Yes, it is a happy thanksgiving. David is home, again! We
will be joining family for a meal later today. We have a lot to be grateful
for, family, friends, David is still with us, etc
Here is a brief recap of our latest events. (maybe not so brief?)
September 19th David went to the ER because he
was yellow and in pain. This turned out to be due to blocked bile duct,
actually they called it a stricture. Plastic stint was placed via endoscopy on
Monday, September 24.
David was feeling pretty good and was able to participate in
the Purple Stride walk October 7th. He didn’t walk as far as he had
hoped but was able to walk and we enjoyed a couple days in the RV at the nearby
RV park.
We then, after labs to confirm the stint was “working”, we
packed our bags and flew to Montreal Canada to begin what was expected to be a
long cruise including Halloween, birthday celebrations for me and Thanksgiving.
Instead we left the ship, at the “suggestion” of the ship doctor, in Tampa and
flew back to San Diego. This turned into another ER visit on Halloween, October
31 Wednesday. So our costumes and my spider earrings got this year off as I didn’t
think to dress up to go to ER. This visit led to a hospital stay which included
replacing the blocked/clogged stint with two stints, in a sort of rush,
emergency procedure. 4 days and David is released.
Fast forward to November 19th, David’s blood
sugar is dangerously low and, in the afternoon, not wee hours of the morning
when it does occasionally go low. I helped David do the usual steps to bring
his blood sugar up. It’s not moving up, started at 39 (70 is low) only moved up
to 41. A bit of panic sets in and I can tell David is affected by this low
sugar. He usually breaks out in a sweat and had already changed his T-shirt. I
am watching the T-shirt turn wet. If I weren’t in a panic, it would be rather
interesting to watch it happen before my eyes. I call the 24-hour nurse, do her
remedies as suggested and it is only moving up to 46. A bit of time has gone by
and David has checked his blood sugar 3 or 4 times. The nurse now calmly says,
hang up and dial 911. I followed her direction, not quite as calmly!
It seemed like it took forever for the big fire truck to
arrive, it’s now dark. It’s always fun to see the big strong, handsome, young
men coming and a bit of relief. The ambulance arrived and it never seemed to be
a question of if he should go to the hospital, only which hospital. And off he
goes.
A couple of neighbors came out and the neighbor next door
kindly asked if I wanted him to drive me or follow. His wife was concerned which
was very nice. In fact, these neighbors had taken my mom to the hospital many
years ago when my dad was given his own ambulance ride. There is something
about being in the same neighborhood for almost 40 years.
Was it sepsis again? Was it C-diff (until this was ruled
out, everyone had to “gown up” when going into the room, isolation was not
fun). Any infection or reaction to the diabetes medication that he’s been
taking for years. A result of the weight loss, dehydration, diarrhea or did
David just want some more of that hospital food. Many speculations, no
diagnosis, 3 days later David is released. My sister went along with me to “bail”
him out.
Thanksgiving was a lovely day spent with some family and
enjoyed good food and company. Even my 97 year old father in law was able to
attend.
Monday is the follow up appointment. I have my own theories.
Thanks to everyone who is trudging this path with us. Food and distractions and
just knowing you are all there for whatever I/we may need gives me great
comfort. Stop and smell the roses and don’t sweat the small stuff (it’s all
small stuff).
