Monday, February 18, 2008

Saturday Night Fever becomes Sunday Morning ER










Good Morning Clotters.

It’s an oldie but a goodie. Dad’s back up at Huntsman Cancer Hospital, with its beautiful view of the mountains. We’ve missed those views, so this is all terribly convenient.

Starting on Thursday, Dad experienced an increasing pain in his belly. a.k.a. A really bad tummy-ache. (I hope I haven’t lost you with the medical jargon). Given the intensity of the pain, and its escalating nature, my Dad felt the situation should be addressed immediately. So, a short four days later, when the pain had become so unbearable that there was a great gnashing of teeth, the Clot rushed up to the University Hospital Emergency Room. Being a Sunday, on a Holiday Weekend, the timing was very suitable, and the parking situation was much more efficient. Our new motto is: what’s a holiday weekend without the mad dash to Huntsman?

We checked in to the ER at 8:30 a.m. and Dad changed into his favorite formal hospital gown. Four hours later, they decided to do a CAT scan. Eight hours later, the results showed a buildup of fluid in Dad’s belly. It looks like he has sprung another leak. He insisted that as long as he was in a reclined position, and he didn’t move ever again, and no one talked to him, he would be fine. We said to the doctors: “You’re going to trust the guy wearing the dress?”

So the nice folks at Huntsman booked him into his favorite fifth floor of the HCI. They have stopped all feedings, even the ones by tube, in hopes that this will stop the leak, and Dad will lose that extra 5 ounces he put on since being home. It was a very long day yesterday, at least 24 hours, but the Clot is just happy to have good doctors addressing Dad’s pain. We keep promising him, it’s not always going to be like this. And he looks at us sympathetically and promises us it’s not always going to be like this.

We’ll know more today, at which time I’m sure my mom will contribute a much more eloquent update filled with puns and witty asides. Thank you all for your continued support to my family.

Love,

The Clot

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dennis and Joan,
Greetings from Colorado. There are a few advantages of living in this electronic age with laptops (oops, sorry! Are they "notebooks" now?) At least we can keep up with Dennis' progress even though we are traveling. Sorry to hear about the latest trip to the hospital. I'm sure the recovery will have lots of ups and downs. We just hope to hear about more "ups". We send our continued love and prayers to all of you.
Love, Glen and Brenda

Jon & Pat Ashton said...

Denny,

Looks like too much partying on Valentines Day! All that dancing and boggying can take it's toll. Keep up the good work and know that you are in our prayers and thought every day.

Jon & Pat

cristie said...

The well of Providence is deep. It's the buckets we bring to it that are small.
---Mary Webb

I suppose the buckets are small so that we have to make the trip often. The amazing truth is that as we continue to approach the well, thirsty and weary, we will be quenched each and every time.

Know of our faith, love and prayers. xox

Anonymous said...

I found this quote and thought of you. "Look above the weariness of the evening to behold the vision of a new day."
Thank you for being such a great example of strength and overcoming odds. You definately are miracles in peoples lives!