Hanging in There

This is the standard answer I use when asked by others, "How's your husband?". It's easier and it doesn't take up a lot of their time or mine. People accept it with a smile. If I told them how he is REALLY doing...not so much smiling I'm sure. It's a day to day thing, sometimes it's hour by hour and minute by minute. We're defeating the silent enemy by way of diligence in hygiene and constantly turning him from side to side. The wound looks a lot better IMO.

Not much to report believe it or not. Things have been quiet for the most part. His cough has calmed, he's not eating particularly well, but that tube feeding is sustaining him. He's lost 0 pounds. That stuff has 475 calories per 8 ounce serving, he gets 4 cans per night. Almost 2000 calories per feeding! Who can lose weight like that? NOBODY! Yay!

He has 2 doctor's appointments coming up, I'm sure I'll have lots to share at that time. One is with a vascular doctor to see if we can do anything else in the battle of the bedsores. Just to make sure says the primary care doc. The other is for permanent placement of his dialysis access. NOT fun! Outpatient surgery if all goes well he'll come home afterwards. He won't like it. He's fought against putting the access into his arm for about 2 years now...but it's my decision to make and I think it's in his best interest. Minimizes the risks of infection greatly. Do it! He may curse me out afterwards..but I can take it!

Stay tuned for the skinny over the next few weeks.