Thanks to all of
you who sent good wishes. I haven't been
on my computer much because I left my power cord home. Oh, well.
While the
problem isn't great, Mike is healing well.
His pain level yesterday was a 7 to 8, and today it was from 5 to
6. When he was in the ER Thursday night,
it was a 20 on a range of 1-10. Pancreatitis is one of the most painful things
one can endure. (Other painful things
can happen to our bodies, like having every bone in your body crushed, but
shock kicks in and kills the pain.)
Pancreatitis is a disease in which
the enzymes, stored in the pancreas, are all released at once and destroy the
organ. It is possible to have a mild attack or a severe attack. Mike had a very severe attack. Most of his
pancreas was killed. He may be a diabetic because if it killed the part of the
organ that produces insulin.
We were told that he might be in
the hospital for 2 to 3 days, 2 to 3 weeks, or 2 to 3 months.
The doctor was in today and said he would cry if he was here for even
one month. At this point, the most optimistic estimate is one week.
Mike is suffering from hunger as
well as pain due to the swelling in his abdomen. When he came in, he was
dependent on intravenous liquids to stay hydrated. Nothing could pass his lips. Anything introduced through the mouth would
induce additional pain, triggering the GI system to go into action and pump out
more enzymes that would attack the pancreas.
Today he was allowed to suck on ice chips. When the doctor came in, he talked about
starting to introduce clear liquids: Jell-O, tea, clear broth, etc.
Mike was seen by a surgeon who was
on call in case a more radical approach is required, and his body didn't do the
job of healing on its own. There are two
possible outcomes, as I understand it. If he is unable to consume food on his
own by this coming Thursday, a port will have to be inserted that can handle a
denser level of nutrients than the saline port can. The other is if the dead pancreatic cells
have to be surgically removed. I'm hopeful that it doesn't come to either of
those situations.
The best news is that Mike asked
for his glasses today. I took them off his face around 9 pm on Thursday night
in the emergency room in Kona. He asked for them a Saturday around 2pm. Now he has been on powerful painkillers,
including Fentanyl. He has been
reluctant to take that because of its bad reputation. I assured him, as has the
doctor, that it is unlikely to become addictive when under hospital
supervision. I assured him that he'd have a tough time staying addicted with me
on the case. I said, "Remember, Mike. You're married to me." He
agreed to take them, not to worry about it and enjoy the relief from pain.
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