This morning the nephrologist said that dad's creatinine levels jumped up to 3.5 (not good). They are going to do a nuclear med scan on his kidneys to see how the blood is perfusing to and through his kidneys. The doctor wants to make sure the arotic tear/aneurysm is not affecting the blood flow to his kidneys. They're hoping that the kidneys are just trying to compensate for the decreased blood flow they've been receiving since his blood pressures have decreased.
Dad ate 100% of his breakfast and is now bundled up fast asleep in his bed. He was shivering all through breakfast and I think is feeling warm enough now. No more nauseasness. Dad and I think he got severely nauseas from not eating much food and taking all his medications including Percocet.
Mom is still at home with Darin. I hope he can keep her there for a while longer. She called this morning to check on dad and is still pretty emotional. I asked dad what he thought about this whole trial and tribulations situation he's been experiencing this past week and he was a bit teary eyed and didn't say anything.
We're still hoping and praying for both of his kidneys to be strong and regain function. We're also prayerful that the aortic tear can remain stable.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Monday PM Update
Tonight dad's blood pressures dropped to 120's/60's. He became severely nauseas and complained of abdominal pain. His blood pressures came back up to 140's/70's and he started feeling better. After receiving pain and nausea medication dad fell asleep. He's snoring soundly now.
Mom broke down and really cried. I think seven nights of sleeping in the hospital and being overwhelmed with everything that is going on finally got to her. We convinced her to go home and get a good nights sleep and Darin will be with her. I (Chelsea) will be staying with Dad tonight.
We were very hopeful with the improvements we saw this morning. Yet we continue to be reminded that dad has a long road ahead of him and he's not out of the woods yet. Thank you for all of your love and prayers.
Mom broke down and really cried. I think seven nights of sleeping in the hospital and being overwhelmed with everything that is going on finally got to her. We convinced her to go home and get a good nights sleep and Darin will be with her. I (Chelsea) will be staying with Dad tonight.
We were very hopeful with the improvements we saw this morning. Yet we continue to be reminded that dad has a long road ahead of him and he's not out of the woods yet. Thank you for all of your love and prayers.
Monday AM Update
Thank You for all the prayers and fasting. There has been improvement! Dad continues to look better everyday. Right now he's walking the halls with Darin and he's been awake and alert all morning.
Dad's blood pressures are "adequately controlled." His last BP was 157/77. His hematocrit level was 29 (should be around 38) and the nephrologist said he's a bit anemic.
It seems they are not going to do the CT scan with dye since the nephrologist thinks that would push his kidneys into further damage and possibly into needing hemodialysis. Dad's aortic tear is 4 cm and surgical intervention isn't required unless it's 5cm. With dad's controlled BP the hope is that the tear will be able to start to heal. The tear is not close to his heart and not near his kidneys. It's in between the two and the neurovascular surgeon told dad to buy a lottery ticket because he's a very lucky man.
His kidneys have shown improvement today. Yesterday his creatinine level was 3.4 and today it went down to 3.3 which is good (normal range is .5 - 1.5).
They are now discussing plans to send dad home this week. We'll continue to keep everyone updated. I again asked dad if he had anything he wanted to say to his family and he said "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Thank you again for all your fasting and prayers.
Dad's blood pressures are "adequately controlled." His last BP was 157/77. His hematocrit level was 29 (should be around 38) and the nephrologist said he's a bit anemic.
It seems they are not going to do the CT scan with dye since the nephrologist thinks that would push his kidneys into further damage and possibly into needing hemodialysis. Dad's aortic tear is 4 cm and surgical intervention isn't required unless it's 5cm. With dad's controlled BP the hope is that the tear will be able to start to heal. The tear is not close to his heart and not near his kidneys. It's in between the two and the neurovascular surgeon told dad to buy a lottery ticket because he's a very lucky man.
His kidneys have shown improvement today. Yesterday his creatinine level was 3.4 and today it went down to 3.3 which is good (normal range is .5 - 1.5).
They are now discussing plans to send dad home this week. We'll continue to keep everyone updated. I again asked dad if he had anything he wanted to say to his family and he said "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Thank you again for all your fasting and prayers.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday Update
The nephrologist came in this morning and said that Dad's creatinine levels continue to increase (now at 3.4) but that they are increasing at a slow and steady rate which indicates an acute renal failure situation that could eventually improve. The nephrologist does not recommend doing the CT scan with angiogram on Monday since the dye is harmful to his already injured kidneys. She would prefer an MRI. The neurovascular surgeon will determine if the CT scan is necessary to check the aortic tear and would then be able to determine if surgery is necessary.
His blood pressure highs have been 160's/70's and last night he had a blood pressure of 113/56. He continues to be very tired and more frustrated with his health situation.
