Back to the Ranch

Good evening everyone,

Well, the hernia surgery has come and gone and from that point I am better and without any significant amount of pain. On the other hand, while the surgery went well the recovery was something else again. I came out of the surgery well enough and it was always the plan that I would stay in the hospital overnight for observation.

Somehow, the post operative orders got confused and I was given my regular evening tube feed and a protein shake earlier in the afternoon. This was contrary to the post op plan where I was to receive only IV Fluids after the surgery. Sometime during the early morning hours I was terribly sick and threw everything up. I spiked a fever of 38.7 as well.

Dr. Dhillon was called in and when I had been calmed down and made more comfortable, it was decided to do chest ex rays in the morning to determine if I had aspirated during the vomiting. Sure enough the ex rays showed evidence of aspiration in the left lung and I was immediately put on a regime of three anti biotics. By Saturday morning I had aspiration pneumonia in both lungs.

Dolores stayed with me the whole time. I was assigned a private ward and the hospital staff put a cot in the room and she took care of me except for the IV administrations. I was finally released on Thursday April 22nd 7 days after originally planned and I am finally getting some of my strength back. I was very weak when we left the hospital and I will be on anti biotics for another three days.

The good side of the story is that I am now getting better by the hour and the hernia surgery was a complete success. Dolores has taken yet more time off to make sure I get over the first 10 days back at home with as little discomfort as possible. 24 hour nursing care, I surely am the very lucky guy.

That's it for the time being but, like always stay tuned for further updates particularly as they relate to my son Brock.

Until then, Love and Hugs to everyone.

Rick

Surgery

Good morning all,

Tomorrow, April 15th, I am going to be admitted to St. John Hospital here in Vanderhoof for early morning (9:00) hernia surgery. I am scheduled to have a Spinal Injection rather than full anesthetic. Normally this would be a day surgery, but because of my condition with the Tracheostomy and the Peg Tube and my current state of health, I will be kept in the hospital over night and the decision to release me will be made Friday morning.

I am concerned because this is new to me. I've never had this type of surgery and the scariest part is the 6 weeks rehabilitation/healing time. I imagine I'll be able to update the Blog within a matter of days so keep tuned for updates.

Other than that, I an doing well. The food tube is bothersome and I'm still having problems adjusting to it. I thought that we had a system of anti nausea drugs in place that worked pretty well but recently I've been having trouble keeping the food down. Dolores and I are confused and really don't know what the answer is. Unfortunately neither do the Doctors. So, at least for the time being it is struggle on as best as possible.

Until later, love and hugs to everyone.

Rick

Hernia Surgery

Good morning everybody,

The hernia surgery is scheduled for next Thursday April 15th at 9:00

AM. This all came to a climax on Monday this week while Dolores,

Milton and Mother were down at Big Lake for Olmers funeral. It was

about 10:30 AM and I was getting dressed after my morning tube feed

when I felt a terrible pain in my groin area. Usually this is a sign

that the hernia has popped out more than it usually does. In times

past when this has happened Dolores has been home to push the swelling

back in. Not on Monday and try as I might I had no luck. The pain

was getting worse and worse so I called David and asked him to drive

me to the hospital. He was concerned for me and agreed readily but, I

knew I was taking him away from his farm duties and this is the

busiest time of the year for him. Calving season is in full force.

We got me to emergency and the charge nurse called the Duty Doctor who

called Dr. Klopper. In the meantime I was given a shot of Demerol

with Gravol and before you know it the swelling has gone down to

normal and the pain subsided. Dr. Klopper was concerned and said he

was going to schedule surgery asap and before I left the hospital the

date was set and yesterday I went in for the pre surgical appointment,

Had the blood work done and had an ECG. So now it's on and I must

admit I'm worried about the surgery but, I know I am in good hands and

Dolores is here to help me when I get home.

That's it for now folks. I'll update before I go in for the surgery or directly after.

Love and Hugs,

Rick