May 31, 2013 - Update 3 for Today

 So, we finally got word at 6 pm.  Jason's echo showed a mild effusion, which isn't so bad except it was larger than a couple of days ago.  They stopped his injections and started him on diuretics and lowered his Coumadin back to 6 mg.  They'll do another echo tomorrow morning and if it's the same or smaller they'll discharge him.  I've already gone to the hospitals pharmacy to fill all his prescriptions, so hopefully discharge will be quick tomorrow morning. I talked to the kids and they are okay, but I cried after talking to them. I miss them so much!  I'll probably just stay the night at the hospital tonight since I already checked out of the hotel.  I'm very disappointed as I know Jason is.  He was already to go today, already wearing his tennis shoes and shorts. I know staying is what is best for Jason, it just sucks.

May 31, 2013 - Update 2 for Today

 Still waiting for doctor :(  Just had an echo and still waiting for lab to come and draw blood that was supposed to be done at 2 pm!  This is getting a little frustrating.  So, no new news yet.

May 31, 2013 - Update 1 for Today

Jason's nurse said his INR was 1.8 this morning.  So, now we are just waiting for the doctors to come by and let us know the status on if he can leave today or not.  They also did a CBC blood draw at 3:30  this morning and then his INR blood draw at 6:30 this morning.  They also have an order to draw blood at 2:00 pm for the 24 hours after he started the Lovenox injections.  So, if that's the case, they won't discharge until those results come back at least.  The nurse was going to ask if they could do it earlier, so we'll see.

May 30, 2013 - Update 2 for Today

 So Jason is off  Heparin and gave himself his first injection of Levenox.  He was so nervous!   Some volunteers came by and were inviting the patients to come do arts and crafts. I forced Jason to go so he could get out and do something different.  He really ended up enjoying that and we each ended up making a card.  Mine is the elephant card and Jason's is the dolphin card.  They turned out cute.  We got back to the room and Jason started the uncontrollable shaking again :( I had him sit and talked to him for awhile and it quickly went away.  He's excited that he is no longer hooked to anything since the Heparin drip is gone.  We walked two laps before the crafts without the pole and there was some shaking but not bad because he was holding my hand. I  think holding the pole earlier was helping him control his shakes. I might see if Parker Healthcare rents things like the pole to  help him walk with since it seems to work.  People keep asking what INR means, and I found this website: http://healthengine.com.au/info/INR_Test

May 30, 2013 - Update 1 for Today

INR was only 1.4 this morning, but it takes two days for it to change.  Since his dose was increased yesterday, we probably won't see the jump on INR till tomorrow.  Dr.  Diego is guessing 1.7  tomorrow.  He's going to start him on some injection that he'll have to do at home since his INR probably won't be where they want it by tomorrow, but this will allow him to go home tomorrow.  We'll have to get his blood checked first thing Monday morning at the Quest Diagnostics lab in Melbourne.  The shots will basically take the place of Heparin.  He'll have to do one in morning and one at night.  He'll have to do that until his INR is between 2 and 3.   He did 4  more laps this morning.  His sheets got changed, and he got bathed with new gown and new boxers, so he feels good now.  He ate all his breakfast before I got here and I brought him an Apple fritter, which he ate willingly :)  He also went 7 1/2  hours between Percocet doses with minimal pain.

May 29, 2013 - Update 3 for Today

So, we just got back from 4 laps around the wing!  So, they're telling us he'll get out probably Friday, worse case is Saturday. Like 7 people have told us they can hear Jason's new mechanical heart valve from standing a few feet away from him. I can't hear it, but my hearing is bad. He said he could hear it last night. Weird!

May 29, 2013 - Update 2 for Today

 So I brought Jason back some waffle fries after lunch and he downed them.  Not too long after he was able to go to the bathroom finally!  Our friend Mary came to  visit Jason and eat lunch with me.  It was a nice visit.  Dr.  Gessner  came to visit Jason yesterday and today which Jason really enjoyed.  They upped his Heparin drop a little this morning and they just gave him his daily Coumadin, which they finally upped to 7 mg from 5 mg the last three days, so hopefully his blood work will  show improvement tomorrow.  He went for another walk three times around the hall without the tremors or shortness of breath.  Amazing what a difference one day made!  He also got an order that allows him to take a shower, which he's really excited about. Faiza, Jason's nurse, got me one of the extra dinners they were serving patients so I didn't have to eat at Wendy's or Subway again.  She's very sweet!  Well, I have to go because Jason wants to do more rounds around the hallway :)