June 3-Evening update

Hello. Mark is making slow progress. He did well with the nerve blocks turned off this morning and his nurse pulled them out before noon today. He is now just using the PCA pump of Dilaudid for pain control and can still get IV narcotics every 8 minutes as he needs them by pushing his button. It seems to be doing the trick for the most part. He hurts a lot when he has to cough.

He has been up several times for short walks in the halls and has done well. We got up for a sponge bath as well. The catheter in his bladder was removed and he is having a hard time with that one. If he cannot urinate by late tonight, they may have to put the catheter back in. Trust me, he is trying REALLY hard to not have that happen.

He still has the NG tube in. The doctors discussed clamping it tomorrow for a trial run to see how he does. He is still having some nausea spells tonight and getting quite a bit out of it, so we'll see how that goes. If he can tolerate it through the day, they may pull that tube by tomorrow evening. That will be a big one for Mark since the tube is making his throat VERY sore. He refuses to talk for the most part and uses sign language and gestures to communicate as much as possible. It is really sad. (I know many of you can't imagine Mark not talking, but it's true!!!).

Mark's hemoglobin fell to 7.9 which is getting close to half of what he should be. He is pretty anemic and the debate is whether or not to give him a blood transfusion. Matt and I both think this may be his lowest day and he will start rebounding. If he is lower by much tomorrow, I am betting he will get blood. He is still dizzy and weak and it is impacting the activity he can tolerate.

I know it sounds like I am telling all the negative things, but Mark has really been a star patient and is right on course for this surgery or maybe a little ahead of the curve. He is stable and doing well. This is a huge surgery and is much harder on the body than bypass surgery per the surgeon's description. The average hospital stay after this surgery is 12-14 days.

We continue to give thanksgiving to God for the miracle of the surgery itself and for sending us here to Dr. Bartlett and his capable team of doctors and staff. We have been very blessed in our lives and we pray that we continue to see God's goodness. Thanks for the support and prayers. God bless!!!!