CLAYTON's Surgery Update (long)

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

Here is the latest update on Clayton:

Surgery last 3 1/2 hours yesterday. Anatomically it was determined that he

needed the Nissen with no questions asked. His stomach was pushed all the way

up to his chest and had no esphagus showing when he was cut open. Also he had

lymph nodes and severe adhesions up and down the esphagus (once they got it

down) and the stomach indicated severe esphagitis and persistent infections.

Thus he needed the surgery or he never would have gotten better -no amount of

medications would have helped. Once they did the Nissen which went fine

(according to the surgeon) and pulled his stomach back to where it should be,

the did the g-tube placement. They had to do it twince because the first time

it came out.

He went to the Special Care Unit (A type of ICU unit) where he currently still

is. He was very drugged yesterday but was still uncomfortable so they were

giving him morphine every 2 hours. He then started to have jerky invuluntary

movements. They did not think they were seizures - but called the neuro. The

neuro said watch til morning and see if they get better. This morning the

attending ICU doc came in and watched him spasm and jerk every couple minutes.

They again consulted the neuro who then ordered ativan to be given. This

seemed to help relax his muscles which were so tense (his feet were bent up

and very tight). However, his Oxygen levels continued to drop all night and

as of now he is on a liter of oxygen. This is helping to keep his stats around

95-96. If they drop while on this amount they will increase it. He is also

having some problems breathing right not (possibly due to some swelling in the

throat area) and due to the morphine so they are trying to reduce him from

every 2 hours to every 4. He just went 3:20 between doses so this is good.

He is finally sleeping now and my computer is actually working now. They

expect him to be moved to a regular room by Monday or Tuesday and we should be

here at least a week to ten days (maybe sooner - but I guess that is wishful

thinkin). Right now they are keeping a close eye on him due to his breathing

and cold extremities.

We will see the neuro on Monday and probably will have an EEG while we are

here to rule out seizures and also due to the shivering and staring spells he

had before his admittance. They are also going to test him for a latex allergy

because they took latex precautions and want to now try to confirm any lattex

allergy. He did develop hives on his legs and arms following surgery but we do

not know why.

They have raised the g-tube today and will probably start some drip feeds on

Monday or Tuesday - depending how he is doing. They do not want to rush him.\

I want to thank a few people - - thanks for all the calls to check on

Clayton; Sherry Bishop thanks for the gorgeous flowers and ballon - and Gerry

McGreggor thanks for the wonderful pick me up last night. It was a great shock

and comfort to hear your wonderful voice and I really appreciate the call. I

am just sorry that we could not talk longer.

And again thanks to all for your continued prayers and thoughts - Barry,

Clayton and I (and of course Jake and Cole too) really appreciate it.

Love and hugs to all,

sharon