A small update for you all. Dave has now gained about 12 pounds. His weight gain seems to have slowed down, possibly because he's never been a "big" guy as far as his weight is concerned, possibly because he was on another course of antibiotics that prevented him from consuming as much dairy products as he'd been eating previously. Hopefully the gain will continue soon now that he's done with the antibiotics.
His incisions are doing very well and he's even able to change his own bandages (especially when I end up falling asleep on the couch at night... going back to work has caused me to go back to my old sleep schedule). Thankfully, the bandages are getting smaller and smaller and much easier to change now.
He will have some big scars from this, but as we've stated before "better a scar than the alternative".
He'll be visiting with his doctor again next week and will know more at that time as to when he'll be going back to work. He's really looking forward to returning to work. He's quite bored at home doing nothing all day.
A special thank you to all of the employees at Laura Shoppes Canada who pulled together a collection to help us pay for our new refrigerator. We are extremely grateful to you all for this heartfelt gift.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Up and around
Dave's getting stronger by the day and his weight is steadily going up. So far he's gained back 11 lbs and his calf muscles are almost back to normal.
He's feeling well enough now that he's planning a short visit to Laura (his work) sometime during the week. I'll probably be with him since I'm still not feeling comfortable with him driving that far out on his own. Consequently, it'll have to be an early morning visit so that I can be back to work on time for the lunch hour at school.
We're still receiving wonderful cards and gifts from the people in our lives and we are very much enjoying every one of them. Again, the gratitude we feel towards you all is truly overwhelming. It's nice to know that we have so many friends who love us this much!
Dave just reminded me that I never updated you all after his visit to the Doctor last week. His incisions are doing well enough that the one under his ear is no longer bandaged and the one on his neck is now only half covered. The doctor has given him at least 3 more weeks off work for now. When he goes back on the 30th, we'll know more about when he will be going back to work. I get the feeling that he's itching to get back there soon!
He's eating like there's no tomorrow! I swear, he goes through 2 litres of Homogenized milk per day! Not to mention all the protein he's eating. I'm just thrilled that he's gaining his weight back!
He's feeling well enough now that he's planning a short visit to Laura (his work) sometime during the week. I'll probably be with him since I'm still not feeling comfortable with him driving that far out on his own. Consequently, it'll have to be an early morning visit so that I can be back to work on time for the lunch hour at school.
We're still receiving wonderful cards and gifts from the people in our lives and we are very much enjoying every one of them. Again, the gratitude we feel towards you all is truly overwhelming. It's nice to know that we have so many friends who love us this much!
Dave just reminded me that I never updated you all after his visit to the Doctor last week. His incisions are doing well enough that the one under his ear is no longer bandaged and the one on his neck is now only half covered. The doctor has given him at least 3 more weeks off work for now. When he goes back on the 30th, we'll know more about when he will be going back to work. I get the feeling that he's itching to get back there soon!
He's eating like there's no tomorrow! I swear, he goes through 2 litres of Homogenized milk per day! Not to mention all the protein he's eating. I'm just thrilled that he's gaining his weight back!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Weighty matters
I've spent most of my life trying to lose weight, and now I find myself in the position of trying to help someone GAIN weight! What irony!
When Dave left the hospital, he weighed a "whopping" 126 lbs. Two days later he was down to 124. Not good figures when you consider that the man is very close to 6 feet tall and that a "normal" weight for a man of that height is 155-160. So we're not trying to get that muscle back!
He's eating an average of 5-6 times per day, including his snacks. We're doing our very best to make sure that he gets plenty of protein and calcium to rebuild muscle and bone density lost during his illness. He's rather enjoying it, you all know how Dave loves to eat!
On another note, his incisions seem to be doing well. The big one is starting to close somewhat. We'll be seeing his doctor tomorrow afternoon so we can give you more updates after that.
My mom and dad arrived from Florida today. As usual, they were bearing gifts. Lots of peanut butter (good for the reversed dieter in the family) and a few other little things that were greatly appreciated. They both look great, but Dad looks particularly tired. Maybe a few days off the road will bring back his usual "sunny" disposition! :-p
When Dave left the hospital, he weighed a "whopping" 126 lbs. Two days later he was down to 124. Not good figures when you consider that the man is very close to 6 feet tall and that a "normal" weight for a man of that height is 155-160. So we're not trying to get that muscle back!
He's eating an average of 5-6 times per day, including his snacks. We're doing our very best to make sure that he gets plenty of protein and calcium to rebuild muscle and bone density lost during his illness. He's rather enjoying it, you all know how Dave loves to eat!
On another note, his incisions seem to be doing well. The big one is starting to close somewhat. We'll be seeing his doctor tomorrow afternoon so we can give you more updates after that.
