Monday, June 23, 2008

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo has been out of the hospital for about 2.5 weeks. The wounds in the neck are not healing as fast now as they had been a few weeks ago. Dr. Willet states it is because of the cumidin, that is treating a blood clot in her shoulder. She is still on the feeding tube, and is still not swallowing. I don't think she should try to swallow until the wounds in her neck are completely healed. We have had a bit of trouble regulating her medication, but that too is now under control. Her spirits are good, and she has been doing a few things around the house, and has been out shopping a few times.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo came home from the hospital today. She is very tired and very weak. She will see Dr. Willet in two weeks, and we begin the process of wound care again. Fortunately Home Health Care will be out to pack the wound in the morning. It is a little too soon for visitors or phone calls. Next week would be much better.

Please pray for healing, and that no further infections develop.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo had her trach removed today. She is struggling with it a bit, as she just got used to breathing through the trach and now she has to relearn to breath through her mouth. Flem keeps coming up through the hole where the trach was, and she is to put pressure on the hole when ever she talks or coughs to encourage it to seal.

The doctor has released her to begin swallowing her saliva. Pray that she does not get another infection.

She will resume tube feedings today, and hopefully she will be able to tolerate it. If everything goes well, I look for her to come home on Friday.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo had her diversion funnel removed from her esophagus this morning. She and I both thought that she would be put under for the procedure however, she was not so it was pretty scary for her having a six inch funnel pulled from her mouth. Everything went very well. When I left the hospital she was in good spirits, was relieved from some of the pain of the funnel being in there. While she still requests that you not call her, she was much more able to talk, and do it pain free.

Tomorrow, she will have the trach removed, and they are hoping to get her back on her feeding tube, and off the TPN. The plan is for her to come home on Friday.

Please pray that this procedure works and that she is finally on her way to total healing.