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