My mom and dad arrived from Florida today. As usual, they were bearing gifts. Lots of peanut butter (good for the reversed dieter in the family) and a few other little things that were greatly appreciated. They both look great, but Dad looks particularly tired. Maybe a few days off the road will bring back his usual "sunny" disposition! :-p
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Home Sweet Home!
From Dave himself:
Hello everyone, I've made it home! Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and for everything you've done for us.
(from Lynn)... as you know, Dave is a man of few words... but he gets his point across. We "broke him out" of the hospital last night. We waited forever for the doctor to come up from surgery to give us the OK, so we didn't actually leave the hospital until about 8 pm. Driving was dicey with the wet snow we had all day yesterday, but we made it home in one piece after a brief stop at the pharmacy for Dave's antibiotics.
Today I get to do Dave's bandages, but after a little course at the hospital, I'm ready for that.
Dave was the first up this morning and chose not to wake me. He made his own hearty breakfast and took his medicine. He didn't want to wake me, he's so sweet! We'll be having a little company tonight for the hockey game and we'll have to figure out a way of getting CBC to show on our TV without the benefit of cable.
Have a great day everyone!
Hello everyone, I've made it home! Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and for everything you've done for us.
(from Lynn)... as you know, Dave is a man of few words... but he gets his point across. We "broke him out" of the hospital last night. We waited forever for the doctor to come up from surgery to give us the OK, so we didn't actually leave the hospital until about 8 pm. Driving was dicey with the wet snow we had all day yesterday, but we made it home in one piece after a brief stop at the pharmacy for Dave's antibiotics.
Today I get to do Dave's bandages, but after a little course at the hospital, I'm ready for that.
Dave was the first up this morning and chose not to wake me. He made his own hearty breakfast and took his medicine. He didn't want to wake me, he's so sweet! We'll be having a little company tonight for the hockey game and we'll have to figure out a way of getting CBC to show on our TV without the benefit of cable.
Have a great day everyone!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Three weeks ago
It was three weeks ago, today that Dave's doctors thought he might not pull through this thing. Today, we're actually waiting to hear if he will be coming home today or sometime this weekend. What an incredible three weeks it has been.
I'm fairly confident that everyone involved in this drama has learned something valuable from this experience. We certainly have.
We have always thought of ourselves as a fairly "prepared" family, but we know now that we're not as prepared as we should be. We need proper life insurance, we need wills, we need more savings, the list goes on.
However, we are grateful that we have some food storage... it has been a great blessing. We are grateful that we have camping equipment (i.e. a good cooler) to save us from our dead refrigerator, and we are especially grateful that we have you all in our lives. I know that I've probably said that many time in this blog... but I seriously don't think that I can say it enough.
Dave and I received a card yesterday from a family who very recently lost their young son. I want to share with you the message that was in this card... it reads:
For I will restore health to you... says the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 (RSV)
God bless you with returning health
and comfort from above,
God grant you peace and happiness,
surround you with His love,
And may the sweet assurance
of His constant love and care
Be yours today and every day-
This is my special prayer.
I can't tell you how much this card meant to Dave and to me. It really touched us that the Roach family, who are going through such turmoil at this time, would take the time to chose such a beautiful and heart warming message for our family.
Thank you so much, Glenna, Mike and Hailey. Our hearts and prayers are with you as well.
I'm fairly confident that everyone involved in this drama has learned something valuable from this experience. We certainly have.
We have always thought of ourselves as a fairly "prepared" family, but we know now that we're not as prepared as we should be. We need proper life insurance, we need wills, we need more savings, the list goes on.
However, we are grateful that we have some food storage... it has been a great blessing. We are grateful that we have camping equipment (i.e. a good cooler) to save us from our dead refrigerator, and we are especially grateful that we have you all in our lives. I know that I've probably said that many time in this blog... but I seriously don't think that I can say it enough.
Dave and I received a card yesterday from a family who very recently lost their young son. I want to share with you the message that was in this card... it reads:
For I will restore health to you... says the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 (RSV)
God bless you with returning health
and comfort from above,
God grant you peace and happiness,
surround you with His love,
And may the sweet assurance
of His constant love and care
Be yours today and every day-
This is my special prayer.
I can't tell you how much this card meant to Dave and to me. It really touched us that the Roach family, who are going through such turmoil at this time, would take the time to chose such a beautiful and heart warming message for our family.
Thank you so much, Glenna, Mike and Hailey. Our hearts and prayers are with you as well.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Weight loss
Dave has now lost about 18 lbs over the course of the past 2 weeks. Unbelievable! Like he could afford to lose weight?! I guess I'm just going to have to fatten him up when he gets home.
He may be coming home this coming weekend. We're both very happy about that! We'll have a quiet weekend at home with Ben gone to a friend's house for the weekend.
Once he's out, he'll have to have his bandage changed twice daily. That will be my job so I'm off to the hospital early today to learn how to do this particular bandage. I have experience with bandaging, so this won't be a problem.
