Hey everyone-
I just thought I'd post an update on what's going on with Dad. Forgive me, but I'm actually just cutting and pasting his Carepage update, for the most part:
First, we all want to thank you all for the phone calls, text messages, emails, thoughts...etc....we are all very appreciative.
I just thought I'd post an update for you all. Mom has been at the hospital since Thursday and hasn't had much of a chance to update everyone.
On Thursday, Dad went in for his hip replacement at the University of Iowa Hospital. The duration of the surgery was expected to take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. It ended up taking around 4 and a half and an additional 3 hours in recovery. The surgery went well. Dr. Marsh said they had minor issues with scar tissue from the previous surgery as well as heavy bleeding. They gave him a few units of blood as a result.
It was a little after 7pm by the time they got him to his room, where he spent the majority of the night in and out of sleep. He had a morphine pump (Dad's Happy Pump) to help with the pain. Poor Mom slept on pillows on the floor :o(
Friday, Dad was still a little loopy from the medication. They were able to get him up and in a chair for a short time. He appreciated all the well-wishes from everyone and the visitors who came to see him. Later in the evening a nurse came in to do an ultrasound on Dad's bladder, because they were concerned about his renal function. He hadn't produced any urine up to this point. They figured his kidneys were just slow to "wake" from the surgery.
Saturday, Dad was still unable to produce any urine. By later that afternoon they confirmed that he may have damage to one of his kidneys. As a result, they moved him to the ICU just before 4pm. They gave him another 2 units of blood and were monitoring his kidneys, liver, and pancreas. An ultrasound of the site of his surgery shows a hematoma, which they're following closely to make sure it dissipates.
By Saturday evening, the doctors decided that they are going to keep Dad in the ICU for another day. All the nurse could really say was that the renal doctors want to run some tests on Dad.
They have two bags of IV fluid going in him simultaneously. He has managed to produce a little urine since. I never thought I'd be so happy to hear that my dad produced a little pee!
Somehow he also has managed to get a little "bug" in his system, so they gave him some antibiotics. He was extremely sleepy and incoherent, and strangely very cold all the time.
There isn't much of a change in Dad this morning. He's sleeping all the time now, opening his eyes only for a short amount of time. They just started another unit of blood and are still monitoring his ability to produce urine. Without the IV fluids, he's just not producing any.
The kidney doctors will be in to see him this afternoon. While visitors are very much appreciated, at this point today is not a very good day with doctors coming and going as well as the tighter visiting hours.
As I hear more throughout the day, I'll keep posting updates.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. It really means a lot to all of us!
Angie
P.S. Here's how to get new updates sent to you from Dad's CarePage:
1. http://www.carepages.com/carepages/meandad
2. If you're not already a member, follow the link to register directly below the sign in button.
3. Follow the sign up process. You should then be directed to dad's page. If not, then at the top of the screen is a search box. Type in : meandad
4. This should take you right to the page.
5. On the right side of the screen is a message that says Welcome, (name). Below it is a link that says Dashboard. Click on it.
6. You should see meandad listed. There is a box you will have to click on in order to receive email updates.
Let me know if anyone needs help...it can be tricky. I'm happy to walk you through it.
Take Care,
Angie