At home

I can't believe Dennis is finally home. It all seems so surreal. He arrived home this evening and has already had a visit from the nurse. He will be starting all of his in-home rehab programs tomorrow. I guess no break from therapy.

My mom's anxiety level has really gone up today and she is feeling pretty stressed being his sole caregiver at home. She feels extremely responsible for any failures Dennis may have in the days to come. She is also trying to remember all of the things they have trained her to do at home from diet to medications to injections to utilizing and setting up his breathing and ambulation equipment. Please pray for her as she develops a routine and gains confidence in her ability to take care of Dennis.

Dennis is also out of sorts. He has become accustomed to hospital life and although he's been begging to come home, now that he is, he is finding challenges in his living environment. From his couch seat being to low for him to get up and his bathroom being too small to move around in with his walker, he is having to learn to re-adjust what he has learned to do in the hospital. Please pray for Dennis as he learns a new way of living.

Dennis can be called at home but he does not currently have access to his cell phone or computer. I have put these away in safe keeping.

As for the blog ... yes, I will keep the blog updated with his progress. I anticipate it will be a very long journey of recovery.

e

going home - help!

Hi folks,

I received a call this evening that Dennis is going to be discharged home tomorrow! Yippee!!! Dennis is very excited.

Unfortunately this has put us into a little tail spin. I am currently in Victoria, BC completing my residency for my master's program. My time in residency will be done on Friday but until then Dennis and my mom are on their own. Dennis and my mom are needing a ride home tomorrow afternoon. Is there anyone available to help? He has a fold able walker and wheelchair plus a load of stuff that they have acquired over the past 3.5 months. Dennis' home also has no groceries. He is on a very strict diet that my mom will need to shop for. Dennis is under 24 hour supervision, therefore, I'm wondering if someone can sit with Dennis while my mom walks to Safeway. Please email me at eunicecho@shaw.ca if you are able to provide any assistance.

Thanks very much!!
e

slow and steady

Hi folks,

Dennis is progressing. He's got another 6kg of water loss to go before he gets to go home. They anticipate it may be later this week. He's been on a long journey to get to this point but we are happy with Dennis progress and are looking forward to taking him home (to Renton).

e

not too much change

Hi folks,

I just realized I forgot to write on Sunday. Sorry about that. Here's a little back track.

Dennis' was drained of 4 liters of fluid from his belly last week. He did find some relief and has felt better over the past few days. The 4 liters didn't make much of a dent in his overall fluid retention, therefore, he has had further consultation with specialists on whether or not to remove more fluid. For now, they will wait and see over the next couple of days. He is still on heavy doses of medications to pull off more fluid. It is working slowly.

There chat about him coming home soon but still more wait and see.

e

the big syringe

hi folks,

it's been a busy few days fussing over dennis. he's still fluid overloaded and the team of cardiologists are working hard to balance him out. he's exhausted and having difficulty breathing due to enlarged belly. he's also got a bad case of the cankles. after lots of consultation with the medical staff, dennis will undergo a procedure today to draw out the fluid from his belly. they will insert a large syringe and pull out as much fluid as possible. they got 4 large canisters ready to fill up. hopefully this will help him to breath easier and get some rest. he has his first full night of sleep in a week and he's more rested to go for his procedure today. looks like he will be on the cardiology unit for a couple of weeks.

e

moving again

Hi folks,

Dennis continues to have difficulty with water retention, therefore, the rehab staff are unable to provide him with the necessary care. He will be moving down to the cardiology unit this evening. Please continue to pray for Dennis as he overcomes this next hurdle.

e

no progress - still water logged

Hi folks,

Water retention continues to be an issue for Dennis. He is currently on 2 IV and 1 oral diuretics with minimal effect. He is having more and more physical discomfort and continues to physically regress. He is also have difficulty sleeping, making his progress even more difficult.

e

water logged

Hi folks,

Sorry for the late entry. It was a busy day with Dennis yesterday.

Dennis is retaining fluid in his abdomen and legs. His weight and girth has greatly increased over the past couple of days. His heart seems to be the underlying issue to his water retention. He is tired and having difficulty breathing which has hampered his therapy progress. He will not be discharged today. They have re-slated him for discharge next week.

Dennis will not be coming to Canada on discharge. He will require extensive in-home therapy and will be staying in Renton with our mom.

e