Irv Update - September 2011 #6

Dear F&F; Irv had a rocky night. Today at 9:00 AM he is scheduled for a CT scan to check out his abdomen. It isn't getting any larger, but they are concerned about fluid collection, and to check the drain placement. Bile is still draining which is good. He is on a couple of antibiotics in case of infection. Heart rate was stable overnight. He finally started urinating after midnight. After 4 liters of fluid that was a good sign! Still not as much fluid as they expected so that is another reason for the CT scan. As I mentioned, NO VISITORS, except adult family members. I guess that is standard on this cardiac floor, not just for Irv. When I see any docs or hear the results of the CT I'll pass the information along. Penny

Irv Update - September 2011 #5

I knew everything was going too smoothly, so to speak. At 8:20 PM the hospitalist called to say Irv had developed heart arrhythmia's, was spiking a temperature, and had too low of a blood pressure even after 4 liters of fluids. They were concerned about infection (septicemia), internal bleeding from the drain placement today, and who knows what else? So, he was moved to another room, this one on the cardiac telemetry floor. He is now in room 776. NO VISITORS except family at this time. I raced back to the hospital. Irv looked very sick again. His pressure was stuck at about 90/70. He was in pain and because of the low pressure could only be given oral pain meds, which don't work very well for him. His breathing was also somewhat labored so the good IV drugs were NOT an option for the pain. His abdomen looked like he was retaining fluid in that area. He does have a large tummy, but to my eyes this seemed much larger. This was a concern that had been mentioned previously. Liver patients often develop such fluid outside of the vascular system. I strongly mentioned it to both the RN and the doctor and I hope they will watch that seriously overnight. Of course, the RN is run off her feet with FOUR patients, all sick like Irv! Modern medicine? Right! I couldn't call as I was too upset and would have just cried at you all over the phone. Penny

Irv Update - September 2011 #4

Irv's drain placement was partially successful. Bile is draining, but the doctors aren't pleased with the placement so on Monday they will try again. The hope is that the area will calm down and allow better access. Right now the engorgement from the blockage caused too narrow of a stricture to safely proceed to the "right" area. He is in room 1563. It is not a private room and is on the south side of the building and is HOT! We aren't happy about that at all. I think our insurance won't pay for a private room unless that is all that is available. Dr. Gluck was just in and reiterated that a future surgical remedy is the only option - after his liver has calmed down. A Dr. Biehl will be doing the surgery and his team is supposed to be in touch, but I doubt whether it will be until Monday. That is the news for now. Love to you all, Penny

Irv Update - September 2011 #3

It is easier for me to let you all know info when I get it than select the people who might actually need the information! Anyway, Irv is to be moved to room 1563. It is an addition to the hospital that is reached via a skybridge. Right now that is all I know about how to get there. He won't be in that room until after his drain placement procedure, due @ 10:00. Supposed to take less than an hour to complete, but we don't know if he will go right to his room or have to stay in a recovery room for a while first. We are on our way to a fix! Both of us are much more upbeat today. Irv even slept well for the first time in a couple of weeks, knowing that SOMETHING will finally be done to help him. Love to you all and thank you so much for your support. Penny

Irv Update - September 2011 #2

Dr. Gluck, the primary gastroenterologist in charge of Irv's case was just in. He said that after the drain placement tomorrow (at 10:00 AM - supposed to be at 6 PM today) Irv will be scheduled for surgery to correct the blockage with a bypass or some such thing. Obviously the drugs that should be keeping this autoimmune process in check are NOT working (CAN YOU SAY DUH? Plus every swear word you know?) The best alternative is an open abdomen major surgery to correct the problem. No more of this endoscopic crap, no more drugs (he'll have to wean off the prednisone) etc. The surgery will be within a month, possibly as early as 2 weeks from now. We are hopefully going to go home to La Pine on Monday or Tuesday with a future surgery date in hand. I am so thankful someone (Dr. Gluck) is taking charge. Since he is saying just exactly what I want to hear, and Irv wants to have done, we have faith again that a resolution to this year and a half long bucket of crap and nonsense will be fixed. Dr. Gluck isn't promising that this will be a permanent cure, but it sure as hell will be a huge improvement over what Irv has been going thru. Maybe when the get inside they will be able to effect a cure!?! That is all for now. The procedure today was canceled due to complications to the patient before Irv with a projected 2 hours to fix. Glad that wasn't Irv!! Penny

Irv Update - September 2011 #1

Dear All; On Aug 29 Irv had bloodwork done before his appt. in Seattle at Virginia Mason Medical Center. It was "normal" for him except for a really elevated glucose. By the time we got here to Seattle on September 6 he was getting very sick. On September 7 we saw the doctor and found that Irv's liver was failing due to damage from his completely blocked bile ducts. We weren't really surprised as he was becoming very jaundiced (glow in the dark yellow!) AGAIN, the definitive reason is NOT KNOWN! An ERCP was done yesterday without any success as the area was completely blocked by the bowel obstruction from January and swelling from the blockages. He was immediately admitted to the hospital. Today an MRI was done and we have finally been told (at 4:30 pm) that at 6 pm an interventional radiologist with place a temporary drainage tube by puncturing the abdomen with a big needle(?) and threading a drain thru the liver and into the blocked ducts in order to allow them to drain. If this isn't done serious and permanent damage will be done to the liver. Acute won't be applicable anymore. Yes, we are very worried. I got Irv's mother's computer so I can communicate this way and not have to call everyone. I don't remember my Facebook password so I'll have to just do email for now. (My home computer stores my passwords so I don't usually have to type them in. Lazy,I know.) When we have any additional info I'll pass it along. We are so relieved to be here at VM and not in Bend. We really wish a diagnosis could be found. It has been mentioned that the drugs (Irv is on several) may be contributing to this problem. Later, Penny

Aaron Cole Isaacson

Aaron Cole Isaacson was born the 24th of June, 2002, in Burns, Oregon. He is #4 in a family of 6 kids and he loves to fish, hunt, hike, camp, wrestle, ride his bike, play with family and friends, reading, drawing, and riding horses, whittling with his knife, and he is a fantastic cub scout, having just earned his Wolf award. He is a true BOY of boys.

His kindergarten teacher called him Kind Cole, and that fits him perfectly. He is a very loving boy who gives great hugs and likes to be held and talk. But Cole will stand his ground and fight. He loves the aggressive competition of wrestling and "took out" the bully at school that continued to pick on his friend Bryce; Cole is VERY loyal.

Most wouldn't know he likes to talk because he can be quite shy around some people. He has a wickedly quick sense of humor and loves to banter with Uncle Seth. He is the only 8 year old that I know that consistently puts himself to bed before 9 PM so he gets the rest he needs for school. He brushes his teeth, says his prayers, and heads to bed consistently every night without being told. He is a very dedicated student and is a pretty good piano player that practices without being told. When he makes up his mind to do something, he does it..................and he does it well. He has a great inner drive to succeed and do his best. Basically he doesn't take after his dad in the "self manager" area, exceeding my abilities in leaps and bounds, but he definitely has my love for the outdoors, and his ability to tease is on track with mine.

Friday was his 9th birthday and I took him fishing for some daddy and son time. I've included a few photos here, but for the full story and videos, you can visit my blog www.meadsflat.blogspot.com. It is one of the blogs listed on this page.

Love to all.

Cole's biggest fish of the day. A nice rainbow caught on a 6/7 weight fly rod and a brown wooly bugger his dad tied.

This is me rowing the boat!