Thursday 11:30 am Update

Hi Yall - Not much to report. Wednesday was a good day for Steve. He had another bag of fluids along with his TPN and this seems to give him more energy. I'm pretty much doing all the home care myself. Lincare only comes to the house now to bring supplies and load the bags with vitamens. Food is still a big issue, however. Last night Steve wanted potato soup instead of something with a clear broth --- this did not sit well on his stomach. He had a pretty yucky night so today we will be much more careful!!!! Chaney - thanks for the great visit yesterday. Steve really enjoyed it and was a tremendous help to me.

Tuesday, 3:00 pm Update

Today is our fourth day at home!! Sunday and Monday weren't such great days. Steve seemed to get weaker and weaker. I took him to see the nutritionist Monday afternoon and after lots of discussion the doctor decided to add a bag of fluids to Steve's TPN. He had a low blood pressure with a fast heart rate which shows signs of dehydration. Lincare (the home health people), showed up at the house around 7:00 last night and hooked him up the the fluids. They also drew blood and are running cultures to make sure there is no infection. The bag of fluids ran all night and Steve woke up this morning feeling better and seems to have a little more energy. Steve is also trying soft foods. He had some chicken noodle soup for lunch ---- we'll know soon if that is tolerable. This is a very slow healing process. We seem to take one step forward and two steps back, but the doctor warned us it would be like this. We are learning to take baby steps ---- not an easy thing to do when you consider the fast paced lives we live.

Saturday, 9:00 pm update

Yea --- Another good day. Steve had a good night sleep in his own bed and a shower in his own bathroom. Home Sweet Home. No truer words were ever spoken. The Lincare nurse came to the house this afternoon and talked me through changing Steve's TPN. Tomorrow if I can do it all by myself, with no help, they will only have to come to the house 3 times a week instead of every day. Steve is also tolerating liquids with no problems. If this keeps up we will try soft foods on Monday. What a difference a few days make. Thank you God for every day of healing.

Friday, 8:00 pm Update

OK......I'm almost afraid to say it, but......WE'RE HOME!!!!!!!! We finally left the hospital at about 4:00 this afternoon. I won't tell you that this awful female bus driver almost hit me, the nurse and the car while we were loading everything up. Needless to say I will be making a call to her boss in the morning....but that's another story. WE'RE HOME!!!!!!! The home health care people have already come by and Steve is hooked up to his TPN. At about the same time she was hooking him up Michael was in the kitchen searing a couple of steaks so I told Steve to just close his eyes and imagine that the TPN was ground up steak. I don't think he went for that idea. Now, if we can just have a peaceful, uneventful evening...........!!!!!!! Oh, I almost forgot - right before we left one of Steve's doctors came in and told us that his CEA (blood test that shows the presence of tumors) is negative!! Thank you God!!!!!! Steve and I both want you all to know that we appreciate all the prayers and that it's those same prayers that have given us the strenght to get through this huge ordeal. He still has a ways to go but as his doctor said, "He's the strongest man I have ever seen!" I know that with God's help he'll have a complete recovery.

Thursday, 9:30 pm Update

Today is my birthday and I recieved the best birthday present ever!!! When I got to the hospital this morning Steve was sitting in the chair with a big smile on his face and color in his cheeks. He looked like the old Steve. We walked around the halls several times and talked and laughed like we were at home instead of the hospital. The doctor removed the drain that was in his liver and he says that if the nutrition doctor is happy we can go home tomorrow afternoon. There's still the matter of regulating his sugar and no one has talked to me about this but hopefully I'll know more in the morning. I will keep you posted.
Paddy

Thursday 9:30 am Update

Good Morning!! Do I sound chipper this morning?!? Well, I am!! I got to sleep in my own bed last night!!!!!!! I'm on my way to the hospital now but I will briefly tell you that I talked to Steve and he had a good night!!!!! No nausea and the TPN is agreeing with him - YEA!!!!!!! He is also able to drink some clear liquids with no problem. Now all we have to do is get his insulin regulated and we should be able to come home tomorrow afternoon. I have to run because I am meeting with the home health care people this morning. I'll give you an update tonight.
Paddy

Wednesday, 9:30 am Update

There's not much to report today. Yesterday was a fairly good day. They did get Steve's PIC line in ------ it was a pretty big ordeal, (almost a small surgery). About 9:30 last night they started his TPN which is his bag of nourishment. We asked for the steak flavor but you know how that goes!! It takes a full 24 hours for one bag of TPN to be administered and as soon as it is finished they start another one. It's full of calories (protein, carbs and fats) so Steve should start to perk up and feel much better today. The doctor is still saying we will probably go home on Friday. Lord, we pray for patience.

