Update on Jeff...and blessings for Jeff Thomas, Nick and Terry, and Erica and John

NikiMo
NikiMo Member Posts: 342
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi folks,

I want to let everyone know how much I appreciate your support and comments. Jeff is doing very well, he is in the ICU and they are managing his pain well. Today he moved from his bed to the chair, and then tonight he took a walk around the ICU! The nurses say he is doing really well. All of you that are preparing for surgery, do not be alarmed if you or your loved one has blood pressure issues after surgery. Jeff had an epidural and the fentynal was giving him problems, he kept dropping down to a BP of 80/30. Finally they stopped the epidural and went to giving him the pain meds through IV. Pressure is doing better now. He is pretty doped up and because of this he is being really lovey dovey, keeps saying I am the most beautiful girl in the world, to which I respond your high and he laughs. So ladies enjoy that..haha! He will probably move out of the ICU tomorrow, that makes me a little anxious, but it also means he is getting stronger. He keeps asking when can he drink...he is VERY thirsty. He has a few days to go before that happens, until then he uses his swab.

For those facing surgery tomorrow, I wish peace and calm for the patients and caregivers. Do not be alarmed if the surgery inches into the 7,8,9 hour range. I got through my wait by telling myself over and over again that this was the day that Jeff was being cured, and when he woke up he would be cancer free.

Prayers for all of you,

Niki

Comments

  • BMGky
    BMGky Member Posts: 621
    #2
    Amen. Well said. I totally
    Amen. Well said. I totally agree. Mary
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #3
    Great words!
    Thanks, Niki :) I'm very encouraged. Can't wait for tomorrow to come - can't wait for tomorrow to be over.

    I'll drop in often tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be sitting with my laptop in the waiting room :)

    Terry

    I'll echo Niki - prayers to us all and speedy recovery to those already through surgery.
  • hopper52
    hopper52 Member Posts: 108
    #4
    A Blessing
    Thanks for the update, Niki. What a blessing he came through the surgery okay and is progressing well. I know you still have a long road ahead in recovery but just keep that thought "cancer free" in the forefront. My prayers continue to be with you as well with those who have completed surgery and those going in the next day or two.

    Michael Daniels
    Brandon, FL
  • Ericalynn
    Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
    #5
    Thank You
    Niki,
    Thank you for the update, I am so glad to hear that Jeff was able to get up and take a walk. I am glad you gave us the heads up what to expect. I am starting to get very nervous. When I read the line "this was the day that Jeff was being cured" I started crying. I pray that all of us entering the junior class will be cured this week (& Michael very Soon)! Get the updates coming!
    Erica
  • cher76
    cher76 Member Posts: 292
    #6
    Wonderful news, Niki! So
    Wonderful news, Niki! So glad to hear Jeff is doing well! Everyone else taking the big step tomorrow, know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Cheryl
    Wife of Rickie, stage IV EC dx Oct. 2010
  • Laura23
    Laura23 Member Posts: 81
    #7
    cher76 said:

    Wonderful news, Niki! So
    Wonderful news, Niki! So glad to hear Jeff is doing well! Everyone else taking the big step tomorrow, know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Cheryl
    Wife of Rickie, stage IV EC dx Oct. 2010

    Hi Niki-
    So glad that Jeff
    Hi Niki-

    So glad that Jeff is doing so well! Sounds like you are too. Remember to take care of you too - eat well and try to get some sleep. This is a marathon, not a sprint!

    Luis had fentanyl through the epidural too which ended up not working. They put dilauded in and that was better but made him sleepy.

    When they move him out onto the surgical floor, make sure that you keep after the nurses. What medicines, how often, why are they doing something. Don't be afraid to ask if you think they forgot something. Also, one of the nurses gave Luis some sleep med without putting him into bed first (duh). Also had a nurse hang an IV med without mixing it first. I think being in the hospital over a holiday weekend was difficult. I learned how to unhook and rehook up all the tubing so Luis could go for walks and eventually the bathroom. Hopefully, you will have top notch nurses. The hardest thing is that is is boring and monotonous. One day kind of runs into another. I asked family, friends, church members, neighbors all to visit and that helped tremendously. I am hoping that will continue once he is home.

    We will keep up our prayers for you two - for quick healing, minimal pain, strength every day, and peace that surpasses understanding.

    Laura
    Wife to Luis
    Dx 4/11/2011 T3N1M0
    MIE 8/30/2100
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #8
    Laura23 said:

    Hi Niki-
    So glad that Jeff
    Hi Niki-

    So glad that Jeff is doing so well! Sounds like you are too. Remember to take care of you too - eat well and try to get some sleep. This is a marathon, not a sprint!

    Luis had fentanyl through the epidural too which ended up not working. They put dilauded in and that was better but made him sleepy.

    When they move him out onto the surgical floor, make sure that you keep after the nurses. What medicines, how often, why are they doing something. Don't be afraid to ask if you think they forgot something. Also, one of the nurses gave Luis some sleep med without putting him into bed first (duh). Also had a nurse hang an IV med without mixing it first. I think being in the hospital over a holiday weekend was difficult. I learned how to unhook and rehook up all the tubing so Luis could go for walks and eventually the bathroom. Hopefully, you will have top notch nurses. The hardest thing is that is is boring and monotonous. One day kind of runs into another. I asked family, friends, church members, neighbors all to visit and that helped tremendously. I am hoping that will continue once he is home.

    We will keep up our prayers for you two - for quick healing, minimal pain, strength every day, and peace that surpasses understanding.

    Laura
    Wife to Luis
    Dx 4/11/2011 T3N1M0
    MIE 8/30/2100

    so glad Jeff is doing so well
    Hi Nikki,
    Glad that Jeff is doing so well. Laura gave some good advice if you or Jeff have any doubts about what is being given or done question it. My prayers will continue and hope all the updates are so upbeat!! I did better out of surgical ICU and found the nurses on thoracic surgery floor were usually the best. good luck and continued progress!! take care,
    Donna

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