Monday: January 28, 2019, 4:30 pm

            Mike has continuing diarrhea. Diarrhea is a natural consequence of pancreatitis, but he is sufficiently healed from the breakdown, so that should stop now. They are checking him for some bug in his colon. His room has a red stripe in front of it now, and we all have to suit up in blue cover gowns in gloves.  I don't know when the results will come in. I do know that this is not caused by pancreatitis or his kidney disease.

            I did ask one doctor today, the hospitalist, what to expect for him in the long run.  He said if it were a mild case, he would say that he could expect a full recovery and be able to go on with his life as it was before.  But it is not a mild case; it is a severe one.  I hope Mike will be committed to as full a recovery as possible, and I will help him in every way I can.   I feel confident that our friends and family will help in any way they can, too.  Either way, recovery, full or otherwise, sounds like it is going to be a long haul.  How long I have no idea.

            I've been getting some good feedback on my updates. I can imagine there are those of you out there who think it is just too much information.   Please, feel free not to read them.  I write them not only to keep people posted but also because it makes me feel somewhat better to write and to write for an audience that I know cares about Mike and me. I'd say to those of you who don't like it, press unsubscribe, but I don't have that service available.

     The business office contacted me today.  Wow! Do we ever have good insurance! I've paid more for one doctor's visit in OH on B/C B/S than we pay here for this wonderful hotel service and all the room service conveniences at the hospital. We love Kaiser!    

Monday, January 28, 2019, noon

The head-head surgeon was in. Mike's pancreatic numbers are normal.  We are now dealing with the aftereffects of the attack, which can also be lethal.  However, the head-head surgeon smirked when I told him what the previous surgeon said. I remain hopeful.

             If you don't get emails for a stretch, not to worry. I'm almost out of juice, and I don't have my power cord.

            For those of you who don't know the story: I packed a suitcase.  The guys who drove the ambulance to the airport told me that my suitcase wouldn't be allowed on the plane because of bulk and weight. When I arrived at 3:30-4:00 am, I pulled things out of the suitcase and stuffed them into shopping bags.  It didn't get to take all of it because I was concerned they would make me leave things on the tarmac. Our power cords got left behind.

            We flew to Honolulu in an ambulance plane about the size of a large pencil. Sadly, neither the sun nor the moon was outshining on the water as we flew the 200 miles.  While I had heard that flying in a small plane can be bumpy, this was the smooth flight, and the landing was one of the best I have ever known.

            Friends on the island are putting together a care package, including my power cords, and sending it to us.

            Thanks again for your concern and prayers and being willing to tolerate my need to share the news with everyone.  It means I don't have to carry it alone.

Monday, January 28, 2019, 7:35 am HST

            Well, he had to go back on Fentanyl because of terrible back pain.  He had a bad night with only bits of sleep.  Between the drugs and the lack of sleep, he is basically out of it.  During the night, he started pulling on the oxygen telemeter, and then his nasal oxygen supply, and this morning, he tried to pull out his IV.

            His night attendant (yes, there is someone sitting in the room 24/7 watching him) tried to explain why he couldn't do all those things.  Mike would say, "Okay," and a minute later, go to work again.  We got some respite when I told him the Bishop ordered him to stop, and if he started up again, I would report it to Fr. Lio, the pastor he works under.  That bought us some respite from his antics.

            The surgeon was here this morning, who is the person in charge of this disease.  I asked him outright about Mike's chances.  He said he has seen people die from the disease and the aftermath of it, and Mike has a very bad case.  I started to cry.  Mike had the best reaction in 24 hours.  He said, "She's trying to kill me off." This is somewhat of an in-joke with us.  Since I lost my dad at 15, I expect people to die if they are not where they are when they are supposed to be there.  This has been going on since we were 30. He'd come home late and find me curled up crying.  I would say I was ready to put on my widow's weeds. 

            I know that close family members have already proposed coming out to help me.  I don't think there is anything they can do while he is in the hospital, and it would be very inconvenient more than helpful.  However, when we get home, since we may still be dealing with the aftereffects of this problem, I think everyone should come out. We'll work it out.

            If anything critical happens in the hospital, I will put out an APB, no worries. 

            I stay hopeful. It's still inconceivable that he should be gone from my life.