Monday, June 17: A Trip to the ER

Keith had not been feeling very well all the weekend we went to the Tiger's baseball game.  He had a lack of appetite, felt nauseous, itching all over, along with a few more symptoms, including jaundice. 

Tuesday following the ballgame, Keith had a physical.  His lab work showed that his liver enzymes were elevated.  By Friday, his symptoms had increased and he called the doctor to see what he should do.  He sent him for lab work on Monday to test to see if he had Hepatitis.  His liver enzymes were really elevated, and the doctor wanted him to go directly to the Emergency Room.

A CAT scan showed he had an obstructed bile duct.   The ER doctor admitted him, then we had to wait for a room to become available. While he was in the ER, they had no examining rooms and they had so many people to take care of, they had them lined up in the hallways.

You can see there is another person right behind Keith.  Crazy!  After the decision was made to admit him, they asked us if we wanted something to eat.  Since it was late, the only thing they could offer us was a turkey sandwich with Miracle Whip and water.  (It actually tasted great.)  I titled this photo:  "Dinner for two in the ER."  Little did Keith know it would be his last solid food until Friday evening.

Tuesday, he had an ERCP and found that he had several stones in the bile duct.  It took quite a time to get them out of there as they were lodged in there pretty tight.  They decided they were going to take his gall bladder out the next day. 

Wednesday, we thought they were going to have surgery; then it was cancelled because his bilirubin was too high.  It was postponed until Thursday. 

 Wednesday, around noon, we took a walk to the DeVos Children's Hospital to this sweet courtyard.  We sat outdoors.  It was such a beautiful day.  Even though Keith could only have ice chips, he was a good sport to walk through all the eating places there.  He really enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine.

Thursday, they finally scheduled surgery around noon.  So, Marsha came up and took off work for the afternoon.  They waited until 1:00 p.m. and didn't hear from anyone, so Marsha checked with the nurse to see what is going on.  The nurse told her that she should go back to the room because she said Marsha wouldn't want to know what she just heard.  The nurse arrived in the room and told them the surgery had been postponed once again. (Sigh....) 

Thursday afternoon, after Keith's surgery was cancelled I went home so I could work the afternoon.    While at home, I received a phone call from Jess.  She asked me how I was doing and what I was going to do that evening.  Then, she asked me if I'd like to have dinner with her!  I was SO surprised!  What a blessing that was for both of us!  We totally kept it a surprise for Keith.  The look on his face when she walked into his room was priceless!

SURPRISE!!!!!!

 



Friday, once again surgery was cancelled.  Jess went up to the hospital around 1:00 and stayed most of the afternoon.  She was able to meet up with her friend, Karley.  Keith was scheduled for an MRI for the surgeon to see what exactly he'll be dealing with when he does the surgery.  So far, the surgery is suppose to take place tomorrow (Saturday).  However, we don't know exactly what time as he will be worked in (again). 

Thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers.  It's been quite a week.  God has certainly given the doctors wisdom, even though things haven't progressed as fast as we would have hoped.  God's timing is the best...always. 

A quick update on my dad: 

Wednesday, Mom brought Dad home from the nursing home for good. His first night at home was really good.  Mom said he slept like a rock.  We would really appreciate your prayers for Mom as she is Dad's primary caregiver now.  She's got her hands full between going for lab tests, taking him for blood, taking him for doctor appointments etc. plus the everyday goings on of life.  She'll appreciate your prayers as well.