Even though I'm writing this instead of my Dad, he is reading your comments so please continue to feel free to respond. Your support is much appreciated!
We've had some pretty rough nights. One of Dad's problems is that he has always had back pain from being in bed for long periods of time. The epidural pain medication is amazingly targeted to specific area and it doesn't help the back pain at all. So occasionally extra medication is needed to make that tolerable.
The folks at MD Anderson are very focused on pain management and are always quick to respond. It's not pain free but at least it's manageable.
Dad has been up and walking laps around the patient area for several days now pushing along his tree full of IVs and monitors with wire and tubes everywhere.
Today they decided his blood oxygen level is high enough without supplemental oxygen that he no longer needs to use the supplemental oxygen. That's one set of tubes down! Actually, his oxygen saturation levels are better than before the surgery I think.
We've been taking turns staying in the room at night and typically you're lucky to get 30 to 45 minutes in between being woke up.
Every day Dad looks notably better then the last. The Surgeon came in today with an associate and told us that the lymph nodes and the "margins" (cutting area where they removed the tumor mass) were cancer cell free. That means it looks like a clean removal and that there wasn't any local spreading of the cancer. All very good news.
Now we try to get of the pain medication and wait for the digestive system to wake up so he can start taking liquid food by mouth. We'll have to watch the blood sugar and see how that works out too.
Cheers,
Scott
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2 comments:
Dear Mr. Hurt,
I’m thrilled to see Scott’s latest blog entry. It sounds like everything is even better than expected!
In the week since you left Albuquerque, fall has come to New Mexico. We’ve had a few cold nights and now the trees are filled with golden, russet and purple leaves, and there is the smell of pinon smoke in the chilly air.
Last Saturday Kurt and I thought it was time to “Fall Back” with the clock and as such went around turning them all back by an hour. It was so glorious to get that extra hour’s sleep on Sunday! My excitement was hindered only after answering the door in my pajamas to a waiting group of 5 of our daughter’s physics classmates who were at our house for a study group. Though I tried to convince them they were early, ultimately (after checking the paper and calling the city’s 311 number) I realized that we don’t fall back until this weekend, hahaha.
So here’s to a speedy recovery for you and the hope that you’ll be home this weekend. You’ll get here just in time to turn back the clock. Just think of the extra sleep you’ll be able to enjoy!
Let us know if you need anything!
Wishing you all good health,
Kris Conover
Dear Al,
What great news I retreived from Scott's communique. I shared the news with those who have been asking about you.
Carter asked about you, Iam sure that will make your day.
Val was sure happy and pleased to hear the news as was I and we know you will be back home very soon. Be a good patient and you will be home before you know it.....Hey I got a story for you:A couple goes into an art gallery. They find a picture of a naked women with only her privates covered with leaves.
The wife doesn't like it( of course)and moves on but the husband keeps looking. The wife asks "what are you waiting for?". the husband replies, Autumn!!!!!!!
See You soon and God's speed.....Nick
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