4/24/16 evening update

The reason Jennifer built the blog for us is to be able to control the time and energy spent on communication.  For us, it is much better than either texting or emailing.  They take too much time and energy, neither of which I have enough of. Plus, Colleen needs rest as well.  She commutes, anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours each way.  She runs interference for me with the docs and staff and waters plants at home.  Plus maintains the home.  Obviously if I initiate communication please respond directly.  Comments through the blog are still welcome.  But understand that a response, if necessary, might take awhile and show up in the blog.  Priorities are the docs, walking and resting. 

We are being  trained in pill taking.  Done it for years, but this is for keeps.  They supplied a pill box with four 'cups' per day.  Most of our pills are new to us and critical to take and to take at the proper time.  John also does his own glucose testing.  All of these must be done under staff observation while the testing protocol is being observed.  What used to take a few minutes (the nurse would say 'take these' and John would take them, now takes 45-50 minutes.  No wonder we feel we are stressed for time.

A new bruise (probable hematoma) has been found which shows up in the form of a bruise about a foot long and three inches in the left groin.  And guess what?  An ultra sound had been ordered.  They take no chances here. 

The prednisone protocol is to get me off the drug, hopefully within 2 months.  That will also help control the glucose issue and maybe end the self testing. It is possible that I might eventually get off of the diuretics.  Chest x-ray didn't show any problems. There is always water retention after major surgery.  I was pleased that overall my weight has been four or five pounds lower than when I entered.  HA!  Cardiologist informed us that the LVAD part in the old heart weighed three pounds.  Popped my bubble.

This is today's blog.  The next one will be tomorrow in the late afternoon or early evening. 

John