Wednesday - 2pm

Scan was clear. Just another 'lonesome bug' says the Surgeon so back on the antibiotics. Should also help now that hiss bowel's getting some nutrition and having to work as that's more protection from the bugs getting in. Hope they start the antibiotics soon - he's having a terrible day (although apparently not even prescribed yet - and more than likely won't start still tomorrow as that's when he's picc line goes in).
Surgeon has also insisted 'nil by mouth' to give the ulcers time to heal. Michael has been drinking and now it's back to swilling - not happy :( While I write this he's gearing himself up to taking 3 tablets (only thing allowed orally). But the other thing the surgeon insisted was to close the stomach tube - because he's been feeling so sick, he's left it on free flow again but that's just confusing the stomach by draining away everything. Tablets just gone down the hatch!! Tube got to be closed for at least 4 hours - and then if Michael's feeling really awful (and its got to be really awful!!!), clamp can be opened and drained. So as well as counting the hours until his next anti-sickness, also counting until tube can be opened!

Scan also showed lung back to normal. In fact never knew it was anything but normal!! Apparently its usual after ops for it to be a little collapsed - but now its back to fine.

Picc line going in tomorrow - under light sedation, in the room. Maybe another technique for me to learn? Michael had one of these when he first went on tpn - its less restrictive than a hickman, and is placed in the lower part of the upper arm. He's having two lumins (they're the bits you inject through), just in case the tpn has to go back up. You can't have injections and tpn going through the same line. Hopefully tpn will not be needed but if it is, just saves him from having another procedure. The picc can't come soon enough as another venflon is about to collapse. Michael's poor arms are black and blue.

This most probably all sounds like things aren't progressing and at the moment that's how I feel. I was so positive yesterday that it was going to be the start of moving forward and then the bug returns. The Team have stressed that this is not a step back at all - it's just the process it takes and he's doing just fine. Guess I have to keep on being the strong one and motivate Michael - although I don't think there's much I can say that will motivate him today.

Justine

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