A New Day

Shelby and I had a sleepover at the hospital last night with Scott.  It included ice cream at midnight, too much TLC (crazy couponers--who knew?),  and a lot less sleeping. 

Some of the medications Scott is on--to rid his body of the excess potassium, and to also help his failing liver filter out the bad stuff, have some, less than pleasant, "side effects" that can keep a person and his helpers up at night.  It was a long night--- at least I thought so. Although, this morning, Shelby said Scott had "slept pretty good."  Again, I don't know how Janiece has been doing this night after night.  It's exhausting. 

This morning Scott's Sodium level was 108 (it was 107, yesterday.  We want this to go up--around 120 would be a great improvement).  His potassium was 5.8 (down from 6.2 yesterday--we want this to go down, to below 5.0).  Not a huge improvement, but I think more time is needed to see the changes we are hoping for.

His blood pressure continues to be very low 90/20's (diastolic in the 20's causes me some anxiety. It's not good. Yikes!) Because of this and some of his other lab levels, Scott is receiving a blood transfusion right now. 

Scott was fairly alert this morning, but he is back to sleeping now.

We haven't spoken to any of the doctors, yet.  The next update, I hope will be their recommendation.  Pins and needles...

A few funnies (if we don't laugh, we'll cry)

About the only thing Scott wants to eat is popsicles.  Usually his request is for rootbeer or banana popsicles.  Since we have been in the hospital he has only asked for GRAPE popsicles.  We have no idea where this new fondness for grape has come from, but...grape it is.

Scott talks A LOT in his sleep.  Cows, horses, chores etc are just a little bit of what he said to us during the night--all while being 100% asleep.  Last night, everytime anyone came into the room, or when Shelby and I would stir.  Scott would ask for a popsicle.  At first, we granted his request, but he would literally take one small bite of it and then immediately go back to sleep. 

He continued to ask, at every noise, and Shelby and I started telling him, that he would get one in the morning, that it was late, time to sleep etc.  He accepted this, and again would literally fall back to sleep 1.2 seconds after asking for the popsicle. 

Around 4 this morning, Scott kept bumping the arm rail with the nurse call button on it.  Each time the staff would ask over the intercom if we needed something.  Each time, I would say sorry we bumped it, sorry it was an accident... Finally on the 4th or 5th time the CNA came into check on us to make sure we were okay. 

Scott whispered to the aide "it wasn't an accident, can you get me a popsicle?"

Shelby and I, in our half sleep deprived delirious state-both busted out laughing.  Scott was trying to whisper his request, so we wouldn't hear and talk him out of it. Just like before though, 1.2 seconds later he was snoring again, his request forgotten.  Popsicle melting.  

Apparently, he is listening, and apparently he's a little more awake than we think!

I'll update when there is more to update about. 

April