Hi folks,
This is Dolores blogging for Rick. He was admitted on Thursday last week for the reconstructive
surgery on his tracheo-esophageal fistula. We have been fortunate to have two of the best surgeons in the province doing his surgery. A muscle was needed to repair the esophogus so they decided to take it from his left pectoral muscle. they stripped a 1 inch strip about 8 inches long ,left it attached at the breast bone for blood supply. Then the breast bone was spared from being split and theytook one of the lumps at the base of his neck and sawed it off. the collar bone was unattached to make room for them to do the repair. The trachea ot the wind pipe also needed
to be repaired but it is not as flexible as the esophogus so they cut it off, took out the fistula and then reattached the two pieces. They had 4 units of blood on hand,but didn't need to use any.
He was kept in post anaestheic overnight for one to one observation.Many tubes and wires for fluids and telemetry. All was well, he was moved to a step down unit on the twelveth floor A side.
Here he has close observation for 5 more days as this is a very tricky surgery and things can go sideways in a heart beat. He has sequential compression stockings on to help prevent blood clots,a
central line for fluids as he is a hard i.v. start,foley catheter for you know what, continuous
humidified oxygen for the trach,intrathecal for pain meds. All in all they have looked after all aspects of his care. Dr.Yee the thoracic surgeon is pleased with his progress. If all goes well we hope that he will be out of there by Saturday or Sunday.I am thankful for the reiki and prayers that people have sent on our behalf. We may be able to have Rick eat by years end. What a great thing that would be and we healthy folk just take it for granted. We had him up walking today, not far but a start of all good things. Take care Dolores
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2 comments:
Dolores,
Thanks for being an Angel in disguise, for my good friend, RDH. I could always tell at hockey in the old days, that he is a fighter, and a survivor.!
I was looking at his bio on the Blog not so long ago, and was just about to get him to change the part about liking good food... in as much as he was reduced to those healthy little milkshakes. Here is hoping the recent surgery will change all that - Rick used to like Good Food and Fast Women; since he met you, he likes a Good Woman, and Fast Food. (or was that loose women...!?? oops.!; let's not go there :-)
I know that you will be doing your best to get him back on the farm and doing his chores soon, instead of lollygagging around..!!!
PJRB (Pat)
Franco and Colleen send thoughts and prayers your way... we are not on the computer as much as we should be, to follow your progress Rick but even though we are not in touch, we think of you often and only wish you and Dolores wonderful times ahead... you have been through a lot and and and...
Hugs ~ Col
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