Enjoying the View

Mark had been home for several days and is thoroughly enjoying his comfy bed, his big chair, and the view of our beautiful backyard. (He does not miss being poked with needles, being awakened multiple times during the night, trying to find a comfortable position on a lumpy mattress and the hospital food. Actually, he quit ordering it--just the smell would initiate his gage reflex.)  Although it is still January, it feels like early spring--likely a teaser, but it has been rejuvenating. 

Our children gathered to welcome him home. We shared tender moments and, of course, ended with lots of laughter as they related some of their past antics and adventures. We learn something new every time, although some we’ve probably just forgotten!

Mark is taking antibiotics to control the infection and C-Diff. Nausea meds are used as needed. He is currently weak and takes lots of naps, but fortunately, he has minimal pain, and his mind is clear. For that, we are most grateful! As far as we can tell from CT scans, the tumors are stable. 

For Mark’s 70th birthday, I gathered notes, cards, and special messages that he has received over the past few years. The plan was to create a notebook that he could peruse. Well, it ended up being three notebooks. One is from work associates from Precoa, including the office staff, field management, the sales team, and funeral home partners. Another book is from friends, including messages from members of our church congregation. Last September, he was released as a counselor in the Lake Oswego Stake Presidency after twelve years of service. He was loved and revered. The third is a family book, including artwork, poems, precious notes from our grandchildren, and sweet messages from our children and their spouses. He loves sitting in his high-back recliner, reading these tender tributes to him. They bring back cherished memories and remind him how much he is loved.    

It’s delightful having him home and caring for him. He is always so kind and appreciative. We’re not sure what the future holds, but we are finding joy in each day we have together. 

Doctors Deliberate

 Another week has come and gone at Providence Milwaukie Hospital. The ERCP procedure scheduled for last Friday had to be postponed until Saturday morning because transportation was unavailable. We volunteered to take him or get Uber, but of course, that was out of the question! He would have to be discharged, go through the Emergency Department, be readmitted, and the procedure would be delayed. So, Saturday around 6:45 a.m., he was transferred to Providence Main, where a stent was replaced in the biliary bile duct. Dr. Razzac talked to me via phone afterward, indicating that replacing the stent with a larger plastic one was successful,-- no complications. His main concern was the condition of Mark’s liver. All along, we have known that the upper portion of the liver that can’t be reached endoscopically may be the problem. Even though tumors in the liver may not be active, they are not resolved, so bile can pool in areas around those obstructions. This area is likely the source of at least some of his infections.  

Mark was returned to Providence Milwaukie around 2 p.m. and slept the rest of the day. Jessie took a “Dave’s hot chicken slider,” which he was most grateful for. He cannot stomach the hospital food!

Sunday, Rachel had the opportunity to spend some time with her dad. Recuperating takes time, so he wasn’t as chipper as he had been with the boys, but they were happy for some time together. Finally, on Monday, it was my turn again. While I was more than a little anxious to see him, the time the children got to spend with him was sweet, and it all fell into place amazingly well. The timing worked out for them to be there in succession without disrupting their schedules. 

The plan was for Mark to be discharged yesterday, but his morning labs showed that the bilirubin count increased significantly. Although Dr. Taylor has no say at this hospital, he was uncomfortable with a discharge. We expressed our concern, so the GI doctor ordered another CT scan. It didn’t show much change, but the consensus is that the bile backup is from the unreachable area in the liver. Another procedure can be done, but it is not pleasant. A radiologist inserts a needle using imaging guidance to find the infected fluid in percutaneous abscess drainage. A catheter is placed to allow drainage to a sac outside the body. Again, the risk of infection is concerning.

This evening the GI doctor came by. His reasoning was along these lines: you look good, you don’t have a fever, no chills, there is not just one spot with pus that could be easily drained, your WBC is normal, not through the roof. The procedure with the outside stent is a lifestyle changer. Why not wait until you really need it? It is a good backup when things get bad, but they are not that bad yet! Go with low-grade long-term antibiotics and manage the C-diff. 

