March 1, 2010 - Surgery Update

Update - 10:00 PM - Dad was awake when I arrived this evening. The respiratory team had taken his speaking valve off to give him a small rest, but he asked for it again. He didn't have a great deal to say, but the sense of humor is clearly intact. We kibitzed for a little while, including a recap of the Mountaineer's win over Georgetown. Late in the visit, he asked for pain medication - only his second dose since the surgery. He dozed off pretty quickly and was resting comfortably. Vital signs were good.

Update - 6:00 PM - Dad was awake and alert. Among other things, we talked about WVU basketball and was impressed that they're ranked 10th in the country. His nurse reported that he hadn't asked for any more pain medicine and he didn't mention any pain. Vital signs are all doing very well.

Update - 2:30 PM - When I got back to his room, Dad surprised me by asking for a pain killer - didn't realize they would be getting him off the ventilator so fast - good sign. Got the pain management request handled, but not quickly enough for his taste (elapsed time from request to injection 3 minutes). I labeled him the "impatient patient" and he said that "fits me to a T." He is resting comfortably. Heart rate, oxygenation and respiration all very good.

Update - 1:00 PM - Visited Dad. He is awake and has no apparent pain. He is anxious to talk, but we have to wait until the ventilator is removed, hopefully later today. His vital signs looked good.

Update - Noon - Spoke to one of the doctors. The surgery went well and as expected. There is an area of tissue on the bottom of Dad's foot that will have to be monitored closely for any sign of infection (it was under some of the dead tissue).

Update - 11:35 AM - Dad's back in his room (process is to bring patients straight back to ICU after surgery). Waiting to see him.

Dad went to surgery earlier than expected. They took him to the OR at 9:45 AM EST.