Week 4

Chad is now off his pain medication. I think this is a minor miracle considering he has been on these medications for over two years with only little if any withdrawal symptoms. Today is Chad's 4 week anniversary for his surgery. We made an appointment at Mayo Clinic to have his take down surgery on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Week 2

Chad's pain from his surgery is now going away. Chad is starting to cut down on his pain medication and hopes to be off the pain medications in a week. He is more confident with his pouching system and is going out more. Last Saturday Chad went to a movie and out to eat with his girl friend. Today Chad had a Cat Scan appointment to make sure everything is healing up OK. Day by day improvement is his goal.

Day 8

This morning Chad's fever was gone. We suspect that Chad has had a flu bug since Sunday that started with a sore throat. He is up and moving this morning and looking and acting more like his old self. Chad had more blood tests done this morning, but as far as we know they have not diagnosed this five day illness.

Hooray! Chad was discharged out of the Mayo Clinic Hospital at 5:30 p.m. this afternoon. We are flying back to San Antonio tomorrow afternoon. We all are looking forward to getting back to South Texas.

Day 7

Chad isn't doing too well since early this morning with a fever of 103 and vomiting.  He is back on IV's for hydration and a stronger IV antibiotic.   He's not talking to us much this morning because of a sore throat, fever, nausea and pain.  The blood work done the day before yesterday showed that his white blood cell count is good , so it doesn't look like an infection.  The doctors have more tests ordered for today.  Maybe his fever will break today, God willing. Please keep Chad in your thoughts and prayers today.

Day 6

Chad's fever was gone this morning and he looks much better than yesterday. Chad is off the IV that he was put on for hydration due to the fever last night, and is being given antibiotics for his sore throat and fever. He is still having trouble eating today because of his sore throat, but has managed to take a few walks. We do not know when he will be released from the hospital. Hopefully tomorrow will be the day we can make arrangements to go home. We're waiting to see if the fever returns tonight.

Day 5

Two steps forward one step back. Yesterday afternoon Chad was having abdominal cramping possibly caused by dehydration or maybe food blockage which is not uncommon after his type of surgery. He had his IV in only for pain medications and not for hydration. He needs to drink 8-10 glasses of liquid each day and learn to eat his food slowly and chew it thoroughly which will aid in digestion. This a learning process for him and he will get it eventually. Chad did get up and moving this morning. He took a shower and went for a walk. He did not eat breakfast, but he did have a hot dog for lunch, yummy.

Unfortunately Chad will not be released from the hospital tomorrow. At 7:30 p.m., Chad said he was hot. His temperature was running 102.8 degrees. The doctor has ordered blood cultures and other tests to see what is causing the fever. Please keep Chad in your thoughts and prayers tonight and tomorrow.