One more update on John!

Ericalynn
Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Well an interesting twist (for the good). Surgeon walks into John’s room about 5:30 PM and tells him he does not agree with the Radiologist. The “leak” is not a leak it is the way he stitches (or did he say staples) the esophagus to the stomach. He drew pictures (not that great) but I think I understand what he was saying. He told us that he felt confident that John did not have a leak. He would have nurse pull NG tube and start John on liquids. WOW what a relief I could see John start to relax. Of course another small delay surgeon did not write orders nurse had to call him and ask for orders to pull tube. NG tube out and John is drinking small amounts for water. YEA!!!!! We should be back on schedule for Friday discharge. Did anyone else get a Botox injection in the pylorus? John’s stomach emptied very quickly per the imaging today. Well one more hurdle over now path report and home sweet home!

Could not have done it without all of your support. Terry & Niki we need to meet one day for a drink and swap stories in person LOL, Love to you both and to all here on the board for your friendship and support. I am so tired going to bed good night all! Erica

Comments

  • NikiMo
    NikiMo Member Posts: 342
    #2
    wooohooo, more good news for the junior class!!
    So relieved to hear that the surgeon doesn't think there is a leak, and if John took that water and no problems, guess he was right!! Funny thing is our surgeon also didn't agree with the radiologist about the vocal cord leak, he said that legally he had to say don't drink thin liquids (wink wink). Seems like it may be a common debate.

    I agree 100%, I could not have gotten through this without the help of this board, but I feel a special bond to you and Terry as fellow caregivers. I am all in for having that drink, one catch we have it in your neck of the woods, any excuse to get back to St. Pete :)
  • cher76
    cher76 Member Posts: 292
    #3
    Great news!
    I am sure that this news has lifted john's spirits! Continued prayers for recovery!
    Cheryl
  • rose20
    rose20 Member Posts: 258
    #4
    I am so thrilled!!
    Oh Erica, this is great news!!
    I was so praying as everyone here I'm sure that this leak would just heal and then to hear this is just so wonderful!!
    Isn't God wonderful??
    Prayers that you will continue to get nothing but good reports!
    Praise God!!
  • Ericalynn
    Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
    #5
    NikiMo said:

    wooohooo, more good news for the junior class!!
    So relieved to hear that the surgeon doesn't think there is a leak, and if John took that water and no problems, guess he was right!! Funny thing is our surgeon also didn't agree with the radiologist about the vocal cord leak, he said that legally he had to say don't drink thin liquids (wink wink). Seems like it may be a common debate.

    I agree 100%, I could not have gotten through this without the help of this board, but I feel a special bond to you and Terry as fellow caregivers. I am all in for having that drink, one catch we have it in your neck of the woods, any excuse to get back to St. Pete :)

    St Pete Beach it is!
    Niki,
    St Pete Beach it is! I know there are multiple places that make the Great umbrella drinks!
    I am going to go to a meeting at work this morning and head to hospital this afternoon, I feel a little bit closer to life going back to normal. Who would have thought that I would be excited about going to a meeting but I am LOL!
    I work in medical imaging (manage an Imaging Center) work closely with Radiologist I cannot wait to tell them this story.
    When I was in training the Radiologist would always tell us that the Clinician was the person that knew the patient the best and it was their final decision. The swallow study has been around forever the equipment is better but it is not perfect. That is why there are so many different Imaging exams.
    Have a good day at HOME!
    Erica
  • Ericalynn
    Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
    #6
    rose20 said:

    I am so thrilled!!
    Oh Erica, this is great news!!
    I was so praying as everyone here I'm sure that this leak would just heal and then to hear this is just so wonderful!!
    Isn't God wonderful??
    Prayers that you will continue to get nothing but good reports!
    Praise God!!

    Suppport
    Cheryl, Rose -Thank you for all of your support and kindness you have been here cheering us on & praying for good results I could feel your prayers, sometimes I was too tired to pray and needed your help and I knew you were out there thank you so much!
    Erica
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #7
    So Pleased to hear....
    that John was able to get rid of the NG tube and get to drinking :) It's a wonderful day when that happens.

    Tell him to be careful on Day 1 of eating. Nick was given permission to have a Full Liquids diet for Breakfast and move to a Soft Food diet for lunch and dinner. Everything tasted so good, he probably over ate a bit. Compound that with the nurse showing up to hook up his Jtube feeding at the same time as dinner showing up. It was a miserable night for a while. We have relearned - don't connect the Jtube until after we believe dinner has transitioned out of the stomach. It just sits like a rock otherwise and overeating does cause miserable cramps.

    A meeting in St Pete would be a wonderful thing. I owe both you and Niki a big hug. Someday I'll talk Nick into flying :)

    Terry
  • Joel C
    Joel C Member Posts: 174
    #8
    TerryV said:

    So Pleased to hear....
    that John was able to get rid of the NG tube and get to drinking :) It's a wonderful day when that happens.

    Tell him to be careful on Day 1 of eating. Nick was given permission to have a Full Liquids diet for Breakfast and move to a Soft Food diet for lunch and dinner. Everything tasted so good, he probably over ate a bit. Compound that with the nurse showing up to hook up his Jtube feeding at the same time as dinner showing up. It was a miserable night for a while. We have relearned - don't connect the Jtube until after we believe dinner has transitioned out of the stomach. It just sits like a rock otherwise and overeating does cause miserable cramps.

    A meeting in St Pete would be a wonderful thing. I owe both you and Niki a big hug. Someday I'll talk Nick into flying :)

    Terry

    Fantastic!
    It’s great to hear John is doing better. Having that NG tube removed is a big step in feeling better and recovery. I had the NG tube in for eight days and it was driving me crazy, when it was finally removed I felt like a new man and because I was feeling so much better I was driving the doctor nuts trying to get him to release me from the hospital. So get ready for John to feel better and want to get the heck out of there. Now we just need to hear good news on the path and get John home.

    Take care,
    Joel
  • jojoshort
    jojoshort Member Posts: 230 Member
    #9
    Great news!
    It's looking great for you two. Congratulations, and keep up the good work! Keep posting those hurdles as you leap over them.
    Jo-Ann

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