Hi all,
Just some updates regarding my dad's progress. He's now post-operative day #4. His wound looks nice, healing well with no signs of infection. Since the surgery his main issues have been pain control, nausea and vomiting, and regaining strength and mobility.
Regarding his pain, it has been well controlled. He was initially on a self-controlled pain pump, but has since moved on to regular pain medication about every 4 hours. The hope is his pain continues to improve and he can be given oral medication to go home on and eventually weaned off.
Anytime someone has intra-abdominal surgery the bowels get disturbed from being rummaged around. It takes a little while for them to wake up and kick back in afterwards. As a result, everything backs up and my dad was feeling extremely bloated and nauseous. The team put a tube in through his nose to his stomach to resolve some of the distension and relieve some of the nausea. We're all happy to announce that my old man finally had a bowel movement this morning and that bodes well for him getting home soon.
The last thing before my dad can go home will likely be his strength and mobility. With all the nausea he hasn't been able to eat much and hasn't felt like doing much of anything. Now that that's resolving, hopefully he'll be able to get up and walk around a bit. We're hoping for discharge home by the end of the week.
Once discharged, we will await the appointment to oncology for the next step.
As always, our deepest thanks to everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Hi Stefflers,
ReplyDeleteIt's Richie Cleminson here. I phoned the home phone yesterday to make sure you know I have you all in my prayers. My kids (Jessica 18, Ben 16, and Amy 13) and I are visiting my parents in July in Burlington. I want to come visit you guys. I hope that's ok? I'll bring JP along for comic relief. Don't worry, if you don't have any beer in the house, I'm sure JP will be packin' some.
See you in July.
Sincerely from Kathleen's long lost cousin,
Richie
Hi Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me, but I know your Father. Please let him know that I am thinking about him, and that I wouldn't be the person I am today without his teachings. He was like a Father figure to me. All of my most sincere love, thoughts and prayers at this time.
Keni Oliver
SDCI English 1992-1996
When I hear the birds of spring in the morning, I think of and pray for your Dad, a truly inspiring teacher / man.
ReplyDeleteBY EMILY DICKINSON
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
Thoughts of Rick's word power and student love, like the little bird, keep me "warm" and give me hope too.
S.M. (Beck's mom)
He taught her this poem! :-)
You'll never know all the lives he's touched and all the students he's empowered...nor all the families...like a ripple in a lake...We love you Mr. Steffler and family.