THE RIDE CONTINUES

After a good weekend, yesterday, Sanford had stomach pain and was unable to keep food down, so rehab decided to send him back to the hospital. After a barrage of tests in the ER, they still don't know why it happened. He was treated and the decision was made to admit him.
We arrived at the hospital by ambulance at 5 PM and I got home at exactly 1 AM.
His group of doctors consulted together and then with us about him coming home soon rather than going back to rehab (with help for me in the the mornings to care for him), Visiting nurse, Physical Therapist and transportation for treatments. So we await their decision. To be continued....

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.

Deja Vu.....

Sanford, was happy to return home from Rehab late afternoon Thursday. Friday he was 110%.. only to wake up Saturday morning with a swollen leg and was extremely weak, apparently due to the internal bleeding overnight. Paramedics took him back to the hospital around noon. They discovered that he also had a blood clot in his leg, however, they could not give him blood thinners, due to the condition of his kidney. So they had to insert a filter to prevent the clot or piece/s of it from getting to his lung. While he had that procedure Colette and I went to the mall that was nearby to get something eat...the hospital's cafeteria food is not the best.
The rooms in the ER are private with a TV, which was great because he was able to watch old war movies between tests, when he wasn't dozing. LOL As we waited for another procedure/test, he fell asleep and I turned off the light and slept ... so soundly that when the nurse and doctor came in she had to say 'Hello' twice before I woke up.
Colette and I left about 9:30 PM ... after he was transferred to and settled in the ICU.
Sunday, after lunch, Colette and I went to visit and he was in bed dozing, but woke up and started watching a football game. Monday he was transferred up to the regular floor. No oxygen, nor tubes, just the port, which prevents him from having to be stuck with any more needles.. He was doing great when I visited him.
We don't know what to expect or when... like whether he will come home or go back to rehab or ?? He has referrals to see at least 5 doctors after he returns home and he is stronger, 3 of which include 'out patient' procedures.
This will be an that October I will always remember.
To be continued......................

SANFORD IS BACK HOME

Just had to share the good news with you .. This afternoon Sanford, was discharged from the Rehab Center to complete recuperation at home; after 9 days in the hospital and 6 days in the rehab center. He is still weak, but like me and many others, he is so happy that he is back home again. There is NO place like home!

Yesterday in Atlanta, our #2 Daughter,Toni, was diagnosed with pneumonia. Poor baby, since last week she thought she had a bad cold.

WE'VE TURNED STILL ANOTHER CORNER

It's been a very stressful weekend.
On Friday Sanford was transferred to a rehab facility which we discovered was, in our opinion, sub standard and unacceptable. Plus it required me to travel 1 & 1/2 hours on 3 buses to get there (I did that only one time, I was driven there other times).
On Monday I made MANY calls and today (Tuesday) he was transferred to the facility that he should have been sent to on Friday...which is less than 1/2 hour away from home by bus.
first facility was giving him foods that he should not have on a Renal diet, including fried chicken and a ham and cheese sandwich...Duhhhhh.
But Thank God, he's out of there and in a better facility where we won't have to worry about him getting proper care. We will all sleep better tonight.

The physical therapist said that he could be there for a week or two, depending upon his progress.

Thanks again for your prayers.

We Turned A Corner Yesterday

Yesterday we turned another corner on the road of life... Sanford was transferred to a nice rehab center. It seems to be exactly what he needed. He's happier there. Colette [#3 DD] says it's partly because he's no longer confined to the bed and can finally get up and move about. She took a picture of him while we were there today, which I'm going to try to post.
The lady from Rehab, took him for a walk down the hall, with him using his walker. He did so well, she told him he 'won't be in there for long'. Being able to get out of bed and that open back hospital gown and putting on his own clothes also helped to lift his spirits.
Today he was out of bed most of the day, sitting in the chair, doing one of his favorite past times...watching football on the TV. All of the above made for a real Red Letter Day. God is really Good!! All the time.

San would say that he never had a moment of pain...if he doesn't mention those times when some incompetent nurses attempted to take a blood sample. He's so kind .... When it was obvious that they were not good at getting blood samples, he would not ask them to get someone else. It makes me so sad to see the big bruises all over his arms, knowing that they don't have to be there and he didn't have to suffer... if the techs had only used the port, rather than sticking him.

I am quite sure all of your prayers and ours were heard and answered. There are absolutely no words to accurately express our most sincere appreciation for all of your prayers and expressions of kindness, so I'll just say Thank you! and God bless you!!

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.

UPDATE ON SANFORD

I visited Sanford this afternoon and I am so happy to be able to tell you that he sounded and looked good and was eating good too.. he was like his normal self...teasing and joking with the nursing staff. I think it is at least partially due to the Procrit injections.



Recent test results indicate that he has Gall Stones and an enlrged heart. Yesterday he also had a nuclear bone scan, no results yet.
He has at least 5 doctors plus a consult.


We can't say thank you enough for your prayers, good wishes and your concern. May God bless you all.

FIRST OCTOBER UPDATE

Late Wednesday night Sanford was admitted to the hospital for tests and blood transfusions. Next day our doctor decided to have the planned and scheduled tests and procedures done while he's still in the hospital. After what was learned today I wonder if she will feel the same when she learns what was discovered today.. for example, gallstones have been added to the list of problems/conditions and about the parathyroid situation that had been put on a back burner.
We are both glad that he's there so that everything possible will be done for him in as short a time as possible, rather than over weeks or maybe even months. Due to the anemia, he's weak but he has begun the Procrit injections which will make him feel so much better.
The best news in all of this is that he has NO pain. Thank God.