Larry update

Hello everyone and thank you for your prayers.  Larry is still in the hospital.  He has lost about 10+ lbs.  He is cranky and wanting to come home.  The Drs. did an upper GI endoscopy today.  They found a rather large verises(sp) and capped it off.  His throat is sore and swears the scope they used was the size of a large TV remote control.  I think he will be in for a few more days, don't know yet.

I want to tell everyone that is a care giver and to the patient also, how important it is to have a Medical Power of Attorney.  This does not give you the right to make decisions for that person as long as they are able, it is a back-up in case the patient is unable to make those decisions.  It also gives you (the care-giver) permission to call the hospital and get an update from the nurses station about your loved one.  You can get this form filled out and signed right in the hospital.  Just ask for Social Services to come to your room and they will take care of it right there.  Also, it is a good time to make a Living Will.  That way as the MPoA, you know that person's wishes in case the worst happens.  These forms stay in their medical records wherever they are. They will also give you a copy in case there is ever any question as to who you are. 

Since Larry was admitted on the weekend, the weekly staff did not know me, so I had to whip out my MPoA and prove I was who I said.  I wanted to get an update since Larry was quite groggy and still referring to the size of the scope they used  and was using words I'm sure he learned in the Navy.

I will be praying for all.  Thanks for listening.

Big Sister.

It is so reasurring to know that someone is there rooting for us. thank you for that.

I will be praying for your friends transplant and that all goes well.

I will add hi to my prayer list and would love to know his first name.

Larry was in the Navy, on the Constellation. He was in for six years from 1972.  He was off the coast of Viet Nam for two tours.

I love the Hugs,

-Paula

Hi Big Sister,

I am glad to hear Larry is doing better. Best wishes on your meeting.  I have a friend with hep c - end stages. He broke his hip also 1 1/2 years ago - but they would not fix it - placed him on hospice. They told him his platlets were too low from his liver disease.  But I am wondering about it now.  How did Larry get his hip fixed? Did they question at all that it might not work because of the problems related to liver cirrhosis? Thanks

Gayle

Hi Jen,

Larry is at the Gastro today.  My Step-Dad took him.  So I will let everyone know this afternoon.

Sorry I have been re-miss in reply's.  My youngest is getting married this weekend.  So needless to say it is a little hectic at my house.

I'll be back,

-Big Sister

Hi Jen,

Larry was doing well until the last few days.  He is having alot of pain from the broken hip.  One of the screws is working it way out.  As it is one leg is 1 inch shorter than the other, so walking was difficult. We had an elevated shoe made, but it is too heavy for him to lift in his weakened condition. He ran out of the pain meds, so he is at the ER at the VA right now, as he is unable to stand up. He was going to be evaluated by a Ortho to see what can be done.  As you know all things take time......

He has lost about thirty lbs (water weight) and has been very good about his nuturition.  We have gotten the info concerning the Transplant and they told him he appeared to be a good candidate. So, now were are going thru the screening process.  Our biggest problem now is the support person to go Portland with him.  It will take approximately six months, for someone to be there with him before and after.  Like everyone else we all have to work.  I am depending on God to provide.

The wedding was wonderful, very sweet.  I will always remember the look on my son's face as he said his vows.  They went to Colorado on their honeymoon.

Hugs to you and God Bless

-Paula

   Larry is better today after some really good pain meds.  He saw two Drs. yesterday and they are evaluating him. They told him it mught be some sort of PT, but not sure yet.  He goes to the gastro on Friday, so we will wait and see.

We are blessed that his care is thru the VA.  They have such compassion for everyone that comes in.  I haven't seen that kind of caring at a hospital in along time.  We have nothing but praise for them. I would advise anyone who qualifies not to hesitate about getting treatment there.

I'll keep you posted.  How are your loved ones.  I seem to only think about Larry and no one else these days.

Love, Paula

  Hi Jules,  Very happy to her about Mark.  God is indeed good. 

 I have my son's Spider so we took it for spin and got some ice cream. When we got home I put some eggs on to boil to make egg salad for Larry for lunch tomorrow.  MMMM ate the ice cream, put the cat out.  Came to my room to got ready for bed. Then all of sudden there was a big POP, I ran out of my room thinking Larry had fallen etc.  Nope it was the eggs exploding all over the kitchen.  They do get airborne.  Larry thought it was really funny that I had done that.  Since I am supposed to be the Care Giver, responsible one and so on.  I can still hear him laughing in his room.  Think I'll turn my TV up louder.

Enjoy and God Bless

-Paula

  Hi Julie, 

 I am not laughing anymore, my house smells like a sewer, ok I'm still laughing.

The Doc told Larry he needed to eat more protein, his levels are down.  He told him to eat steak, eggs and so on. The other restriction is sodium.  We'll see what happens on Firday.

By the way Larry does not want me to cook for him anymore hehe

God Bless,

-Paula

Julie,

Thanks for the Oust suggestion.  I'll have to pick some up.

The Drs. are having a conferance with the Mayo today about Larry's hip options. The previous surgery pins have come loose and there is bone maass that obstucted the healing.  A hip replacement was suggested, but they don't know if he is strong enough to make it thru the surgery. So we wait......

Thanks for being there,

Love You & God Bless

-Paula

Julie,

I also believe that. I know that the Lord has a plan that all things work together for His glory.  He is El Roi, The All Seeing God.  We only have to trust Him.

Love

-Paula

Thank you so much for your information and response.

We just heard back from the eval team and they said they would have to do bone grafs and a replacement. His hip is basically fractured again.  They also told him he would not be able to have this surgery until he had a liver transplant. He cannot put any weight on his leg at all right now he is using a walker with wheels. He is in extreme pain, only the drugs make his pain bearable at all. He is pretty depressed at the moment.

We want to check into getting a scooter.  Does anyone know if the VA, Medicare or who we could go to to get one? How we go about getting one?

I feel so sad for him.  I can't even imagine the agony he is in.

I will pray for you as I can tell you have been thru alot.  God bles and thanks again for your support.

Love, Paula

I would ask his doctors about it.  (I don't think that they'll do the scooter, but you can definitely get a wheelchair.)

Then, once they have entered the order into the computer, you just go down to OT/RT and pick it up. At least that's what we did with Mark's wheelchair; it took maybe a week.  The hospital called us when it was ready to pick up.

Or - we've got a wheelchair, support bars for the toilet, a pull-bar for the shower, and a shower chair - that you can have.  We don't need them, we just don't have anywhere to store them, so they're still set-up.

Let me know.

You just let us know what you need.  It'll all be here, I promise.  (I'm too lazy to move it!  ;-O  )

God has blessed me, with lots of new friends and a wonderful new family.