Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thursday Afternoon

I'm sorry I haven't updated as much as I'd like to. This hospital is S-L-O-W!!! We finally just saw some doctors and it's almost 2:00.

On the Neurology side - David had a EEG yesterday but it hasn't been read yet. The Neurologists would like to get an MRI done tonight just to make sure there is nothing to be concerned about. They don't think they are going to put him on any medication but there is some REALLY BAD NEWS. They don't want him driving for six months. I don't know how we are going to handle this!

The cardiologists want to do the catheterization. They are going to try to schedule it for tomorrow. If they can't get it done then they will let us go home and have us come back when they can get it scheduled. During the cath they will do some studies on his heart rhythm. They are still talking about a pace maker which is also bad news. Because of the way his heart is they don't know how they will put a pace maker in. They way they would do it in a normal heart is a simple surgery and not a big deal. They have to figure out where they would put the leads on David's heart. This could mean open heart surgery again. His heart is still doing the 3-5 second pauses but then it will just pick back up and start beating again. Except for the pauses his heart rate is stabilizing a little bit. He hasn't had as many episodes of racing or slowing down too much.

David is definitely ready to get out of here. He wants to go home and go to the fair. (I think he's feeling a little better)! They took off his oxygen and gave him permission to go down to the cafeteria. Can you believe this? The ICU does not have bathrooms or showers. They can't find a bed for him on a normal floor so they are going to let him shower in the employee locker room. I think a shower will make him feel like a new man! Today has been good news and bad news but at least were getting somewhere and we're getting closer to going home.

3 comments:

Joe and Debbie said...

Thanks for the update, it is so nice to be able to know what is going on without have to inidate your family with phone calls. Please give David our love. A shower will definitely help, nothing like feeling fresh and clean again. 6-months of no driving is giong to be insane, maybe people in the wrd will pitch in and help so you won't feel like you are living out of your vehicle.
We love you both,
Aunt Debbie & Uncle Joe

Carrie said...

Hey, I'm glad to hear that David might be able to have more than one test a day. Maybe you will be home soon. I wouldn't count on being home this weekend, knowing hospitals. I hope to see you soon. Sorry I was unable to come to Portland this weekend. I can blame that on the hospital here. Talk to you soon,
Carrie

rachel said...

Laura,
I just checked my feeds and found your updates, thank goodness. I heard about all this Tuesday and have had you in my thoughts ever since.
Sounds like things are progressing well... for the most part.
Can I do anything?? My sister works at the hospital up there... do you need anything maybe she can help with??
You're definitely in our thoughts and prayers.
- Much love from Eugene!