Monday Update

I called dad tonight to see how he was feeling. He answered his cell phone and I could hear in his voice that he was tired though doing good. He said he is tired most of the day and wakes up to eat the meals that mom fixes for him. It reminds him of how he felt after he had his heart attack four years ago...always tired. Dad also said that his sleep is sporadic through the night and he uses his oxygen at night while he sleeps.

He went "running" yesterday with Ambrea and Kaylee (Ambrea's 2 yr old daughter). He said that he walked, Ambrea walked, and Kaylee ran circles around them while they went around the block. He's trying to be up and active as much as he can. He said that his legs continue to swell up each day. He elevates them while he sleeps and they look great in the morning but by the end of the day they're swollen again.

He and mom really appreciate all of our continued prayers in their behalf.

(This is another recent picture from Ambrea's blog. This was taken last week and it is of dad sitting outside to watch Ambrea's family carve some pumpkins.)

Thursday Update

Update from Mom:

"We went to Dr. Riley (the general doctor) today and she is very nice. She explained a lot of things for us that the other doctors did not. She did another test and gave him a prescription for oxygen. She said that he was on some pretty heavy meds and that is what is causing his nausea. His body should get used to them in a couple of weeks so that he can handle them better.

He has an appointment with her in a couple of months. His nephrologists' nurse (Tammy) called today. His next appointment with them is November 17th. His kidneys are working at 17% and you go on dialysis under 15%.

We went shopping and bought Bruce a recliner rocker so that he can relax and have his feet up. It will also make more room for company to sit, since for Bruce to be up relaxing he took the couch.

Bruce has been feeling a lot better the last couple of days and is able to eat better as well. He has not had an appetite at all. Even with the numbers up things are looking up. We do believe that the number will come down soon and that we will soon see some major improvement in his health."

Wednesday Update

Dad got his blood drawn from the doctor's office on Monday and mom got the results back today. The blood work showed that dad's creatinine level is up to 3.75. Not good.

Dad is still feeling tired and nauseas and trying to keep his BP under control.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Sunday Update

Update from Mom:

"Bruce is glad to be home. (He liked not being a pin cushion.) He has not had to have pain meds since being home either. YEA!

Bruce appreciates all the phone calls and emails. Kent, Tami, Becky and Shannon came to visit and Bruce went on a couple of walks outside with Kent.

We have an appointment Monday with the kidney doctors to check his blood and we are expecting a drop in his Creatinin levels and in his WBC as well.

With the major decrease in Bruce's blood pressure he does not have a lot of energy and has a hard time staying awake which frustrates him.

In the hospital they gave him his meds without him eating which many of them say to be taken with food. We are able to control that better here at home and he doesn't get as nauseated. He has 7 prescriptions so he is sporting a new pill box to accommodate the meds."

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. They are grately appreciated. We will continue to update this blog as we learn more about Dad's situation.

Friday Update

Update from Ambrea:

"Aunt Becky, Tammy and Uncle Kent Made it here to Colorado around 3pm. Dad ate a little bit last night but not much because he said that it was salty. He had taken his pills and threw up last night because he didn't have enough food with his meds. Mom wasn't happy that he didn't tell her why he didn't eat until this morning. Dad said that he will be better about telling her what's going on and what he needs.

He has been sleeping most of the day. Mom checked his BP around 2pm and it was 175/75 but he had already taken his meds. She said she wasgoing to wait until he relaxed some to take it again to see if it went down any. Later in the evening he seemed to be doing ok though.

Hope all is well. Love ya!

Ambrea"

Home from the Hospital

Dad was discharged home from the hospital earlier this afternoon. Yeah! I guess they sent him home with a basin to throw up in since he was feeling pretty nauseas. They had given him another dose of iron through his IV and he was having a hard time with it.

I haven't spoken with mom or dad but I heard from Ambrea that they sent him home with some limitations and a list of when to notify the physician.

They have a follow-up appt with dad's nephrologist on Monday for some blood work to check his creatinine levels again. We still need his creatinine levels to come way down (indicating that his kidneys are functioning better). If they don't then there next option is hemodialysis and a kidney transplant. We don't want to have to go to those measures for sure.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Thursday AM Update

Dad has been awake and walking for most of the morning. Mom said she's been letting dad take control and talk to the doctors and ask the questions.

His blood pressure was 118/63 (good).
His creatinine level is still at 3.4 (it needs to go way down).
His WBC count dropped down closer to the normal range (good).
The MRI showed no changes to dad's aortic aneurysm and no additional tears (good).

The nephrologist is ready to send dad home. The other doctors have yet to sign off on dad's case so we'll see when he gets to go home. Hopefully soon.

Mom said that Kent, Becky and Tammy are leaving today to come down and visit them. I know mom and dad will enjoy that.