Darin flew in last night and walked into Dad's hospital room and surprised both Mom and Dad. Jeremy flew back home to SLC this morning so last night for a few hours we were all together in the room with Dad. Mom and Dad's spirits were really good.
Jeremy gave Dad a blessing a few days ago and his impression was that had a long recovery road ahead of him but that it would be a recovery.
We haven't seen the medical doctor yet this morning.
His blood pressure highs have been 160's/70's and last night he had a blood pressure of 113/56. He continues to be very tired and more frustrated with his health situation.
Darin flew in last night and walked into Dad's hospital room and surprised both Mom and Dad. Jeremy flew back home to SLC this morning so last night for a few hours we were all together in the room with Dad. Mom and Dad's spirits were really good.
Jeremy gave Dad a blessing a few days ago and his impression was that had a long recovery road ahead of him but that it would be a recovery.
We haven't seen the medical doctor yet this morning.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Dad / Bruce
Last Monday mom took dad into an urgent care center due to difficulties breathing. After a few tests were done they discovered fluid in his lungs and determined that Dad has congestive heart failure. His blood pressure was 268/160's. They sent him over to St Mary - Corwin Medical Center and he's been here in the telemetry unit since then.
They've done x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, etc and have discovered he has a Grade B aortic tear. His kidneys are functioning at 30% (according to the nephrologist) and his creatinine level continues to increase. Yesterday his level was 2.9 and this morning his level was 3.1. The medical doctor this morning mentioned acute renal failure on top of chronic renal failure. At this time they're still trying to determine what his baseline kidney function is to know what the future holds.
The plan at this time is to try and keep his blood pressure within a normal range. (This morning his blood pressure was 135/65 and the doctor was pleased.) Now that his blood pressure is dropped he's really tired.
A CTA scan is tentativley planned for this Monday to check his aortic tear and to see if there's been any changes. There is concern regarging the CTA test being done since dye will be used and his kidneys are already struggling. If the tear hasn't changed then they may not do surgery.
I asked Dad if he wanted to say anything and he said, "Love your wife" in between snores.
We're having a family fast this Sunday and appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers for Dad and Grandma Tew. For Dad we're specifically focusing on his kidneys, blood pressure and heart. We'll update this blog to keep the family updated on his condition.
They've done x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, etc and have discovered he has a Grade B aortic tear. His kidneys are functioning at 30% (according to the nephrologist) and his creatinine level continues to increase. Yesterday his level was 2.9 and this morning his level was 3.1. The medical doctor this morning mentioned acute renal failure on top of chronic renal failure. At this time they're still trying to determine what his baseline kidney function is to know what the future holds.
The plan at this time is to try and keep his blood pressure within a normal range. (This morning his blood pressure was 135/65 and the doctor was pleased.) Now that his blood pressure is dropped he's really tired.
A CTA scan is tentativley planned for this Monday to check his aortic tear and to see if there's been any changes. There is concern regarging the CTA test being done since dye will be used and his kidneys are already struggling. If the tear hasn't changed then they may not do surgery.
I asked Dad if he wanted to say anything and he said, "Love your wife" in between snores.
We're having a family fast this Sunday and appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers for Dad and Grandma Tew. For Dad we're specifically focusing on his kidneys, blood pressure and heart. We'll update this blog to keep the family updated on his condition.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Looking Back at our Heritage
I was on http://www.lds.org/ and came across this article of our ancestor, Warren S. Snow and included it on our family reunion blog for all to read and remember.
The Manti Temple,
"Brigham Young announced the [Manti] temple site 25 June 1875 and dedicated the site on 25 April 1877. Earlier that same morning, he had taken Warren S. Snow with him to the southeast corner of the temple site and told him, “Here is the spot where the Prophet Moroni stood and dedicated this piece of land for a Temple site, and that is the reason why the location is made here, and we can’t move it from this spot.”
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Pickled Beans
It wouldn't be a Tew Family Reunion without the hopeful mention of Grandma's Pickled Beans turning up somewhere on the table (SOOO GOOD)! Because she loves us so much she is sharing her secret recipe with us...okay, so it's not really a secret recipe but she still loves us and is sharing! Thank You Grandma! And it's probably safe to confess now to eating your jar of pickled beans with Grandpa at the Christensen Family Reunion before it was time to eat...;-) They were delicious!
A jar of Grandma's Pickled Beans along with her recipe proudly displayed in our kitchen.
Dill Beans
2 C vinegar
4 C water
3/4 C salt
2 heads dill to each quart
1/2 jalapeno pepper (cut lengthwise)
1 clove garlic (little button)
Blanch beans 7 min. Pack in jars - add dill, garlic & pepper. Cover with boiling vinegar solution & seal in sterilized jars. Very good!
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