Saturday, November 28, 2009

Transfusion Day

Today, our team of doctors is stymied. They simply cannot figure out what is going on with Him, and I suspect that they are having some fairly heated doctor conversations about what to do with Him -- some arguing more aggressive approaches, and others advocating for restraint and patience. It seems that the latest x-rays are still showing some distension of the small intestine, and that could indicate another obstruction -- although the CT scan didn't show anything to be concerned about in that way.


But He continues to have significant nausea, and while He is having bowel movements, they are very watery and, this morning, essentially clear. Without being able to get a fix on what is happening, our doctors are opting for keeping the nasal tube in place. None of us are anxious to have to have that re-inserted again, so there's no sense of urgency to get it out before it is really time.

Another concern is that His blood counts, both red cells and white cells are low, and they can't figure out why. There is no blood in His stools; no blood in His vomit; no obvious hematomas that are not accounted for and entirely expected as a result of the surgery. Still, the counts are low.


So, today, He is receiving two units of blood. So far, that is going well. We are aware of the risks of transfusion, but we just don't feel likf there are good options.

swan

4 comments:

Sir said...

I would have the Doctors contact John Hopkins Medical with questions since THEY were ones that created this procedure...

Sir,
Owner of morningstar

Sue said...

LOL Sir!
Actually, our current difficulties are only indirectly related to the weight loss surgery. Since all of us have fat in the abdominal cavity, significant weight loss results in loss of fat from there as well as other (more visible) places. Losing fat in the abdominal cavity gives the bowel and the organs room to shift and move. It sometimes occurs that those bowels twist around themselves and that can create an obstruction. The complications of our last few days seem related to that obstruction and the surgery to remove it. Hopefully soon, His body will recover from the trauma and we'll be on the way again.

Thank you so much for your friendship and concern.

swan

Sir said...

swan,

Trust Me when I say that everything almost is directly the result of the surgery.

As I have stated before, My Father had this procedure ( or first one like it ) and causes side effects that you wouldn't think of as My Father and His doctors found out about for over 30 years.

I know that John Hopkins were always there to assist when Dad's local doctors couldn't figure out things.

Sir,
Owner of morningstar

selkie said...

have been away so just catching up....hoping that things improve and the morning brings better news.