Update July 31, Friday 10:40

Hi. Linda had an MRI today that indicated that her lungs contained fluid to the extent that her breathing was distressed. So, the doctors put her in the hospital to give her on going oxygen, to apply more diuretics and to test for pneumonia. The doctors stressed that this was not an emergency situation and that being in the hospital will allow treatment in a setting where Linda can be monitored and where she will feel comfortable that her difficulties can be addressed in the most immediate way. Linda was admitted, IVs were established and treatment began. In terms of positive news, Linda's wound looks really good and her abdominal difficulties appear to be improved. She is on a total liquid diet and is taking new meds and all , in terms of the abdomen, looks much better. Linda has had such a hard time with breathing this week that events today offered her some solace that cause for her breathing difficulties was established and is now being addressed.The doctors want to have the diuretics administered slowly so Linda will be in the hospital another three to four days. I'm confident, as is Linda, that, once we get past this breathing issue, she will be able to go home. I'll keep you up to date. John

Update, July 30th, Thursday, 7:13 PM

Hello. We saw the GI doctor today. He indicated that the gas in Linda's abdomen could not fully account for the respiratory distress Linda experiences. Although the abdomen is distended, the degree of distention should not result in the breathing problems Linda displays. He prescribed three meds for Linda to take to reduce the gas and suggested a consult with a pulmonologist at Stanford to look at the fluid that is in her lungs to determine a course of action to eliminate the fluid. Here-to-fore, the fluid has been viewed by the doctors as inconsequential, but, this doctor feels that the lungs play a significant role, in concert with the gas in the abdomen, to create the stress Linda feels in terms of breathing. So, we are expecting to meet with a pulmonologist tomorrow, if the cardiologist can arrange it for us, or, on Monday, when we are to be seen by the Stanford surgeon, as part of our regular schedule of meetings to look at the wound. Our status, as far as where we will be over the weekend, is dependent upon the schedule of meetings tha tcan be arranged tomorow and what comes from the meetings, should they occur. So, two steps forward, one step back, on the way to getting to the bottom of Linda's difficulties. And that's the way it is... John

Update Wednesday, July29th,6:14 PM

Hi. As it turns out, we will not be able to see the GI doctor until tomorrow at 2:00PM. There was a mix up in terms of Stanford knowing of the doctor's availability.We did see the surgeon's nurse, today, in order for her to review the progress of the wound healing. She feels the wound is healing nicely. Linda experienced a day of rest and walked a little to encourage intestinal motility. Otherwise, not much is changed and not much to report. We are still in Palo Alto at a Holiday Inn Express. It is not Geyserville, or home, but it allows us to be here until we get Linda's problems resolved..Thanks, for your support. John

Update July 28th, Tuesday, 6:44 PM

Hi. Just returned from Stanford and we are ensconced in our motel room. Linda had a long afternoon of x-rays and consultations with the medical staff. Her current problem is a bloated intestinal system, filled with major pockets of gas, that presses on the lungs and inhibits breathing. As a result, Linda is limited in movement or exertion and the lungs are compressed to the extent that mucus forms in parts of the lungs. This mucus creates discomfort and contributes to coughing "jags" and inability to draw breath easily. So, Linda was referred to a G.I. doctor who used to work at Stanford, and with whom Linda had contact three years ago, when she first had distention of her abdomen, which was found to be related to radiation damage. This doctor now works at another hospital in the Stanford area. We plan to see this doctor tomorrow. We hope he knows a means to rid Linda of the gas, as all the usual methods have been tried without positive results. We also hope to find means to prevent the problem from occurring, again, in the first place.

The Stanford visit today was so remarkable in terms of the responsiveness of the staff, their kindness and thoroughness. We've never before experienced such dedication and commitment on the part of a professional staff. Where people like this come from, and how they are made, is a wonderment. We both came away from the meetings today with a better feeling about human kind and a sense of true partnership with the medical team.

So, still here. More tomorrow. John

Update, Monday, July 27th,4:29 PM

Hi. Just returned to our motel room in Palo Alto after our visit at Stanford Hospital. Linda's left lung was found to contain fluid and her intestinal system is operating with a too low motility rate. These issues combine to cause shortness of breath, from pressure, and fatigue, from poor oxygenation. She was told to take more diuretic to pull fluid from her body and she was given a strong laxative to reduce the press of the intestines on her lungs. We will return to the hospital tomorrow to see if she is improved. The good news is that her wound is healing nicely and she was taken off the wound vac. I was taught to perform wet to dry gauze packing which must be done, now, 3 times a day until the wound is completely healed. At this time, we will be staying yet another week in Geyserville, assuming linda is improved tomorrow to the extent that she can go away from the Stanford area. We are to return to Stanford next Monday. We will not leave the Stanford area until we are sure Linda is able to breathe freely and is not experiencing discomfort. That is all ,for now. John

Update, Sunday, July 26th, 2:54 PM

Hi. Headed for Stanford right now. Linda had a rough night with coughing, fast respiration and poor sleep. We want to get to Stanford ,today, to try to get blood tests and imaging completed early in the morning so that we can have something definitive discussed when we meet with doctors at 1 PM, Monday. There is something effecting her breathing and we have to isolate what this is as soon as possible. I will blog again, once we know something tomorrow, probably, late tomorrow. Thanks, John

Update, July 25th, Saturday, 11:49

Hi. Linda is doing better today. She and her doctor talked late yesterday and she agreed to take a small dose of diuretics as the doctor indicated that the blood tests revealed that she was "too wet." So we've gone from "too dry" to "too wet" and, apparently, this is the reality that lots of people in Linda's circumstances face. Linda's heart rate and respiration, as well as blood pressure, are in normal ranges, right now. But, we still have to be alert to the fact that the right balance of fluids sometimes takes a while to affect. Her situation is complicated by other problems she has had...all related to radiation ... and these problems require administration of meds that have to be taken into account when devising a course of action specific to her heart surgery. Linda's mood is, of course, better today and she is able to rest without worry about her heart rate. So, that is all for today. We go back to Stanford on Monday and hope to be given permission to retreat to McKinleyville, but, we will have to wait and see how Stanford staff respond to the wound status and this issue of fluid balance. Thank you, for your support. John