Joe is getting better!!!! (long)

[Guest guest]

Rabecca,

First let me say thanks for your info and update on Joe and Joy - I know everyone on this list has been anxious and waiting to hear how Joe is doing - and how Joy is hanging in with him.

Joe and Joy:

I know you have warned us all of the dangers we face going in to this kind of surgery, and we all hope we will not be one of the ones to have post op problems. But when we are the "one" - facing it becomes an up front and personal 'contest'. I know Joe - that pain is far from fun -- but I also know that not to feel ANY pain -- is not the alternative any of us want either! I am glad you are still fighting ... still feeling ... still with us. And Joy ... gather your strength in close woman ...hold on tight to your man's hand. Together the two of you will come through this .. and there will be better tomorrows. love and hugs, Judi

Judi in MS

Denied, on 1st Appeal

Dr. Booth

BMI 59

[Guest guest]

rabeca, thanks for that encouraging report on joe, it made my day to hear he

is steadily improving. getting home will really do more for him than all the

meds. please send my best wishes.....thanx......sea ya

joe d

i'd rather be fishing

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

I just got off the phone after having a wonderfully long conversation with Joy. Joe is starting to get better!!!

To bring people up to date on Joe, I must bring in past info to make sure we are all on the same page... Joe went back into the hospital by ambulance over the weekend due to level 10 pain that medication wasn't helping. After laying in the ER for 11 1/2 hours with drs that didn't know what to do with him and without pain meds, fluids, or IVs given, he was finally sent back up to 6C-VA, which felt like home to he and Joy. A nurse there bugged a dr into starting Joe on Morphine due to the incredible amount of pain he was in. They tried to get an IV started, but found that he was so dehydrated that they had to put in a central line with an itty bitty tube because his veins were no longer able to take an IV. Dr. Welker, who was reportedly out of town, popped into Joe's room and gave them the news... Joe needed a second surgery to repair a hole in his stomach. Dr Welker felt just awful and was swearing off of any more lap surgeries as he took Joe back in.

Dr Welker and the Chief of surgery worked together to repair the hole in Joe's stomach. They found the hole was not near the part of the stomach worked on in the original surgery. It was not along any suture line or along any other area touched by surgery. Dr Welker closed Joe up as the chief of surgery came out to talk to Joy. Joy was really glad that Dr Welker was able to come in and do the surgery and was reassured by the fact that the Chief of surgery was in with him...

Joe made it through the second surgery, but was in pretty bad shape. His kidneys had shut down due to the lack of fluid in his body and they had to be careful how much fluids they gave him due to his heart. Too much fluid would send Joe into congestive heart failure, but it was imperative that the kidneys were given enough to try and help them to function again. This was a balance they struggled to keep. Joe's heart rate wasn't too encouraging. It kept dropping to 50 over 25. Joy said that it seemed like he was almost dead at times. He had some infection in his abdomen due to the leakage from his stomach and they had to open his incision and pack it with gauze. He ran a fever and was in quite a bit of pain.

Now for the good news... Joe's kidneys have begun to function again... He is able to urinate, though the hospital staff are unsure whether they are quite back to normal yet. His blood pressure is getting better and he is not dropping off low like he was. Joy reports that he is also passing some gas. The bariatric bed that they have brought in to ICU for Joe is reported to be even better than Select Comfort. It is like sleeping on air and the air in it circulates. Joe's fever broke when the pulled the central line out and were able to put him on a regular IV. He was allowed onto a restricted liquid diet of Jell-O, broth, and limited amounts of water today, which was a godsend considering he hadn't had anything orally since the weekend! He has been able to sit in a chair and on the edge of the bed for brief periods. He has not had any nausea or vomiting at all through this whole process. The drs say that if he keeps improving at the rate he has been going, he could possibly be moved from ICU to 6C-VA as soon as tomorrow. This is where he and Joy would most like to be as it feels like home to them.

Though Joe is doing so much better, he is still in a lot of pain. Even though he is on morphine, he still reports that he hurts all over all the time. When they have to change the packing and have to lift the flap of skin to pull the gauze out and put fresh in, he finds the pain almost unbearable. Joy says that she has never seen him so weak or helpless as he has been after this second surgery. He still sleeps almost all the time and is having trouble focusing when he wakes up. It is as if he is in a light sleep all the time that he startles out of. It just is not in his nature to be down like this and it has been hard on both of them.