He thoroughly enjoyed a visit from Mort and Louise Plaskett a couple of days ago. It's nice for him to see familiar faces and to know how much people love and care for him. He really enjoys all of the messages and cards he's received especially the one that showed up in our mailbox yesterday from the Daycare kids I see every day. The outpouring of love he's received is moving to both of us. Thank you all for your wonderful support!
He may be coming home this coming weekend. We're both very happy about that! We'll have a quiet weekend at home with Ben gone to a friend's house for the weekend.
Once he's out, he'll have to have his bandage changed twice daily. That will be my job so I'm off to the hospital early today to learn how to do this particular bandage. I have experience with bandaging, so this won't be a problem.
He thoroughly enjoyed a visit from Mort and Louise Plaskett a couple of days ago. It's nice for him to see familiar faces and to know how much people love and care for him. He really enjoys all of the messages and cards he's received especially the one that showed up in our mailbox yesterday from the Daycare kids I see every day. The outpouring of love he's received is moving to both of us. Thank you all for your wonderful support!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A Mighty Sneeze
Good day today.
Dave's doctor came in to remove the last two drains. He had Dave smile for him and confirmed that the left side of his jaw seems to be slightly paralysed. He said that full mobility will probably return within a few months but there is a small possibility that it may remain that way too. Right now, Dave is talking out one side of his mouth.
He also said that tomorrow, he will put a camera down through Dave's nose to go look at his esophagus and lungs. Not a pleasant procedure, but all things considered a small thing. He said that after that, the feeding tube could come out and Dave can start eating again.
After I got back home, I got a call from Dave and he wasn't sounding very good at all! He said that he'd had a huge sneeze and that he was trying very hard to find a way to blow his nose! After he hung up, I wondered if maybe he'd caught a cold. I know that if he did, he didn't get it from me! About 3 minutes later, Dave called again and sounded wonderful... it seems that that last sneeze dislodged his feeding tube and it came sliding out! He's very very happy about that and even happier that they've decided not to put it back in again. He was hoping he'd get to eat some real food tonight, but that's not to be. We'll see tomorrow after the doctor checks him out thoroughly, but we may have Dave home by the weekend!
Dave's doctor came in to remove the last two drains. He had Dave smile for him and confirmed that the left side of his jaw seems to be slightly paralysed. He said that full mobility will probably return within a few months but there is a small possibility that it may remain that way too. Right now, Dave is talking out one side of his mouth.
He also said that tomorrow, he will put a camera down through Dave's nose to go look at his esophagus and lungs. Not a pleasant procedure, but all things considered a small thing. He said that after that, the feeding tube could come out and Dave can start eating again.
After I got back home, I got a call from Dave and he wasn't sounding very good at all! He said that he'd had a huge sneeze and that he was trying very hard to find a way to blow his nose! After he hung up, I wondered if maybe he'd caught a cold. I know that if he did, he didn't get it from me! About 3 minutes later, Dave called again and sounded wonderful... it seems that that last sneeze dislodged his feeding tube and it came sliding out! He's very very happy about that and even happier that they've decided not to put it back in again. He was hoping he'd get to eat some real food tonight, but that's not to be. We'll see tomorrow after the doctor checks him out thoroughly, but we may have Dave home by the weekend!
Sinking in
Dave had a "good" day yesterday. Or, I should say that it was as good as it gets when you're stuck in the hospital.
We spent the afternoon trying to watch a movie on our little DVD player but were interrupted over and over by nurses, physiotherapists, etc, etc, etc. We didn't mind, of course, it's to be expected.
When I returned last night with Benjamin and Dave started to talk about all of this, he started to realize and mean really realize just what's been happening. It's easy for us all to forget that he's been mostly out of it for the entire time and has absolutely no idea of the drama that was unfolding. I hope he talks about it and sees all of the blessings first, then the harder parts.
Still no news from the doctors on when those last two drains can come out. I know that he won't get the feeding tube removed until then. Dave is very very much looking forward to having real food soon. His choices will be limited for a while, but anything has got to be better than a tube!
His blood glucose levels were almost in the normal range yesterday. I think that was the best news of all yesterday.
We spent the afternoon trying to watch a movie on our little DVD player but were interrupted over and over by nurses, physiotherapists, etc, etc, etc. We didn't mind, of course, it's to be expected.
When I returned last night with Benjamin and Dave started to talk about all of this, he started to realize and mean really realize just what's been happening. It's easy for us all to forget that he's been mostly out of it for the entire time and has absolutely no idea of the drama that was unfolding. I hope he talks about it and sees all of the blessings first, then the harder parts.
Still no news from the doctors on when those last two drains can come out. I know that he won't get the feeding tube removed until then. Dave is very very much looking forward to having real food soon. His choices will be limited for a while, but anything has got to be better than a tube!
His blood glucose levels were almost in the normal range yesterday. I think that was the best news of all yesterday.
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