Update from Kathy re: Tom - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008 05:04 PM, CST

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry...I didn't realize that I never updated the journal yesterday. They are still looking for the bleed. The doctors performed an endoscopy to look at the upper GI tract along with a sigmoidoscopy to look at part of the lower tract yesterday, and they didn't find anything. They did examine the area where the liver ties into the intestine, and they said it looks good. That's good news. They performed a colonoscopy today to look at the rest of the colon, but they still didn't find anything. Tom is on clear liquids again tonight because they may want to look at the upper GI again tomorrow. His blood pressure is a little higher today which is a good sign. It might mean that whatever was bleeding has repaired itself. In the meantime Tom still feels pretty good, although the sedation for all these tests keeps him tired. I know he'd also really like to be able to eat some solid food.

I'll let you know if they determine anything else. If they could be sure he's no longer bleeding I think they would go ahead and discharge him. Let's hope they determine something soon.

To send a message to Tom, Kathy and family goto;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/thomasbutler

-- Ian Cribb P.Eng. -- Ian Cribb P.Eng.