Raining, warm, humid and still no drinking water

Hi all -
This a.m. we learned that Rick's dobhoff is clogged and they didn't think they could unclog it, so they took it out. They agreed that since the dobhoff was dumping nourishment into the stomach anyway, we can try having Rick drink 40 cc's of boost by mouth instead. Of course, it will reduce his nourishment a bit because he won't be drinking while he is asleep, but who really sleeps for any extended time in the hospital anyway? They left the NG tube in, clamped, for the next day in case there is a jam up and they need to take the fluid off of his stomach. They know the NG tube is causing irritation and some bleeding, but the team thinks it is better to leave it for now rather than pull it now and have to reinsert in this afternoon - or worse, risk Rick vomiting again. He will also get two units of blood today because his hematocrit is a bit below the cutoff. He is also cold and tired, and the blood will give him a boost.

I hope this isn't more detail than you want to know. We have co-workers, friends, and family reading the blog, some of whom are medical professionals who want detail. If it's more information about Rick's digestive system than you ever wanted to know - avert your eyes when you sense the details are coming.

Thanks to all of you for the many cards, good wishes, phone calls, prayers. Please keep them coming.
Sue