The Tube is Out

They took the tube out of his nose this morning. He still is only allowed ice chips. He would like visitors today, so anyone is welcome. He will be in dialysis until about 12:30 or 1:00. He is in room 1026a. It is not a private room. His fever is breaking when he takes tylenol, so the docs are not too concerned. Denise said he walked over to the sink last night and he was sitting in the chair.

Thursday Night

Neal is doing pretty good still. He has a fever which they are treating with Tylenol. The surgeon is hoping to take his nose tube out tomorrow. Neal is sitting up and working on his breathing on his own. No nagging required! Denise and Austin were kind enough to clean the house up and do some laundry. Denise is also going to stay the night at the hospital tonight so I can get some sleep and work a full day tomorrow. Neal's blood pressure IS under control. I will keep you posted to changes.

Day After Surgery

Neal was in quite a bit of pain last night. He is on the self controlled morphine pump but by 4am he was calling the nurse in asking to sit up. He sat up for a couple of minutes and even stood up for about a minute. This morning he sat up for a quick sponge bath. He has a tube down his nose into his stomach to suck up any fluid (kinda looks like an elephant trunk). This will come out once there is no fluid left. Luckily he did not have to have a catheter. He will not be able to start back on his coumadine (blood thinner) until this tube is removed. The doctor said surgery went really well. They removed 1 foot of his colon. It was pretty inflammed. He also got the tube removed from his chest so he will be able to shower again. I would imagine 7 months of bird baths gets real old. Heck I did it for 2 nights and could not wait to get home to shower.


No visitors today, but hopefully tomorrow he will be feeling better. He is pretty drugged, however coherent. The only crazy thing I heard from him all night is ordering 5 pork chops and a pound of ground beef from a meat counter. He is hungry! I am guessing he will be down under 200 pounds before this is all over.

Scott Trimmer's funeral is today. I stopped by to see Leslie's family and everyone is handling it really well. They estimated there were 600 people at the funeral home last night. I think that tells you what kind of man Scott was and how kind his family is.

Surgery has begun

I will keep updating this post as the day goes on. Neal went down for surgery around 12:30. They say it will take about 3-4 hours. I am guessing we will not hear anything until 5 or 6. We are not sure where he will be after surgery, but thinking intensive care.

2:15 - Just ran into the surgeon on his way to get lunch. He said Neal has not started yet, so there will probably be no news until later tonight.

4:30 - Surprisingly we just heard from the doctor. The surgery went fine. The doctor said about a foot of his colon was removed and it was extremely inflammed. The only thing they still have to do is pull out his permacath in his chest. He will probably not be in intensive care. I will post later if I get a chance. We have not seen him yet, he is in recover.

It really looks like it is on

Well here we go. I had a little trouble with the bowl cleaner they make you drink. I threw it up half way through so I had to drink more now. I want to make sure I am nice and clean.

That is all frome me.
-Later
Neal

Another change in plans!?!?

The surgeon called Neal and would like to admit him today. He made a quick stop at Ryan and Leslie's and then home to pack. I will post an update tomorrow after surgery.

Neal is in room 1026 a. He is requesting a private room, so there may be a change, just not sure how quick.

Surgery Update

I got a call and surgery is back on for the 18th this Wednesday. I am glad it is back on but having to do all the prep work again sucks. O well. I just want it over with. I won't be going in early for this.

Later
-Neal


FYI - I have updated the Scott Trimmer post with funeral information.

Surgery Postponed

The surgeon had a family emergency. We will not know about rescheduling until later this week. Neal is at home now sleeping. I will keep you posted.

Scott Trimmer

I just want to inform you all that Ryan and Leslie's Uncle Scott passed away today. I had posted his blog link on the website a while ago. Below is the post from his blog.


SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2007 04:27 PM, EDT
Scott Lynn Trimmer passed away at 2:30 PM at Kobacker House. Our beloved Scott is now free from pain and suffering. He is in heaven with God.
Mom, Dad, Kathy, Jim, Terry, Harry, Mike, Jill, Aunt Ruth Ann, Aunt Janet, Jack, Rev. Freshhour and his wife Mary Kay were all with Scott when he died. We were all singing Amazing Grace when Scott went to heaven.

Here is his story:
Scott was diagnosed with esophageal/stomach cancer over seven years ago. He had major surgery that removed parts of both organs. He was treated with chemo and radiation. Several years later the cancer returned and additional treatment was needed. Scott went into remission again. In 2006 the cancer returned for a third time.

He was a great man with amazing friends and family. I will post the arrangements when they are known. Ryan and Leslie, let us know if you need anything and know we are thinking of you.

UPDATE
Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 North High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085. Viewing from 4PM to 8PM on Wednesday, July 18th.
Funeral at Maize Manor Church on Maize Road at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 19. Family will receive friends starting at 9:00 AM at the church.

No food or sleep

Just wanted to update the peoples. I have not had much sleep. I guess it is because of the PlayStation and the fishing game. I can't help but play it all night. I have not been eating much and I am now down to about 210. It is crazy I was up to 270 in December. I guess one good thing has come out of this whole deal. The nurses here have been ok but the doctors have really sucked. Sad to say considering I have worked here.

That is about all for now. I doubt I will be updating for a few weeks. Michele will probably do most of the updating.

And Ryan if any of the girls do say the are blood type O in Florida just club them like a little Seal Puppy and make them carry on luggage on your way home.

Later,
Neal