The CT scan results are in and a biopsy will be necessary. However, we are not going to have it done this trip. Much to our surprise the docs have decided to discharge Jimmy this evening. We are going to go back to the hotel tonight, perhaps, if he feels up to it, leave out tomorrow sometime to come back home.
WOW!!! What a whirlwind of events!
So, now what ,right? They want him to come back in mid to late January 2010 for additional work up to get placed on the transplant list. After that, the real discussion of risk vs. benefit of the different options will begin.
There are risks involved in regards to proceeding with the original plans. And there are questions of how much real time will that buy. The Fontan conversion is a palliative surgery, not a cure. I am sure that there will be much discussion before it is all said and done.
As for now, they want Jimmy to lose some weight, enjoy the holidays and get ready for next year!
And I thought the stressful times would be nearing an end with the end of this year.!! It appears that they are just beginning. I will continue to update the blog with information as it becomes available.
I know I keep saying it, but THANK YOU ALL for everything that you have given of yourselves. You each deserve a HUGE return on the emotional investment that you have given so selflessly to our family! May you all have a beautiful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. God Bless- Jimmy and Tammie
Monday, December 21, 2009
Post-op day 5: 2:24pm
Wouldn't you know that I missed speaking with the doctors this morning...But, we do know that there will be no more surgeries this visit. Today Jimmy went for his CT scan, they did a full body CT with contrast to make sure that all other body systems look OK. I am not sure when we will know those results.
The options as they were presented this morning are:
1. Come back in a few months and try to complete the Fontan conversion surgery.
2. Have a transplant.
3. Treat medically.
Jimmy remains in the ICU for now. I am not sure how much longer they plan on keeping him here. The insurance company didn't want to authorize a facility change if the CT and possible liver biopsy could be completed here. As I mentioned above, he had the CT scan already, they have opted not to do the liver biopsy at this time and will revisit that idea should the CT scan suggest it be done.
It is our impression that we will be able to return home sooner than we thought, but that is still unclear. Jimmy's parents are headed back to Ada later this evening. Jake and the puppy Max are going with them.
As always we appreciate your love, support, and prayers.
The options as they were presented this morning are:
1. Come back in a few months and try to complete the Fontan conversion surgery.
2. Have a transplant.
3. Treat medically.
Jimmy remains in the ICU for now. I am not sure how much longer they plan on keeping him here. The insurance company didn't want to authorize a facility change if the CT and possible liver biopsy could be completed here. As I mentioned above, he had the CT scan already, they have opted not to do the liver biopsy at this time and will revisit that idea should the CT scan suggest it be done.
It is our impression that we will be able to return home sooner than we thought, but that is still unclear. Jimmy's parents are headed back to Ada later this evening. Jake and the puppy Max are going with them.
As always we appreciate your love, support, and prayers.
Post-op day 5: 6:53am
Well, it's day 5 post-op and the original plan was to get out of the ICU 2 says ago. He was to move out to a step down unit yesterday, but, it was Sunday.
The ICU doc was in this morning and used the ole line, "what have you been told?" so that he didn't reveal more information than he was supposed to. :-) The plan today is the same as it was yesterday...Move to St. Luke's and complete additional testing...that is if the insurance company says that it is OK.
I stayed the night with Jimmy last night and he had an OK night. Of course, he wishes that he could have slept longer. This will all get better with time. So at this hour, we are still pretty clueless regarding a plan. I know that there are several of you that want the info as much as we do. I will post more when I know more....
The ICU doc was in this morning and used the ole line, "what have you been told?" so that he didn't reveal more information than he was supposed to. :-) The plan today is the same as it was yesterday...Move to St. Luke's and complete additional testing...that is if the insurance company says that it is OK.
I stayed the night with Jimmy last night and he had an OK night. Of course, he wishes that he could have slept longer. This will all get better with time. So at this hour, we are still pretty clueless regarding a plan. I know that there are several of you that want the info as much as we do. I will post more when I know more....
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