Last Saturday was very scary with my dad, my mom was called at 8 AM because he had a very large rectal bleed. When heparin is running 24/7 there is always the risk of a bleed. They pumped in three units of plasma to stop the bleeding then kept a close eye on him the remainder of the day and through the night. The cause of the bleed is still a mystery but at least the plasma helped!
That same Saturday, Interventional Radiology was hoping to place an IVC filter in his vein to prevent clots in his leg from moving into his lungs. He already has clots on both sides of his lungs with a couple that are significant in size, he doesn’t need to add anymore. With the bleeding he was experiencing, the filter was delayed and cancelled for Saturday. Fortunately the filter was able to be placed the next day under mild anesthesia.
Another issue my dad has been having is struggling with eating. Over a month ago, he thought he had a complete blockage in his esophagus. At times, even sips of water had to be regurgitated. Since that time he has not been able to consume many calories throughout the day. Monday, he went under anesthesia again to look for a blockage in his esophagus and to look at his rectum for the cause of the bleed. Yikes, both ends! Nothing too concerning was found in either direction. His esophagus was clear which is good news but it doesn’t explain why he has not been able to swallow much. The doctor mentioned she could see the pill he took earlier in the morning before the procedure in his throat because it was still dissolving. He may be having problems with his swallowing technique? The next step is to have a barium swallow to take a look at his swallowing maneuver. There is a catch with the swallow test, he needs to be in the sitting position for over thirty minutes.
Meanwhile without eating or getting nutrients, he is losing weight and every day becomes weaker. He has been completely exhausted this last week, sleeping nearly the entire day and night. I think anyone would be like that with consuming only about 200 calories a day and that’s on a good day!
There was a small success and I think it came at the right moment because since last Wednesday when he arrived in the Emergency Room he didn’t seem to have anything going in his favor. Everyone that walked into his room seemed to have bad news. A few days ago, PT helped him sit on the edge of his bed. He lasted about one minute before he had to lay back in his bed. He was just too dizzy. Two days ago, he was able to sit for ten minutes. He then laid back and did a few leg exercises.
The ten minutes was good. As I mentioned though, for the barium swallow test he has to be sitting for a while. He has been taking medicine to help prevent his blood pressure from dropping and making him so dizzy when he sits up and it is improving but he has a way to go.
The discussion of a G/J-tube was started. It is a tube surgically placed into the abdomen that delivers nutrition directly to the stomach. Because of his inability to swallow, plus the liver cirrhosis, it seems to be the best chance for him to get the nutrients he needs.
After getting all his questions answered (thank you Michele), he decided he would undergo yet another bout of anesthesia for the third time in five days! Yesterday afternoon, the tube was placed and his first feeding was overnight. He is sore from the insertion but that is expected when a tube is all of a sudden sticking out of your belly!
Today we are very hopeful that once he starts getting nutrition, he will start feeling better and become stronger so he can continue his rehab and eventually be back at home!
My family and I want to thank everyone for the messages, phone calls, and prayers. I apologize if we have not answered you back but we really appreciate the outpouring of support.
Nikki's New Lungs 