Monday, February 4, 2008

LOSING NUMO ( “pneumo”) - NEMO’S EVIL TWIN











It’s funny what causes the heart of the Clot to twitter-pate these days. Dr. Fenton came in to check on Dennis, and (this is a direct quote) said, “You’re peeing like a racehorse.” That’s “doc talk” meaning the guy’s system is really in gear. We could tell from the grin on the doctor’s face that this is a good thing. We are so proud of him, and we plan to include it on his resume. There have been days when the cup was not only not even half full, it was completely empty. So the racehorse analogy was just fine with us! (Although I must admit I don’t know just how much a racehorse urinates.) But it does give a whole new meaning to the term, “Goin’ for the gold!” Dennis was so happy that he twisted his feeding tube into a valentine. Forget the flowers and candy. He really knows how to drive a woman wild!

Tuesday the medical team is thinking of starting Dennis on solid food. (That usually means lime green jello and ice chips. Yum.) But Dennis actually had a hunger pang today, and the Clot is going planning to go out and kill the fatted buffalo in celebration. (This might be a little drastic, but it just doesn’t sound the same to go out and kill the fatted chicken broth.) Dennis has a pneumothorax, which means there is air between the lung and the chest wall. It has increased a little, in spite of our lap-walking and work on the spirometer. So they will probably put a little “pigtail” in somewhere or other to help lose “Numo.” This is OK. We can do this. We can do this.

Dennis’ feeding tube is being ratcheted up from 40 to 60, and while this is an improvement, we are all looking forward to the moment that he has a “meal” instead of a “feeding.” We are working our way to the eventual feeding frenzy, but all in good time, my pretty!

The sub-clavian tube was removed, and now there is only one intravenous thingee left in his skinny body. I have committed myself to not blogging more information than is necessary in polite society,(Brodi just said, “too late!”) but suffice it to say that the Clot has put away the pom poms and stilled the cheers of bowel encouragement. (However, the nursing staff has requested our services on behalf of other patients on the floor. And we would be willing to make house calls should the need arise.) If there are any questions, please see me privately.

The best evidence of Dennis’ progress was the Super Bowl game on Sunday. Whenever there was a time-out or a break for the ads, he would get his hangee thingee, and we would all do laps around the fifth floor. The Clot and the grandchildren followed, and he began to look like a rock star with his entourage. But the funny thing was, everyone else would come out of their rooms, pushing their hangee thingees, and it began to take on the appearance of some sort of athletic Easter parade, with everyone in variations of hospital attire. There soon evolved two lanes of traffic, with the slower lap-walkers staying to the right, and the faster walkers passing on the left. Shared adversity produces an element of commonality, and it is easy to strike up a conversation with someone else with like tubing and uniform.

It struck me that as we watched the football game, the real heroes were the ones doing laps around the hallway, not the ones on the field. Talk about courage, determination, stamina. It is not easy pushing around a bunch of wires and bags after being poisoned by chemo, singed by radiation, and being deprived of a major portion of one’s innards. The only “tatts” visible were those used for radiation, and there were absolutely no dreadlocks. Heck, there was hardly hair at all! The Super Bowl was very exciting, but it paled in comparison to what happened Sunday night on the 5th floor of the Huntsman.

Tuesday is a very big day for us. We will be getting the pathology results. We are a little nervous. We are ready. We are grateful we even got to surgery. Miracles and tender mercies. We will hit the ball that is pitched to us.

More up-dates will be coming. Please know how much we appreciate your love and support.

Love to all,

The Clot

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your last blog, especially about the comparison between the Super Bowl and the "race" around the fifth floor. Experiencing something like this certainly puts things in perspective. Dennis looks so good! (Wish I could give him some of my weight, though.) AS always, our prayers are with you. Good luck with the tests tomorrow. I am sending positive thoughts your way. We love you.

Glen and Brenda

Anonymous said...

Dennis, So glad to hear about the surgery move up and the success so far. Keep up the good circling, it helps a lot.
We are in your wonderful group praying for continued great readings.
Love ya bro, the AZ Ashtons

cristie said...

our fingers, toes, eyes, hairs, arms and legs are crossed...yes we look ridiculous! xox

Karen said...

Joan I miss your thoughtful insight at book club. However the blog is evidence of your talent in writing. My prayers are with your family, for continued good news. Close families make everything easier!!
Love,
Karen Davis

Anonymous said...

Lookin Good! and hope the news is positive today for all of you. After all you have been through it would add the exclamation point to the workout! Thanks for the updates and the beautiful pic's of the Huntsman. Chris C

Anonymous said...

Dear Dennis & Clot,
What can I say - your wonderful blog is so full of light, laughter, and love. You are an "Enoch" family and I feel blessed to have you as my brother.
I am sorry I have been out of touch because Amy's little baby, Kara, went to Primary Childrens Hospital on Friday night with RSV. She is still there but doing better. Dennis, you are a world class doctor (you are greatly missed) but more importantly a world class Dad, Grandpa, Husband, (Joani I know would agree), Brother, Friend, etc.,etc.,etc.
What a great family you have!!
We love the Clot. Just hang in there - it ain't over till the fat lady sings and I'm not about to start singing.
Love,
your "talks alot" sister
Janie and family