plans can change so quickly...

[Chayote]

We were planning an early Christmas celebration in Melbourne to see Charlie, Tiff, Immy and my sister, Shirley. On Tuesday I took John to his poker game with a GP appointment an hour before. His blood tests weren't great so the GP sent him to hospital. Sounds an easy ask I hear you say? We arrived at the hospital at 1pm (poker game was missed)... he saw a doctor at 3.30am, 14½ hours after we arrived. He was still in the ED until 2.30pm Wednesday (today). Scans of his liver and pancreas tomorrow and probably surgery Friday. He is very jaundice and he's still losing weight despite one of surgeons believing that 25kg (over 55lb) in four weeks. was impossible and we must have made a mistake. I suggested that he look at John's jeans and polo shirt that were hanging on him. Obviously it is possible because that's what happened. I've left him for today. I'm exhausted as I've been away for 36 hours. Julia and Andrew are going to visit him after school.

I have to vent something... I hate that doctors look at John and immediately ask if we have an "end stage death plan". I gave them the same answer as I've always given: John will fight with all his might to survive and I expect no less than the doctors doing the same. I am pro-life and always have been and they should treat him or me if I was sick the same as they treat a younger person. Doctors: do no harm! John deserves every chance they can give him.

[CharleneG]

I am so sorry to hear this Chayote, I know exactly how frightened and exhausted you are. There are some doctors that really need to get a refresher course on how to talk to patients and families, they seem to have forgotten how to do that. I’m sending healing and positive energy John’s way and that he gets the best of care. I’m sending you strong hugs and supporting shoulders and ears for you to talk and vent. We all love you.

[Vera]

You are correct, Chayote - things can change in a flash. It is very concerning to me what John and you are going through right now. I only hope that John's health improves. After all, he has a new home to move into next year. Thinking of you and John through positive thoughts. Keep us informed as there are many here that are interested in how you two are doing.

[MudderBear]

Chayote: my thoughts are with you and John.

[rosie]

Chayote, distressed to hear this. Such an ordeal at the hospital. So very sorry you & John had to go through that. Just redicules! Very concerned for Johns health. 50 lbs is an awful lot to lose in a month. Hopefully docs can get him on road to recovery. Please give him our best. Will pray for healing and comfort.

[smokey]

Please take care of yourself too. One step at a time.

[AngID]

Chayote, I am sending the biggest hugs I can muster for you both.

[Chayote]

I can't thank you all enough for caring so much. You are all such good people.

I've been with John most of the day. Just arrived home and it's 1l.20pm. He is still on nil-by-mouth but he's coping well. They are all nice people in the ward he is in... 4 beds all occupied. His surgeon is very arrogant with appalling bedside manner, however he's probably a very good surgeon. I'd rather him than a surgeon who was very friendly but not good at his job.

Tomorrow is another day that will be spent with John. He will be having more tests and scans. The surgeon explained that he will never take an at-risk patient to the Operating Theatre without knowing exactly what he needs to do. John needs to have an MRI somewhere other than this hospital. I've learned today that not all MRI machines are compatible with the type of pacemaker he has so the surgeon's staff are working on finding a compatible machine in Adelaide.

[Vera]

Thank you for the update, Chayote - many of us are following this thread. Hope there is more news to come and it's good!!!

[Bean]

Chayote, I’m so sorry to hear all this. Sending prayers and hugs. Please take care of yourself too.

[smokey]

Wish we all lived closer.

[Chayote]

Wish we all lived closer.

me too, smokey...

[Chayote]

Well, something changed today. John's condition is stable for now. There's a team of doctors at the Lyell McEwin hospital in Adelaide working on a plan for his surgery. John has a very bad reaction to anaesthetics. In 2012 he was to have his gall bladder removed but when the anaesthetic was administered, his heart stopped. Fast forward to his surgery in December last year, the anaesthesiologist used a different drug and also inserted a breathing tube before he was asleep and while he was sitting up. The doctors at LMH want to know about this and have written to Northern Hospital to get the notes of that surgery. I'm impressed that they are prepared to do so much research ahead of the surgery. They are also looking for an MRI machine in South Australia that is compatible with his pacemaker and I can drive him to wherever it is or alternatively he can go by ambulance if he's not well.

Date of the surgery: 23rd December. They've allowed him to come home but he has to do several things. He has to have two blood tests per week, have four or five mini meals per day that need to be as nourishing as possible, no spicy food (which he doesn't like anyway) and no carbonated drinks. He needs to drink a lot of water each day and can have juice for breakfast. If his jaundice comes back I have to call an ambulance to take him back to LMH and remain there until the surgery. Recovery time after the surgery will be 10+ days if everything goes according to plan.

I'm happy to have him home and nervous also. I'll be watching his every move. It's going to be a strange Christmas this year but we'll make the best of it.

[Vera]

Thank you, Chayote, for the update. I'm sure you are on needles and pins until after the surgery and John is on the road to recovery. This is hard on you too, but you have the strength to get John through this. I am happy that the hospital is taking good care of John. Others will chime in, I'm sure.

[rosie]

Thank you for keeping us up to date. Glad he's home for awhile. I know you will take excellent care of him. Also take care of yourself. I can only imagine how stressful all this is for both of you.
Sounds good that doc is on top of the situation. We will keep lifting you both with good thoughts, energy and prayers.