The infectious disease doc seems to be on the same page. The GI doc wants to see how things go tomorrow to make the final call. If needed, Mark would be transferred back to Providence Main and would need to stay there to be monitored. We’re hoping it won’t be necessary, and maybe he will be discharged tomorrow. He is anxious to get back to a comfy bed, his high-back recliner, a room with a view, and for us to be together again! I like that plan, too!! 

Not Often Found in Humans…(by son, Tyler)

Mark has been at Milwaukie Providence since Monday. He’s not an ICU patient, but he’s in the ICU because they have available rooms. It doesn’t look like he’ll be transported to Providence Main anytime soon because of their lack of beds. The good news is that ICU nurses are quite responsive! 

Mark has multiple infections—C-Diff and Sepsis, and he’s on two different antibiotics to fight them. They pulled out an unknown bacteria from his bloodstream that the resident doctor had never seen before. And apparently, it’s not a bacteria often found in humans….. (so many questions but not many answers)! That said, it does have ties to the biliary tree, which is where Mark has a stent. 

They believe the stent in the bile duct is causing the source of the infection—the blood work suggests a partial blockage. Tomorrow early-afternoon, Mark will be transferred to Portland Providence, for an ERCP procedure to replace the stent, and then he’ll return to Milwaukie Providence for monitoring and recovery. Typically these stents last three months before they need replacing, but apparently, Mark has an exceptional ability to clog his stents within 1-2 months—always over-achieving. 

Mark is generally feeling okay with some nausea and a mild fever that comes and goes. He enjoyed a Chick-fil-A burrito this morning and continues to rely on his trusty Tang to stay hydrated. Mom hasn’t felt great this week, so Rachel has been with her, while Michael, Eric, and I have had the opportunity to be with Dad during the day. He’s allowed one visitor per day. He says he has “really enjoyed the time with his children.” And while he has to say that because he’s dictating to me, I get the sense, he means it. :) We love you too, pops! 

Home for One Week

When Mark is doing well, I forget to post, until I start getting calls and texts asking how he is. Sorry about that. 

Last Tuesday, the 4th, he was discharged with antibiotics for the C-Diff. We drove to the coast for a couple of nights, and then back home. The past few days Mark has gotten weaker and had several dizzy spells, along with increased nausea. This morning, he started having shaking chills. The most concerning issue, though, was confusion. He couldn’t tell me what he wanted to say. I called the cancer center and the triage nurse recommended that I call 911. Hospitals are full, and I knew he didn’t have the strength to sit in an emergency room. Neither of the large Providence hospitals were accepting ambulances, so he was taken to Providence Milwaukie.

Tests have revealed infection, but the source is still unclear. More concerning is that he has a lacerated spleen. That was a surprise.  He has not had a fall or any kind of injury. The ER doctor wants him to be transported to either Providence Main or St. Vincent in case he needs surgery. Neither hospital currently has a bed, so he is being monitored until something opens up. 

Getting him to the hospital was definitely the right thing to do. When I left this evening, his vitals were stable, he wasn’t in pain, and he was sleeping most of the time. We’ll learn more tomorrow. 

Your prayers and support are so appreciated!!! 

Happy New Year in the Hospital

 The evening of Mark's birthday, he didn't feel so well, which progressed throughout the week. By NYE, he was in bed most of the time, nauseous, and had diarrhea. His fever never went above 100, and he had no chills, which was different. We talked to the on-call doctor with hopes of getting through the weekend without a trip to the ER. But, by the afternoon of New Year's Day, he was so weak, he could hardly stand. We knew it was time to go. After triage, he was taken to a room in the Emergency Department, where he was given fluids for dehydration and IV potassium. A CT was done, which showed inflammation in his colon. This could be C-Diff raising its ugly head, but not necessarily. More tests are being done. 

Last night, he was taken to a room on the 7th floor, where he remains under observation. Today he already feels some better. He'll be here until they determine the culprit and can send him home with the proper medications. We hope that won't be too long, but it's a good thing that we came. It's comforting to be here where he can get the care he needs. 

Update: Labs came through that verified C-Diff. Because this is reoccurring, Mark will start a different medication, Fidaxomician, which should be longer-lasting.

January 3rd:

Mark was admitted and will stay until Tuesday, the 4th, to ensure the new medications are working well. That's good. He's weak but much more chipper than before we came in!