Progress

Creeping up to a month post surgery, and Dad is doing really, really well.  A visit with the surgeon last week cleared him to eat anything he wants to try, including sausage!  However, it's been a bit of a learning curve to figure out what works and what doesn't. The first week home was mostly soft foods.  Second week added a bit more meat and potatoes.  He's been avoiding things like rice, toast, and veggie and fruit "skin" to make sure that nothing gets caught in the anastamosis (the place where his stomach and what's left of his esophagus meet in his throat) as it is healing. He's done OK with rice, but still avoiding most of the other stuff.  He's been advised to get 105 grams of protein a day, which is equivalent to 15 servings!  So we've been checking labels and adding greek yogurt and tofu to our diet as we can.  Did you know that one container of Fage plain greek yogurt has 20 grams of protein?  That is a crazy amount, especially for something that tastes like sour cream :)   So, as we had read and everyone seemed to tell us, multiple mini meals throughout the day works better than 3 square meals, and he and Mom are figuring out what and when works for them.  Eating throughout the day has never been a problem.  Eating the right things so that by the end of the day you've gotten all the nutrients you need is a bit harder.

He has also been OK'd to drive since he isn't on any of the heavy medications.  However, his external incisions keep him from being able to turn his head very far or very quickly.  And he still has the 10 lb lifting restriction for another month or so.  But he's getting stronger every day.  He and Mom drove out to the thrift store in Warm Beach last week, and Dad worked at Josephine (the nursing home where he does chaplain work) for a few hours on Friday.  We're planning to go to Bellingham tomorrow for church, but Dad won't be preaching, still a few weeks before he and his voice are strong enough for that.

Because he is doing so well, and because Andy and his family will be coming out for a visit later in October, I'm heading back to Rochester on Tuesday.  I really didn't know what to expect for this recovery time, but have been amazed to see God at work to bring Dad so far so quickly.

Lessons from my Father

This summer I have had the privelege of spending a lot of time with my parents.  More time than any since the year I lived with them after college.  My Dad, ever the teacher has taught me a few things over the past few months and I thought I'd share them with you.

1. Mirrors are there for a reason.  Use them

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. ALWAYS bring a container on your walks.  You never know when you might find more blackberries

  

3. You have to get up pretty early in the morning if you want to do the Sudoku around here.

Blackberries

One of the real joys of living in Washington in September is all the blackberries. They literally grow like weeds out here.  Mom and Dad have a ton of blackberry bushes in their back yard and they keep on producing.  Berries of all kinds are not on Dad's approved list of foods because of the seeds, but he's been busy keeping Mom and me well supplied, and I've been out picking some too.  Yesterday, I decided to try a bon apetit recipe for blackberry buttermilk cake.  I think it turned out quite nicely.

Heading home

It's official, Dad is being discharged today. Soft solids have been going quite well, and the strictest of the sternum regulations (no hands behind his back, don't lift elbows above the shoulder) have been lifted. There's quite a bit of paperwork and stuff, but as soon as the nurses are able to do those final discharge things. He's feeling and looking good. And looking forward to resting at home.

Food!!!

OK, "food" is a stretch, but the NG tube is out, and Dad has been OK'd to swallow.  Trying some apple juice and possibly some broth this afternoon.  Taking it nice and slow, but so far it seems to be going ok.  He's been waiting for this and teasing every new nurse that comes on about some coffee or supper, so we're all enjoying being able to order something from a menu. 

Monday again

It's been a week since surgery, and the NG tube is coming out today!  Dad had an examination early this morning and they decided to proceed with removing the NG tube today and then observing him closely and possibly coming home tomorrow!  Mom and I are going up to Seattle later this morning to see what's up, but things are likely to be moving quickly once that tube comes out.  Will update more as I know it.

Day 3

Day 3 and still going strong. Dad seems a bit more alert today, staying awake a bit longer at a time, going 7 and 8 laps on his walks.  In fact, his nurse told him he needs to cut back on the number of laps he does since he's really not getting many calories in via his feeding tube. Definitely not what he wanted to hear, but kinda funny for Mom and me to hear.  They are in the process of removing his neck and chest "tubes" (drains) right now. (down to 5 for those of you counting at home) I chose this time to step out since I don't do real well with blood or tubes or anything like that. They'll be taking him for a chest x-ray later this evening to make sure there aren't any air pockets or other issues with the removal of these drains. The plan is to "cap" his epidural tomorrow and try controlling his pain via meds through the NG tube. That may slow him down a bit, but not if he has any control over it :-)