Blip

After the highs of the past few days, one would expect a few lows. At least this one is just a little low.

Last night Becky and I went to see Dad and when we got there he started vomiting. Since he had just started eating after essentially a 40-day fast (which maybe only Jesus or perhaps Gandhi could pull off), we thought it seemed reasonable. When I came in today, the medical staff had discovered a different reason. They think Dad has a nonmechanical bowel obstruction/ileus. The doctor's opinion and an x-ray pretty much confirm it. Apparently this is hardly unexpected for a patient who has been lying in bed as long as Dad has. (For those of you who don't have time to check out that link, basically an ileus is the inability of the bowel to move even though there's nothing blocking it.) In most cases this will resolve on its own in a few days, but they can't feed him or have him on the feeding tube until everything is okay. They're giving Dad medication for the vomiting and he's "okay" if a bit weak (and sleepy). But hiccups is one of the symptoms and that's pretty frustrating when you feel so crappy. :(

The good thing is, even with all the vomiting Dad doesn't appear to have had any problems with aspirating, so his lungs are still sounding clear. AND he was also able to do a little physical therapy today. What a trouper.

Because of this little blip, the doctor wants to keep him in ICU. Please pray that this obstruction will be resolved quickly so he can make that move soon.