Rolling along...

No new news to report, Jen wants another dialysis session with the fistula (Wed.) before she's ready to remove the chest port. Everything else is still holding true...

News to squish by

This pink sample of cephalopod Coleoidea of the order Octopoda arrived this week. It made Jen squeal. That is good.

Jen's fistula has been ruled 'acceptable'. This means that her chest port is going to be removed probably by next week. After that it's a week of antibiotics and then on to UCSF!

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”

I ran across this quote from Albert Einstein last week and thought it fitting for the health care industry.

Glucose sensor

They approved the Dexcom glucose sensor for Jen! This is very good news, the sensor will be crucial for Jen to maintain her overall health outside of the hospital.

There is a wish of the higher ups at Kaiser to move Jen straight from Kaiser to UCSF. We will see what the final decision is soon, they still need to talk to UCSF about what protocol they wish to use.

Jen continues to improve, she is eating semi-regularly and her tube feeding moved from a constant 24 hour cycle to a 12 hour cycle at twice the rate.

Updates

Jen was completely unresponsive this morning, but apparently that is due to the fact that they did the echocardiogram on her and she was still groggy from the sedative. I don't know the results yet, but I'm sure glad they let me know that it was happening today. (They didn't.)

From the sound of it her chest port will come out next and they they are looking to release her home, and then to UCSF. I'm not sure what to do though if she comes home now...she needs monitoring while I'm away at work but I don't want it to be invasive. I've looked at setting up a network DVR...the problem is she doesn't want to feel as though she is being babysat which I completely understand. We'll start with the training for the dog when she gets home from UCSF, whenever that may be.

Confused about the internet? Gabe and Max explain it all the in a quick and easy way!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPsUmhqncAg

http://tv.boingboing.net/2007/12/07/gabe-and-max-answer.html

Woodney and Lemenieu

Jen and I were watching 'The First 48' on A&E a week ago and a suspect's name was 'Woodney Lemenieu'. Jen took an immediate liking to the name and laughed every time it was mentioned. I took the opportunity to paint (I don't paint so it that explains the quality) what 'Woodney Lemenieu' conjured up in my head for Jen's birthday and this was the result. I was asked to post it here, and I couldn't without the explanation. That's all there is. (Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic)

Thanks

Jen (and I) want to say thanks for everyone's visits for her birthday. It means a lot to both of us to know that she has such great friends and family!

Question: What do sloth's look like before coffee?

Nothing really new...

The next generation of caring Kaiser staff at a 'patient rights awareness' rally.

Jen is still doing OK, she has only been sick a couple of times over the past month now but each episode only lasts a few hours vs. a few days. They have started to use her fistula for dialysis so progress is being made along that front too.

Totally unrelated but really amazing art video here

Birthday

So Jen's birthday is coming up on the 22nd. I think it'd be best to have people visit on the same day, probably Saturday so that everyone has time to visit. It's unclear on whether she'll be at Walnut Creek or UCSF, but I'm guessing Walnut Creek. I'm not planning anything really so feel free to contact me if you have an idea that you think she'd like.

Jen's fistula looks good, they've started dialysis with it so if all goes well they will pull out the chest port by next week. After that they'll ramp down her Fluconazole antibiotic, and then look to transfer her to UCSF.

Jen has been doing really well, she's been eating normally for the past 3 weeks (a record) and only had a couple of days of nausea. Progress is obvious. I'm optimistic that after her surgery for the gastric pacer she'll be able to start living a more normal life sooner than later.

So, that's it for now...

Random note: I attempted my fist motivational poster below, what do you think?

A Japanese man 'gets his wood on'

Yes, that is made of wood.

Thought I'd share this amazing artist's work. He builds wooden sculptures are just awesome. I tried to see if I could get one for Jen but he only sells at art shows. Another reason to go back to Japan!

http://take-g.com/ Go to the 'crafts' section to see these incredible sculptures.

Birthday

Careful, it has a hair trigger.

Jen's birthday is coming up soon (5/22)...any ideas for gifts? It looks like she'll most likely still be in the hospital for it...but most likely at UCSF. No official word on when that's taking place yet.