Saturday, April 20, 2013

Update on Don's condition

I talked to Don at 7:15 am this morning (he's still in the hospital) and got an update on his condition. He had a catheter put in yesterday evening and they drained off ONE GALLON of fluid from his bladder. As you can imagine, that made him MUCH more comfortable! He’s on an IV drop of sodium bicarbonate (why, I don’t know). His blood pressure is vastly improved – it was dangerously high. Best of all, his creatinine levels have stabilized.

Apparently creatinine levels in the blood indicate kidney health. The norm is about 1.5. Yesterday when the doctor analyzed his blood sample, Don’s measured a dazzling ELEVEN – which is why they instantly sent him to the hospital to see a kidney specialist. As of this morning it measured 3.5, so it’s vastly improved.

As of his phone call this morning he had not yet seen his doctor, so I’ll know more a little later on. Your prayers are working, please keep them coming!

22 comments:

  1. Glad I peeked in to your blog this morning. Please email me the hospital contact info. Thanks.

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    1. Robin, I tried to email but it got bounced back. I think I have an out-of-date address for you. Please email and I'll provide info.

      - Patrice

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  2. Patrice,

    So, so glad to hear Don's improving. How scary! I'll join everyone else in praying for all of you.

    I'm really not that far away, so if you need help, email me at dragonfly.garden at yahoodotcom. (I met you and your family at your Costco book signing.) I'm more than happy to come up and help - I'm not a farmer by any stretch of the imagination, but I can muck, feed, and do what I'm told. :)

    Blessings to you all,

    Lisa

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  3. IV bicarb is given for acidosis which can happen in renal failure.

    Prayers going up for Don and your family :-)

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  4. Hoping for a fast recovery and that the doctors give you the information you need to know to make sure this doesn't happen again!!! Prayers are with you guys and don't worry about us, we will see (read ) you once things are back to normal, focus on your family!

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  5. I just read the earlier post. Praying for continued healing!

    Em

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  6. I know exactly how Don feels right now. I went through the same sort of ailment on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean years ago. Get well soon Don.
    All my thoughts and prayers to this fine family...

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    1. Thank you for your service, Brian. Continuing to pray for Don and the family. God bless you all.

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  7. Don is in our prayers....so sorry.

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  8. Don and you are in my prayers.

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  9. We're praying here! Just saw this now.

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  10. Patrice,

    My family has Don and you in our thoughts and prayers.

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  11. Praying ---and don't forget the cherry juice. Look it up :>)

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  12. Whoa.

    Prayers up.

    oxoxoxox

    A.McSp

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  13. Oh my goodness, it hurt just to read "one GALLON of fluid"... praying for Don's recovery!

    Julie G

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  14. Glad he is improving. Continued prayers!

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  15. Hang in there. Sending get-well wishes to the Boss's Husband and stay-well wishes to the rest of you!

    Praying now.

    Just Me

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  16. Praying for you all, and especially Don. And about the sodium bicarbonate: kidney failure can sometimes cause an acid-base imbalance in the blood, which the bicarbonate can help to correct.

    Alana

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  17. Holy Toledo! I look at a gallon jug of milk, then I try to imagine my bladder swollen to that size.

    Thankfully my imaginings fail me or I'd end up under the covers, quivering, in a fetal position.

    God Bless ya Don!


    Steve Davis
    Anchorage, Alaska

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