Clear liquids never tasted so good!

Hi all -
Some of you are having difficulty signing in because a message comes up saying your invitation to the blog has expired. I think that is because you are clicking onto the original invitation link. If you go directly to Rickkickscancer.blogspot.com and then sign in by clicking on the sign in place in the upper right corner - it should work well. (I know this is obvious to many of you - but it wasn't to me so I am explaining.)

Rick has been tolerating clear liquids for 24 hours (30 cc's - or about an ounce - every half hour that he is awake). Even when he leaves the hospital, he will be limited to 1 liter of fluid a day - and that counts anything that is liquid at room temperature. - Not much to drink.) That will last for the next 6 weeks or so and then we will start increasing fluid if he needs more, but he will need to weigh and record his weight daily to guard against fluid retention because it is so hard on the heart and lung.) They removed the feeding tube this a.m. without ever actually using it. It's the second one and each one was accompanied by at least 6 X-rays, because they never could get it through the pyloris - it kept looping around. (Perhaps more information than you needed to know.)

Rick is feeling so much more like his normal self and is starting to notice areas on his body that hurt - like his left arm. They probably have been hurting all along - but there was so much going on that he was focused on larger issues. They are reducing the pain med. fentanyl because they want his digestive system to gain strength and the pain med. inhibits that. They are switching to another that he can take orally now that he is allowed to swallow.

So, for today, his tasks are to keep taking short, but frequent walks. He is still hooked up to a bunch of drips (fluid in and lasix to take it out again) and he needs a walker for support - so the nurse walks along with him. The nursing staff here on the thoracic unit have been excellent and we are so grateful for their support. Next, he needs to demonstrate that all body functions are running (he needs to eat real food and to poop) - and then they will consider sending him home. Sunday is a possibility, but it will probably be Monday. Tricia flies home on Monday and it would be nice to have him spend her last night here in the apartment, but that probably won't happen. Rick's sister Suzi arrives on Monday, so we will continue to have wonderful support.

Thank you all for the many positive and supportive comments and phone calls. Rick's throat is still very sore and he is weak, so talking is hard - but by tomorrow he may be able to take some phone calls if they are short ones.

Sue