Latest Linda/Bob Updates

Latest update I could find on Bob's condition - please keep him in your prayers.

March 15, Thursday 8:00pm

Linda just phoned to report on Bob’s procedure today to flush out the necrotic pancreatic tissue. He apparently tolerated the procedure well, but soon after experienced shaking chills, low blood sugar, increasing pulse rate, increasing respiratory rate, and then decreased oxygen sats and low blood pressure. The nurse decided it was necessary to call a medical code to stabilize him, not without it’s own challenges, but soon he was stable again. He is not having pain but something got stirred up during the six liters of flushing they did to try to remove all the necrotic tissue. At the moment his temp is not elevated. Please pray that his vital signs would return to normal, that the bacteria present would not cause a full body infection, and that he would rapidly regain the ground in his recovery that has been hard won. They thank you again for your perseverance with them in prayer. May the Lord hover over Bob directing each cell in its exquisite and complex job to bring healing quickly to Bob’s body.
In Him,
Lura
___________

March 15...Thursday evening

Many thanks to Lura for getting a message out quickly since I can't be online in Bob's room in the ICM unit. I finally had a moment to type the following message (offline), came down to the waiting room to tranmist and saw the message she sent out for me. She recapped everything perfectly...but I'm going to send out what I had already typed also.......

Bob had the surgery procedure this afternoon.
They were able to suction out most of the necrotic pancrease and flushed 6 liters of fluid through the drains. His surgeon was pleased with the result. His only concern was the possiblity that all that flushing and aggressive manuevers could cause another pleural effusion, we'll know more about that after a CAT scan in the morning. So far 2 x-rays look unchanged.

After being in recovery for an hour, Bob was brought back up to his room. Just as he came back he started having extreme chills and shakes. All his vitals went the wrong way...his pulse went way up, about 160..his respirations were almost 50, his oxygen dropped too low, his blood pressure was too high and his blood sugar dropped low. Anyway...Bob almost went back to ICU...but instead they've moved him to intermediate care so that he can be on telemetry. His blood pressure is now doing the opposite and is very low.

The good news is that Bob is alert and in no visible distress. He's on oxygen and his respirations are now in the 30's (still high but better) with good saturation. But his blood pressure is still very, very low and his heart rate high. Bobby is here with me and will stay for a little while. I'll probably stay with Bob through the night.

Please pray that this is just a bump in the road and he'll be back on the road to recovery..hopefully a fast road.
I can't be online while in his room because of the telemetry...I have to go down to the waiting room, so I won't get much more out tonight. I'll try again in the morning when his sister gets here and I can leave for a few minutes.
Much love to all of you...and much thanks for continued prayer.
Linda

[Debb Cozzi]

I've not heard an update since Thursday, I'm so anxious for Bob and our sweet Linda! ((hugs))

[Donna]

March 17...Saturday evening
About 3:30pm an interventional radiologist inserted a chest tube into Bob's left side. It drained out about 100cc but there are still at least 200-300 left, so the tube is hooked to suction and we're back to waiting again. I'm not sure how long it'll take to drain...seems like the previous 2 chest tubes took a couple of weeks or more.
Bob is in some pain from both the pancreatic area (from the flushing in the OR 2 days ago), from the left pancreatic drain and from this chest tube. He's pretty sleepy from the narcotics but as I'm writing this he's trying to stay awake for an hour or so and watch TV with Christopher. In typical "Bob fashion" he's refusing any more pain meds until he completes his own "survey". That is so Bob. He needs to take time to assess the situation and make an anyalytical decision.
It makes me smile.....but at the same time I'm advising him to stay on top of the pain at least for this first day and not let it get out of hand.
His vital signs look pretty stable although they just came in to draw blood to check for cardiac enzymes. Hmmmm...maybe that's because the intern that stopped by half an hour ago confused chest pain from the tube insertion with chest pain from a heart attack. I guess it's best to be cautious.
Bob's a little too sleepy right now to add anything to this update...he just shook his head when I asked him....but I'll add for both of us that we appreciate all the prayers and support he's received so much..and I'll try to get another update out tomorrow.
Love,
Linda

I haven't been on "the other site" much lately and so have missed several updates from Linda.

The most recent news is Bob had his gall bladder removed last Friday. And he wasn't allowed anything by mouth over the weekend. Let's hope that this really gets him on the road to recovery finally.