Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo went to her ENT in Columbus today. He removed the stitches, and was pleased with what Dr. Alam had done at the Cleveland Clinic. She will have a swallow test some time with in the next week or so. The troubling news was that they may have to stretch her esophagus to make it fully functional, in an out patient procedure.

Please pray that the swallow test goes well, and that the esophageal stretch will be successful, if it needs to be done at all.

Bettyjo Update

We made it home yesterday. The trip was very uneventful. The roads were in really good shape, even in Cleveland where there was about 8" to 10" of snow on the ground.

But.......the best news of all came today. Bettyjo was able to swallow a few sips of water! Yeah!!!

Bettyjo also got a call from Dr. Willet's office, to say the Dr. Alam had contacted them and they have discussed follow up care. Bettyjo will see Dr. Willet next week.

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo is being discharged this morning from the Cleveland Clinic. We did not leave yesterday as Dr. Alam wanted to see her before she left, and he was in surgery most of the morning. He saw her at about 3:30pm yesterday and was very pleased with her progress. The next hurdle will be the ride home, which I hope will be uneventful. It looks as if we will have decent driving day weather wise. Dr. Alam is allowing Bettyjo to follow up with Dr. Willet our original ENT in Columbus, which is a blessing as we will not have the 3 hr trip to the Cleveland Clinic for stitch removal and wound monitoring. In addition we have full faith and confidence in Dr. Willet.

Thank you all for your prayers over the past week. They were felt, appreciated, and answered.

Bettyjo Update

All of the drains are now out, she is off the pain pump, and they have removed the bandage on her arm where the tissue for the new esophagus was taken. According to the Doctor everything looks good, and she should be able to go home tomorrow (Wednesday). If the Cleveland Clinic can get her discharged by 1:00pm we will be on our way home. If it is 1:00pm or later, we will spend the night in the condo together, and will come home Thursday.

Thank you all for your prayers. It seems that they have been answered!

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo has only one drain line left in, that did not produce anything today, and she is transitioning from the pain pump to less pain meds through her feeding tube. She has taken several walks around ICU, and seems to be coming along very well. Tuesday, they will unwrap her arm to take a look at the skin graph they put on the place they took her new esophagus from. One of the interns was in tonight, and he felt that if the arm looked good, and they can remove the remaining drain line, she may get to come home on Wednesday.

Please continue to pray for healing, and safe travel home. One other thing, my grandfather will be having surgery on March 12, please pray for success in the surgery and a quick healing.

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo got up out of bed for the first time since her surgery. She has had some tubes removed, and at least two more are scheduled to come out tomorrow. They gave her some ice chips to attempt to swallow, but they would not go down, which really is ok for her first try. There may be some swelling yet preventing it. They have regulated her pain meds, gave her a bath and washed her hair, so when I left the hospital she was feeling quite well. I am heading back to spend some time with her this evening, and will head back in the morning.

Please continue to pray for healing for Bettyjo, and for travel as my parents and the girls have just left to head back to London.

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo is being moved from Recovery to ICU this afternoon, as they do not have a bed for her in the step down ICU. She needs to be there so that a nurse can check her esophageal flap every hour and make sure it has blood flow. This is usually done for 48 hours after surgery, as this time has passed I am not sure just why they are not moving her to a regular room. The nurse I spoke with said that she may go to a regular room tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for healing.