I am going to start a log of all the letters sent to Joe and Joy since Joe has been in the hospital. Joe's modem crashed, which makes it so they cannot get back online until they are back home. They want to have a copy of all the well wishes and prayers sent their direction because they believe that it is what pulled Joe through... They are extremely grateful for their friends and support given and also thank those who have stayed away due to illness (Joe really couldn't handle getting sick right now, but would enjoy phone calls once he is out of ICU, out of pain, and is more alert... he just is not up to it yet!) Any messages, well wishes, and support given will be included in the log, which will be forwarded along to them!

Thank you again for all your prayers and chickens... They are much appreciated!!!

~hugs~Rabecca, Portland ORDr Baltasar, SpainTo be switched in June, 2001BMI 38

[Guest guest]

Joe,

I am so sorry to hear about what you've been through, and relieved that you

are getting better. I have been thinking about you constantly since your

surgery and hope that you continue to improve and can get back home as soon

as is possible.

It sounds like you are in good hands and that things are only going to

improve for you. I look forward to reading about your experience from you

when you are up to it.

Know that my thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery.

Jillian

Dr. Hares

Surgery date 12/11

[Guest guest]

Joe,

I am so sorry to hear about what you've been through, and relieved that you

are getting better. I have been thinking about you constantly since your

surgery and hope that you continue to improve and can get back home as soon

as is possible.

It sounds like you are in good hands and that things are only going to

improve for you. I look forward to reading about your experience from you

when you are up to it.

Know that my thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery.

Jillian

Dr. Hares

Surgery date 12/11

[Guest guest]

Joe,

Thank goodness you are getting better, I am sending good wishes your

way.

Teri

[Guest guest]

Joe, I am so happy to her you are doing better. I hope Joy (?) is doing fine

too with her problems. I pray for you everyday.

Re: Joe is getting better!!!! (long)

> Joe,

>

> I am so sorry to hear about what you've been through, and relieved that

you

> are getting better. I have been thinking about you constantly since your

> surgery and hope that you continue to improve and can get back home as

soon

> as is possible.

>

> It sounds like you are in good hands and that things are only going to

> improve for you. I look forward to reading about your experience from you

> when you are up to it.

>

> Know that my thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery.

>

> Jillian

> Dr. Hares

> Surgery date 12/11

>

>

[Guest guest]

Joe, I am so happy to her you are doing better. I hope Joy (?) is doing fine

too with her problems. I pray for you everyday.

Re: Joe is getting better!!!! (long)

> Joe,

>

> I am so sorry to hear about what you've been through, and relieved that

you

> are getting better. I have been thinking about you constantly since your

> surgery and hope that you continue to improve and can get back home as

soon

> as is possible.

>

> It sounds like you are in good hands and that things are only going to

> improve for you. I look forward to reading about your experience from you

> when you are up to it.

>

> Know that my thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery.

>

> Jillian

> Dr. Hares

> Surgery date 12/11

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Joe and Joy...

My heart goes out to both of you as you go through your hospital

ordeal. Like everyone on the list, I've been thinking of you both and

sending you my best wishes and many prayers.

I know that this has been a rough road and probably a pretty scary one,

too. It's a temporary phase though and it sounds like things are

already getting much better. In a few weeks, months, and then a year

this will all be a distant memory and you will both be feeling so much

better. I've been reading lots of post-op experiences in the message

archives and it's amazing how people bounce back from complications.

I miss both of you on the list and I am thinking of you every day. Get

well soon!

=====

H

Dr. Keshishian/surgery 11-21-2000

San Francisco Bay Area

mailto: hillsmith2000@...

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Dear Joe:

So glad to hear you are doing better. Hang in there, dude. Remember, as you know, to just take it one day at a time. We have all been very concerned, as we all care and also miss you. Just take it slow . You have followed your dream...take one step at a time, and don't settle for less, just continue to climb, dear friend. Love, Darlene in Fl.

[Guest guest]

Dear Joy: I want you to know you are in my prayers also. Be brave, Joy. We are all praying for you guys. I know you must have a lot of fear right now, but remember the prayer, "Footprints." We may not be with you physically, but I am sure all our kindred spirits are standing right beside you. Remember that recovery is a path, not a sudden landing. Much love and compassion, Darlene in Fl.