Well, the ongoing saga of Dad's hospitalisation is beginning to make us feel like actors in a TV medical drama - like E.R. or Casualty. The reason for Dad's tummy pain continues to be a mystery, as recent endoscopies have shown that there is no ulcer or other problem in the stomach. This morning it seemed as if the pain might be slightly higher up - perhaps in his lung. Concerned about the possibility of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), doctors put him back onto an anti-coagulant (he'd been taken off that a couple of weeks ago after his bleeding episode.) Dad's mostly pain free - now that there's a pump with round-the-clock painkilling medication - but he says he still feels discomfort after eating or drinking, and the reason for this continues to be somewhat of an enigma.
This afternoon we had an appointment with the two main doctors responsible for his care (the surgeons who were involved in his three operations.) They say they realise it's disappointing that his progress is so slow at the moment, but they are satisfied that he is not deteriorating either. His blood indicators are continuing to drop (meaning that infection is decreasing) and his kidney function is continuing to improve. Lung infection is always a danger when a patient is lying in bed for a long time, but that can be treated with antibiotics if necessary. An x-ray today showed that it is not necessary at the moment. They are satisfied that his wound is continuing to heal slowly but well, and that the pus in his abdomen is of an acceptable level (and not in danger of increasing because of the recent removal of the drain.)
While there are no guarantees "which way things will go" when a person has been so critically ill, the doctors said they are satisfied that Dad is stable for now, and we just need to "wait and see."
