Glenn update...such as it is

[Guest guest]

{{{{{{ To ALL }}}}}}

I know I'm not posting much...but I'm reading and trying to keep up with

everyone. Haven't seen anything from for a couple days, tho. Or

Dianna for a while. Am I just missing some messages?? I IM'd with Narice

early

this morning and she was going to the hospital about 8 a.m....haven't heard

from her since and praying things are going as well as she hoped they would

for Phil today...

Welll.....I raged finally today!!! As most of you know, but as an update

for the newest family members.... Glenn had the pump surgery on Aug. 29th and

was given a strong anti-biotic from which he developed an " anti-biotic related

Colitis also called C-Diff (short for some real long name) and has had this

brutally severe diarrhea for the last 8 wks. TODAY, with some relief after

numerous meds and losing another 15 lbs. Instead of 30-40 times a day and

night, it's down to 5-10 times a day...he has had some diarrhea-free

nights...wahooo!!! Seriously, I'm grateful. Last Wed., I was able to get him

to the

hosp. for a full Liver Panel Profile and another stool sample testing.

Glenn talked with the Dr. before I got home from work yesterday and the Dr.

told him the stool sample was " clean " ...meaning the C-Diff infection is

cleared up (but remember he still has the diarrhea, albeit not as bad) and

never

mentioned the liver profile results...and, of course, Glenn didn't ask. Glenn

did ask, " What do I do now? " to which the GI Specialist said... " I'm calling

in another prescription for the diarrhea (not an anti- and WE RIDE IT

OUT " ....well, I was livid....and it didn't go away overnight...smiling

sheepishly!!

When I got to work, I called both the GI Spec. and the Onc. The GI GUY was

out of the office and couldn't be reached for the day...so I laid it on his

poor nurse. I didn't scream or yell...just told her that someone has to do

something for this poor man, who is literally lying here totally non

functional, unable to eat or retain anything if he does eat. If he is dying, I

need to

know and he needs to know!!! He needs to be made comfortable and I need to

call in Hospice. The conversation was more in depth, but I'll spare you...

Well, miraculously the nurse " found " the dr. b/c he called here, once again,

before I got home (and he knows what time I get home and has my cell phone and

work phone...he doesn't want to deal with me) He basically told Glenn to

call his Onc. b/c his liver profile counts or whatever they are were

high....now why didn't he tell him that yesterday??? Well, I had already

called the

Onc. this morning...so does that make me a better dr. than the

Specialist....LOL

When you call s Hopkins Hosp. you can NEVER talk immediately to your dr.

But the Triage Nurse listened to " My story " and said she would talk with

the Dr. and call me back....and she did. I told her all of the above what's

been going on....and that the C-Diff is cleared up... told her his skin tone

was yellow as are his bowel movements, he itches all over, and the " bruising "

marks that were only on one arm are now all over most of his body, he's

sleeping 20 hrs a day and having a lot of pain in the upper and lower

abdomen...if

the liver is failing further, I need to know and he needs to know!!!! Well,

I want you to know I got an appt. for Glenn for Thursday....yes, day after

tomorrow!!! Not 4 wks. from now.... which impressed me until I realized there

may be some serious crap going on and that's why they are getting us in so

quickly. They have already scheduled a CT Scan and bloodwork previous to

seeing the Onc. at 12 noon. Normally, as you all know, it takes weeks to get

them done also.... I had already told the GI Spec. nurse to fax over the

results of the testing from last week, so he now has that.

So that brings you up to date.... obviously we need prayers....and will

continue prayer for each of you...

Just IM'd with Narice... and Phil has a blood infection....she is very sad

and, of course tired from the grueling day at the hospital... please keep her

and Phil in your prayers also....

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn