Vancouver Update

Good Evening Everyone,

The hyperbaric treatments are going well although there are no noticeable signs that anything is happening from it. I'm tired all the time and I spend most every morning snoozing. The lodge is centrally located and the shopping on Broadway is perfect for us to walk to and from.

We see Dr. Scott Durham again next Thursday at 10:30 AM about the trachea tube with the plug in it and how I'm doing with it. I wear it all the time except when I'm sleeping. You might remember from older Blog updates I suffer from sleep apnea and when I sleep with the plug and breathe through my nose, I don't sleep well the sleep apnea keeps waking me up. We're going to ask Dr. Durham to give us a referral to the Sleep Centre at UBC.

I am having troubles with my food tube. Its a Foley size 14 and the rubber end where I plug in my Lopez Valve to enable feeding and taking meds has stretched to the point where the Lopez Valve does not stay in. We have made modifications by adapting a connector which has a larger end than the Lopez Valve but even now that is starting to show signs of wearing out its welcome.

Next week on Monday or Tuesday we'll ask the Doctor at the Hperbaric Unit to give us a referral to the Ostomy Clinic at VGH and see if they have any good ideas for us. Apparently it is not very easy to replace the Foley Catheter. Keep your collective fingers crossed for me.

Well that's it for now folks. It's raining here in Vancouver and quite warm in the 10C range during the days and we are wearing wind breakers and carrying umbrellas which are practically unknown in Vanderhoof during the winter months. Other than the fatigue I mentioned earlier I am well and actually gaining a little bit of weight. I've started taking a protein shake daily and that is helping. We walk a fair amount every day and I'm feeling stronger.

I'll update again so keep tuned in.

Love and hugs to you all,

Rick

Update

Hi,

Dolores is updating the blog for me.

We saw the oropharangoloist surgeon yesterday and he believes that Rick should be able to get rid of the trach at some point. He wants us to plug it and try for two weeks and record the progress or lack of. We will continue the hyperbaric sessions for probably 40 treatments. We are at 8 so far with no ill effects. Dr. Durham wants Rick to see a thoracic surgeon while we are here to discuss the esophogeal fistula and how we can repair it. He even talked about being able to thin out the epiglottis with laser surgery. We both feel that we finally have come across someone who would like to assist us to try to get somewhere near normal living.It feels pretty good,everyone at the hyperbaric unit are really great and the other patients seem almost like a little family ,as the same people come to the same sessions. I think that is about all from Vancouver for now

love you guys

New Treatments

Good evening everyone,

I've finished the first week of treatments (4). All is going well. I'm pressed for time right now but I will report more either tomorrow or Tuesday.

Both Dolores and I are over our colds and are feeling much better.

Much more on the treatments and the Hyperbaric Chamber itself.

Bye for now,


Rick

About to Leave

Good evening all,

Dolores and I leave for Vancouver on Saturday morning. We'll drive to Williams Lake on Sat. spend the night with her Sister in law Linda at Big Lake and drive to Vancouver on Sunday. I start the hyperbaric treatments on Monday.

While we are away I have a new E-mail address: kiarick.honey@gmail.com .

I will update frequently while we are away and keep you all posted. We are taking our new lap top with us and we will check for messages daily.

Until then.

Love and Hugs,

Rick