Tuesday 9:30 am Update

Sorry there was no blog yesterday. I left for the hospital at 9:00 am yesterday morning and just now returned home. I was mistaken - there is not internet access on the floor so I have to wait until I get home to give you an update. Yesterday Steve received a CT scan which gave us good and bad news. The good news is that there is no infection and as far as we can tell no blockage. The bad news is that Steve's stomach is still not well enough to empty properly. At the time of the scan his stomach was so distended it would not drain at all. Unfortunately his stomach tube chose not to work either so they had to put a tube (NG tube), into his nose and down into his stomach to pump the fluids out. They did this at about 6:00. Because Steve was so uncomfortable I decided to spend the night. At about 10:30 I looked up to see Steve sitting on the side of the bed minus his NG tube....HE HAD PULLED IT OUT. The only reason they didn't have to re-insert it was because his stomach tube had started to work. Now the new game plan is to insert a PIC line. This line goes into a large vein and for at least the next two weeks Steve will receive all his nourishment through this line. He will probably be in the hospital for another 3 days or so and then he will come home and home health care people will come over daily and take care of his PIC line and watch his sugar while he is on it. This whole process should only last a couple of weeks but the doctor said if it takes longer not to worry, that his stomach will eventually start to work properly. I am sure this is God's way of teaching us patience! Kay, Norma - put those deserts on hold but don't forget them. Steve will be good and ready for them at the end of this ordeal.

Sunday 9:30 pm Update

There's not much to report tonight except that this weekend was long and grueling. Steve is slowly getting better. Was was able to have some liquids today and for the most part he felt pretty good. He still had some bouts with nausea but not like before. He is very restless and wants to come home really bad. He has always rebounded quickly after his other surgeries so he's not used to being down for so long. Hopefully the doctor will give him some good news in the morning. Right now I'm praying he has a good night sleep.....imagine trying to get rest in the hospital!!!

Saturday, 11:00 am Update

Being home was too good to be true. At about 7:00 last night I had to take Steve back to the hospital and have him readmitted. He was becoming very dehydrated and there was just no way to stop the nausea. When we got there the first thing they did was hook him up to an IV but because he was so dehydrated they had a real had time finding a vein. Finally after several needle sticks the fluids were going in and after about an hour he started to pink up and perk up. Sometime during the night the nausea finally subsided and this morning he feels like a new person. They are only letting him have ice chips right now but they want his stomach to have a good rest before introducing anything solid again. The good news is there is no infection, no blockage and no leaking. The doctor said that about 30% of patients that go home after having a whipple procedure wind up back in the hospital. What happened last night is very normal and nothing to become alarmed about. We are still going through the healing process and it will just take awhile to get back to normal. They are going to keep Steve in the hospital through the weekend and we will re-evaluate on Monday.

Friday, 5:00 pm Update

Sorry there was no update this morning. Steve had a bad night last night so we spent the morning at the doctors office. Steve has a tube in his stomach that is attached to a bag. Most of the time the tube is capped off. When he feels sick we connect the tube up to the bag and drain the contents of his stomach. We will have to do this for the next couple of weeks or until his stomach and pancreas heal and start to function properly. This whole process does not allow Steve much rest and we are ever vigilant that he does not get dehydrated. If this occurs its back to the hospital we go. The doctor has him on two different anti-nausea medicines but so far they are not helping much. Thankfully his incision is healing well... he got the staples out yesterday, and he's very mobile. He just has no
energy and he dozes alot. Please keep those prayers coming....we need them more than ever.

Thursday, 1:30 pm Update

Bet you wondered why you didn't hear from me this morning? Well, guess what...... WE'RE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The doctors are so pleased with Steve they felt there was nothing they could do for him that we couldn't do at home. He is presently sitting in his very soft chair in his comfy new bedroom and he is so happy to be home he won't even turn on the TV. Norma, Steve said he will be a perfect patient if it means some of your bread pudding. And Kay, don't forget those mousse bombs! Lydia, Uncle Steve's up to 2000 on his incentive spirometer....Top that! Steve still has a ways to go with his recovery but we both know we wouldn't have been able to go through all of this without all of your prayers. Thanks so much to you and our Sweet Lord!!!! Again I say, "Our God is an awsome God!"
Lots of love, Paddy
P.S. Now that we're home Steve is looking forward to visiting with all of you.

Wednesday, 9:00 am Update

Well, it's been a week since Steve's surgery. Thank God his health continues to improve. He ate (or should I say drank) a little yesterday, and this morning he even ate a little cream of wheat. The doctor said it would probably take a couple of weeks for his digestive system to completely wake up. Even though Steve is pleased with his progress the bed and recliner in his room are so uncomfortable he is miserable. He just can't settle down and get comfortable enough to get a good rest. He is so ready to get out of that room and come home. I guess we need to pray for patience along with his healing.

