If I’ve counted correctly, we have slept at home for 41 consecutive nights. That streak looks like it will be broken today.
Today had two scheduled appointments. In the morning, we went to Lemmon-Holton for a GJ tube check. The amount of leaking around the tube site has been inconsistent but problematic for a while now. Last Thursday — the especially bad day last week — the leaking was especially bad and we initiated the process of getting the tube checked. Today was the first available time.
It’s good that we had it checked. The tube had moved out of position and was coiled in the stomach, which explains why there has been so little output through the tube in the last week. Then, when they pulled the tube to replace it, stomach contents came pouring out. The nurse, who has been working in this department for 10 years, said she has never seen so much come out like that.
The tube was replaced and looks to be in a better position now, but it seems that the stomach is also not emptying properly. This likely explains all the nausea the last couple weeks.
The plan was to try a new medication aimed at helping the stomach move things along better, and to mostly discontinue eating in favor of tube feeds for the next week. The skin around the tube site has broken down from the stomach acid and we need to get things to calm down so it can heal.
It remains to be seen just how this plan will be implemented, since the afternoon revealed additional issues.
This afternoon Penny had a scheduled follow up to the thrombectomy and stent placement that happened in February. At that appointment we learned that Penny has a “substantial” blood clot in her upper leg. It sounds like most of the upper leg area is clotted. We had noticed since Monday that one leg had gotten a bit larger, but it is not nearly so dramatic a change as last time, and so far it hasn’t caused any pain or discomfort.
The clotting is a concern, however, so we went directly from that appointment to the ER, where we have been since mid-afternoon. IV heparin (a blood thinner) has been started, and the plan is to transport her via ambulance from the Blodgett ER to Butterworth soon. That way the oncology team we usually work with can check on her as well.
We will talk to interventional radiology tomorrow about next steps.
In the meantime, we’ve been dealing with the GJ tube, which is still leaking. And the nausea, which had been much better after this morning’s tube replacement has returned again, so we are resuming the nausea meds.
Comments
Mia Hunefeld: Praying that the issues can be resolved and that you will be back home soon.
Jim Ludema: Oh man, one thing after another. Penny’s resilience is astounding. We continue to pray for strength, comfort, and healing. ❤️❤️
Patricia Boer Fischer : Prayin BIG Time 4Y'all, May Our Lord Jesus 🙏 Give Penny Some Relief 😮💨..Amen!! NOT an Evenin goes by that We Don't Pray 4Ya's, We do Our Devotional after Supper & We Lift Up 4Y'all n Prayers 💕🫶⚘️🙏😘 !! Sendin Ya's Lots & Lots of Love ❤️🫶 ❤️🫶❤️🫶❤️,Ur Waaaaay!!! Hugg's from Tennessee 💕💖🌷💝
Dawn Mulder: So sorry to hear of these recent complications. Praying for relief of symptoms and a way to address the current concerns. Praying you can return home soon💛
Herm De Vries: Thank you for sharing. Praying for solutions to these complications and for you to be able to face these challenges as best as possible.
Chriss Pruim: Praying For both of you 🤍
Anne Geiges: We are praying for wisdom for the doctors and that they can solve these issues quickly and well, so that Penny feels good again and can enjoy being at home without nausea and any other issues. Lots of strength to your entire family to navigate all this!
Karen Ludema: Praying for the new and continuing concerns. And most especially that Penny can return home soon.
George Monsma, Jr.: Very sorry to hear of these setbacks. Thankful that Penny is receiving medical care for them and praying that they can soon be resolved and she can be back home again.
Lisa Schra: We continue to pray for both of you as you manage complications and setbacks and like. Lisa and Jeffrey
Marie VanderLinde : Thinking of you and praying for you both as you face these complications. Hoping for quick resolution and a return to home!