliest - maybe later. I told her I was taking him to emerg and wasn't willing to wait that long. He was uncomfortable, and I don't know if it was OK to wait or not.

So they did an ultrasound and xray and said that he had fluid buildup but not enough that they would drain it. However his bowels were becoming impacted - and they agreed that it was likely from the T3's. (He started taking them about 3 weeks ago - mainly for back pain. In the last 4 or 5 days he was taking a lot more.) They said there are a number of meds he would need to take to clear it. He could do it at home if he preferred but he would have to keep in daily contact, and the doctor said he would prefer it if he was admitted for a few days. The risk of bowel perforation, if it didn't resolve, is a serious and deadly complication. Dave decided he wanted to stay in and make sure things were cleared.

So, Dave will be in the hospital for about 48 hours. It's possible that if they don't locate a room for him, that he will stay in Emerg the whole time. At least he was in a private room.

Friends came in to visit this evening. (I didn't know they let visitors into Emerg.) We felt calm despite being in there. The doctors and nurses were all great in the ER.

That's where we're at today. I've gone home to sleep and will be back there tomorrow morning.

Val

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for letting us know. Praying for your peace and strength. You are so loved.
Bob and Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Dear Dave, Val and Cale,

Dave, Zen and I continue to pray for your comfort and God's complete restoration of your health! God bless the Richard's.

John and Zen.

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date...prayers are being lifted up for your family

\0/

Phyllis C.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking the time to update us, Val.... it is so appreciated. I hope you are able to get some sleep today.... I pray Dave will get some relief while in hospital. Thanks again for coming out to b.ball on the weekend.. it was so great seeing both of you. Brooke's team got beat out on Sunday...oh well, it was fun.
Carol F.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the continuous updates, Val. I am always checking and hoping for some good days! I am praying for you both and hoping that this time in the hospital will bring Dave a little relief.
I also hope you are able to get a little rest.
Thinking of you often,
Janine

Anonymous said...

Thanks for keeping us updated Val. Praying. Praying. Praying.
Love you guys!
Hugs,
Lisa