Our second Friday night in the hospital

Here we are a week later, and there are more questions in my mind than answers. We seem to be stuck in a holding pattern, waiting for Judy's intestinal system to overcome its shock and go back to work. The urine culture that was taken two days ago indicated a bladder infection, but with the help of antibiotics this seems to be under control--but what to make of some of the blood in the urine? Judy continues to have serious problems with gastric fluids that are not completely removed via the NG tube; today she threw up five times, under great distress, finally ejecting every time some of this vile-looking liquid that also accumulates in the "stomach vacuum cleaner." Why can't this be managed better? The dry heaving and eventual throwing up take so much energy out of her. The CT scan did not indicate any leakage in the bowel resection, but there seem to linger certain concerns in that regard. What will the analysis of the fluid show that was aspirated today from her chest cavity?

We had hoped to be out of the hospital at this point. Instead, we have no idea when this point may come.

We are so fortunate to have friends who give me a break since at this point it is unthinkable to not have somebody with Judy at all times. Tomorrow Kathy O. and Cheryl W. will give me a big break during the day that I will use to do some shopping and go for another bike ride--gotta eat and exercise if I want to be able to do this for a while. Our dear "little" Emily gave me a two-hour break at the end of the day, which I used to mow the lawn and prepare a meal. Tomorrow she'll do the same. When I got back, we sat together, hugging each other closely. Judy said that we looked pretty cute.

It is almost midnight and I better close things down. Let's hope for some progress tomorrow.

Jürgen