Well, it is almost 1 week post op (surgery was last Wednesday) and Dad is doing well. He got the NG tube removed yesterday and what a difference that made! The next hurdle is getting the central line out of his neck, which might happen tomorrow as they "wean" him off the TPN. Every time the urologist/surgeon comes in to see Dad, he just grins from ear to ear. He can't believe how well Dad has done.
We walked quite a ways several times yesterday and today he was pushing the IV pole and walking by himself (with my brother close by!) Last night was a bad night as he had severe back pain in the area behind where the stoma is located. He didn't use any morphine all day yesterday, but when the back pain hit, he hit the morphine button with not much relief.
I asked the urologist/surgeon about the pain today and he told us that he had used the rectus abdominas to support the stoma so he wouldn't get a hernia, so that could well be the muscle pain he is feeling, especially since he has been moving around so much.
The stoma nurse came in yesterday while I went home for a few hours, and my brother reports that Dad did the whole appliance change by himself while looking in the mirror and standing up unsupported! The surgeon didn't put the stoma where the stoma nurse marked it and it appears to be a little low. We determined the leak he had early on was caused by dimples in his abdomen area that we didn't even notice. An Eakin seal was applied and it seems to work great.
Today is a clear liquids day and I've never seen a man so ecstatic about jello and chicken broth for breakfast! So far, so good. Nothing has come back up. He even sent me to the Nutrition Room on our floor at the hospital for extra juice and popsicle!
The unit Dad is in at the hospital is grossly understaffed. There are 28 rooms and only 5 nurses in an area that is just one step below intensive care. Each tech assigned to a nurse has 10 patients to cover. That's not acceptable. Most are nice and tolerate my questions, some are not so nice. We have a family member there with Dad at all times, with my brother taking days and I stay overnight. I'm glad to be there as I can do things like get a blanket and get ice chips, etc. so he doesn't have to wait for a nurse to come see what he wants. Response time is not real quick. When the machines on the IV pole beep, nobody knows until (a.) they walk down the hall near your room and hear the alarm or (b.) I go tell them at the nurse's station. Usually it's the latter.
Dad is now brushing his teeth, washing up and shampooing his hair with those wonderful shampoo caps each day. He shaves with an electric shaver and feels like a new man. I know recovery will be slow and sometimes painful, but I just thank God that he is still here to recover.
I have documented ever step of the way in a journal including all vital signs, what each doctor says about recovery, Dad's daily condition and activities, etc. One of the nurses I really like told me today that the intravenous food (TPN) that Dad is receiving costs $3000 per bag and Dad has had 2 per day since last Thursday! Yikes! Thank God for insurance. Hope they will pay for all this.
Thanks again, everyone, for your advice, thoughts and prayers.
PS: I never thought I would be so incredibly happy to hear someone pass gas and have a rumbling tummy! It was music to my ears as it moved Dad closer to getting rid of the NG tube.