Tuesday, 9:00 am Update

Wow!!!! What a difference a day makes!!!! Steve had a great night last night!!!! He slept from about 9:30 pm to 4:30 am. Then he got in his chair and slept until the doctors started coming in at around 6:30. They are so pleased with his progress! Yesterday he had apple juice and chicken broth and did not get sick so today they are going to give him more of the same with maybe some jello and other soft foods. I never thought we'd get excited over jello!! Steve's pain is a little less each day and his walks around the hall are getting much faster. I think today I'll let him push his own IV pole! Thanks to everyone for being patient and not coming to the hospital to visit just yet. It's so important that Steve get as much rest as possible. He will need your visits and friendship when he gets home - he will have at least 6 weeks recovery time once he leaves the hospital. Please keep those prayers coming for a full and speedy recovery.

Monday 9:00 am Update

Well, we made it through our first night in a private room. We didn't get much sleep, however. Steve was pretty miserable. He was in a lot of pain and just could not get comfortable. To relieve his discomfort we walk the floors which really is a good thing. He's getting pretty good at pushing that walker and I gotta tell you I can really drive an IV pole. The doctor came in this morning and says everything still looks great. The pain is to be expected, but they are keeping a close eye on him making sure he does not develop an infection. Steve will finally be able to have some clear liquids today, so Kay get those moose bombs ready. I know alot of you are calling wanting to come visit Steve but let's give him a few more days to feel better and get his strength back. Now that he is on the floor we have internet access so he will enjoy reading your messages himself. Lydia, Uncle Steve says the race is "on". He's no slouch on that incentive spirometer!!!! Steve and I send our love to all. Paddy

Sunday, 2:30 pm Update

Yea!!!!!! We did it!!!!! We're out of ICU!!!! Steve has now been moved to Room 834. The doctors are very pleased with his progress. They say he's no longer sick enough for ICU but they are still keeping a very close eye on him. He is still hooked up to all kind of moniters and of course he still has all his drains. Physical Therapy came to see him this morning while I was at church and he said he did 2 laps around the ICU unit. He said he would have walked more but the therapist was tired out. Hopefully within the next few days he will feel like some company. I'll let you know when the doctors feel like it will be OK for visitors. Please keep those prayers coming ---- they are working!!!!! Our God is an awsome God!!!

Saturday, 9:30 pm Update

I've always heard that the third day after surgery is usually the worst and today was no exception. Steve is still right on track with his recovery but he is pretty sore and can't get comfortable in the bed or the chair. Physical Therapy was called in today so with the aid of a walker, Steve was able to take a few steps. He was rather shakey so they didn't push it. I think they'll try again tomorrow. I printed all of the blogs that have been sent, (there's no internet access in ICU), and read them to Steve. He really enjoyed hearing from all of you. It's all the good wishes and prayers that are getting us through this ordeal.

Friday, 9:30 pm Update

Well, it's been another long day.......but a good one. Steve is doing very well. Both his surgeon and his oncologist are very pleased with his progress. To quote his oncologist "That is the strongest man I have ever seen." He was up and sitting in his chair at least twice today. They want him to move around and use the incentive spirometer to take deep breaths as much as possible so that he doesn't get pneumonia. Steve is obeying the doctor but it's hard to take a deep breath right now so he's doing the best he can. He wants to get up and walk a little but it's not time to do that yet....I think he's getting antsy. He was tired when I left the hospital tonight. Hopefully he will get a good nights sleep and we will have another good day tomorrow. After sitting in the ICU waiting room all day today it reminds me once again how blessed we all are. There are some real sad situations in that hospital. Thank you God for all our blessings!!!!! Paddy

Friday 9:00am Update

I was able to visit with Steve at 9:00 this morning and was greeted with a smiling face and clear blue eyes. Steve looks great!!! He looks much better than he did before surgery! His eyes are clear and his color great. They removed his NG tube (the tube that went from his nose into his stomach) and he is now able to eat a few ice chips every now and then. Not what you would call a great meal but considering he has had nothing since midnight Tuesday night this little bit of ice is welcome. Steve's nurse said he had a great night and is exactly where he should be in his recovery. I would like to clarify Steve's diagnosis. Some of you have heard that Steve had pancreatic cancer. This is not the case. He has colon cancer that has metastasized to the pancreas. This is a different type of cell and is treatable with surgery, chemo and/or radiation. Steve and I thank God for our daily miracles and we thank all of you for your prayers and concerns. I will keep you updated. Paddy

Steve Update-11 p.m. July 10th

Steve underwent a 6 1/2 hour surgery on Wednesday, July 9 at Trinity hospital. The surgery was successful in that the doctor was able to remove the cancerous tumor from his pancreas along with all the surrounding lymph nodes. A small tumor was also removed from his liver. He had a procedure called a "Whipple" which involved removing part of his pancreas, his gall bladder, the duodenum, and a small part of both his stomach and small intestine. The doctor left a large part of his pancreas so he should not have a problem with becoming diabetic. He is intensive care and will be there throughout the weekend. We appreciate all the prayers, please keep them coming. God is soooo good! We feel that we have found a great team of doctors and with God's continuing help Steve should have a full recvovery.