The Culprit

About 3 hours ago, I saw McGreeky walk in the room with the resident. Let's just say he has a terrible poker face.

Apparently the GI study Dan had today showed that he has a bowel obstruction (blockage). At this point, they aren't sure whether it is from surgical scarring (99% chance) or some other cause. A CT will be done tomorrow to get a better view of exactly how severe the obstruction is and exactly where it is. If it is from adhesions (scarring), it will most likely resolve on its own. There is a small possibility, however, that Dan will need another surgery to get rid of the obstruction.

The resident came in about 2 hours ago and placed an NG tube (through the nose to the belly) to help rid his GI tract of fluids and such. This will alleviate pressure on the bowels and help the obstruction to resolve. The NG placement was horrible, but very necessary. Over a liter of fluid has been emptied from his belly so far. Additionally, the pain that woke him up last Wednesday...gone.

So, we now know what the culprit is behind the nausea, vomiting and pain. Hopefully, it will resolve quickly without surgery. Dan will be NPO (nothing to eat or drink) with the NG until he can pass gas and bowel sounds return. That could take anywhere from 1 day to several. The CT tomorrow will be compared with the GI study x-rays from today to see how much improvement the NG tube has made. As the obstruction hasn't been visualized yet, the surgeon is hoping for the best but preparing us for whatever needs to be done.

Along with all of this, McGreeky has decided that we are done with the wound vac...for good. The wound is healing nicely, and is too small to need the vac. This would be very exciting news, but it is overshadowed with the terrible NG tube and the unknown concerns of the obstruction.

I have hidden myself away under the window ledge on a fold-out chair to update everyone. Dan seems to finally be asleep with the help of some Benadryl. Due to the nature of an NG tube, his gag reflex is triggered almost constantly until it gets used to the foreign tube. It will make Dan feel better in the long run, but he is positively miserable right now. I hope the next nurse lets him sleep. And leaves me alone, too.

All we ask right now is pray pray pray.

Prayer Requests:
* Complete resolution of the bowel obstruction without surgery
* Calming of Dan's gag reflex so he can be more comfortable
* Rest for both of us tonight
* Encouraging news from the CT tomorrow
* Grace for the doctors...they missed this at two hospitals and must feel crummy
* Peace and hope for Dan and I (and Bob and Jamie in Israel)
* Ability for me to stay with Dan throughout this ordeal (still no private room and no car)