On 1/30/2008 the doctor told Paul he would have to stay in the hospital 9 more days because he still needs antibiotics IV. This morning 2/1/2008 Paul was told he'd be going home sometime today. At 2:30 Paul called and said plans had changed again and he'd have to stay till Sunday.
This afternoon they put a PIC line in Paul's upper inner arm and we are to get trained Sunday on how to do IV at home without breaking sterile. :>] We both understand how but must demonstrate to the professionals so we can do so safely at home. Four times a day at six hour intervals and with dialysis twice during the week and having the health nurse here at least on Monday will not be so bad. Hopefully by Friday that procedure will be finished and Paul will start on oral antibiotics.
Yesterday the doctor ordered medicine be placed in the dialysis tube instead of the normal back flush of heparin to try and get more of the infection killed. This is the third infection since September and the worst.
All the doctors on the team treating Paul have said they are working to get him well and strong enough and ready for the heart doctor to release him to have the fistula surgery. This is done by nicking the atrety and vein and sewing the nicks together. The pressure of the artery increases that of the vein and helps the vein grow large enough to carry blood back into the body during dialysis. This growing takes about six weeks and when mature this area will be used for the dialysis making the tubes in the chest unneeded. Thus when the fistula is up and working Paul will face more surgery to remove the tubes that are causing most of the problems (according to the doctors) removed.
That's all for now folks but be assured it won't be the last. Please leave me a note in the comments that you visited and any messages for Paul will be given to him. ....... Thank you all for your prayers. Linda
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