Bump in the road

Scott has been having a little trouble the last few days.

A culture (test to see if infection is present) was taken of Scott's amputated leg a few days ago and unfortunately it came back positive with two types of bacteria (E.Coli and a second bacteria....that my Mom and Janiece couldn't the name of :) Scott has been started on two antibiotics. We are all hoping and praying that these antibiotics will take care of the infection in Scott's (amputated) leg.

Scott also developed a large blister on his amputated leg at his incision. This has caused quite a bit of discomfort for Scott. At one point, Scott's medical team thought that it may have to be lanced (drained) but that would create another "wound on top of his current wound" which could lead to more problems. So far, they are just waiting and seeing what happens and so far, the blister remains.

Scott went to McKay Dee hospital today to have his wound looked at. He is carrying a lot of extra fluid, despite being on a diuretic (medication to rid his body of the extra fluid). They wound team were quite concerned about the fluid and are watching it closely. Scott needs to keep his amputated leg elevated.

Having Scott home has been wonderful and he is so much happier at home. However, it is easy to feel like he is "well and fine" now, when I see him dressed at home in his recliner. While, he is SO much better, he still has a long way to go.

In other news, Scott and his family continue to feel the amazing love and support that pours over them daily. Thank you. We can never thank each of you enough, or express how much it really means to our family.

Life at home

I spoke with Scott a few hours ago to see how he was doing. Life at home is good and he is happy to be back at home. He told me he has been transfering himself to the bathroom, to bed etc fairly well. His drains have not been working properly and despite the home care nurses efforts, they still aren't draining well. Scott has an appointment tomorrow at McKay Dee to see what can be done about his drains.

I hate to say it, but I really miss having Scott so close. I'm glad he's home but I miss being able to look at his leg myself, talk to the doctor myself, and on and on. Basically, it was easier for me to check in on him!

Scott is loving his visitors and we are once again overwhelmed with the kindness and love from his community. Thank you so very much.

:)

Welcome Home Scott!

Newsworthy :)

There hasn't been much new information to post the last two days...hence why I haven't posted!
If I had posted the last two days this is what they would have looked like:

"Scott wants to go home. The doctors tell him he can't go home yet. Scott is not happy about this. Scott thinks the food at the hospital is terrible. The end."

But today, I have some good news to report...if everything goes as planned, Scott will be going HOME this Wednesday! He was told this morning, that he might be able to go home tomorrow, but the doc decided that Wednesday would be best, to ensure all was in order before the big day. Scott was pretty disappointed that tomorrow was out, but hey, what's 24 more hours when you have already been in the hospital for 624 (aka 26 days)? :)

Scott still has his PICC line (the long term IV). Today he had to receive Albumin in it, because his level was too low. Again, this can be caused by his liver impairment. There is no plan for Scott, to go home with his PICC line though, and it should come out before he is discharged. I know Scott will be glad to be rid of it.

They did change Scott's dressings and vacuums on his amputated leg yesterday, and that is still quite painful for him. I don't know how often he will have to have this done when he comes home.

Scott is progressing well in Physical Therapy. He has not had any more falls! The other day they took him out to the parking lot and he practiced getting in and out of his own truck. I was seriously afraid he was going to take off in the thing and not look back...luckily he behaved.

Since I put out the request for people to send cards for Scott, not a single day (that we receive mail anyway!) has gone by that I have not received a card (or more likely many cards!) for Scott. I assure you, that each one has made it to Scott. Each one has been loved and a source of encouragement for ALL of us. I can't thank you enough. It has been so fun to see the support "mailed" in for Scott. I have loved it just as much. Again, thank you.

I have to tell Janiece how much I love and appreciate her too. Because Scott was the oldest and I will forever be "the baby" :) Janiece was my idol growing up. You know the annoying sister that hangs all over your crush? Well, that was me. I always thought that Janiece was coming to visit me, not Scott. I wanted to scream with excitement when I got to stand in their wedding line. I loved every moment of shaking hands with all the people who came to wish Scott and Janiece well on their wedding. You would have thought the celebration was for me, because of how excited I was. When my nieces came into the world (and later my nephew), I loved them fiercely and was their number one aunt (at least in my eyes :) I took them to show and tell, and told everyone who would listen, that I had a sister in law and later that I was an aunt. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I've always loved Janiece, but even more deeply now. I have seen her stand with courage and face these challenges head on, never wavering in her faith or love for my brother. I am so happy he has someone who loves him so much. I know he will be fine, because he has Janiece by his side. She has shown compassion, when it was difficult! She has learned and done things that I am sure were never things she wanted to do. She has stayed by Scott's side, away from home and all of those comforts, because Scott wanted her there. Tomorrow is their 20th wedding anniversary and instead of spending it on a night out, she and Scott will be spending it at the hospital. When I expressed my sorrow in that, when talking to Janiece, she said "it's okay." And she's right, it doesn't matter...love is so much more than that. Thank you for teaching me that, Janiece. I love you to the moon and back.

I am proud of Scott and so relieved he is at the point he is right now. He still has a long road of recovery ahead of him and I pray daily that things will go as smoothly as possible. I pray that I see Scott smiling, happy, and healthy at the Box Elder County Fair in just a few short weeks-doing the things he loves and delighting in the sight of his children doing what they love. I know it will happen.


Thanks for following Scott's blog and continuing to check in. It has been an absolute joy and wonderful therapy for me to write it. I have so enjoyed doing it...even the times when I couldn't see the screen through my tears.

I still plan on writing updates and putting out information for the blood drive when the finishing touches are complete. I hope you will still continue to read.

I love to write, yet I can't find the words now to express my gratitude. Thank you, does not seem like enough. I kind of wish I could move back "home" for awhile to meet those of you I don't know and tell all of you personally how much your support has meant.

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it" William Arthur Ward

"Cease not to give thanks...." Ephesians 1:16

With so much gratitude,
April

We LOVE Rehab! ;)

I just left the hospital from seeing Scott.

He is doing well, but still begging and pleading to go home. The doctor had a heart to heart with Scott and said medically he was not ready to go home. The doctor said that generally patients with similar situations, stay in rehab anywhere from 2-8 weeks (Scott has been there 2 1/2 days now). He said Scott needed to stay at least one week and then they would take it day by day.

Last night the wound care nurse came into see Scott. She "milked" a lot of fluid from Scott's leg which then caused severe pain for Scott. It was a rough night. Luckily today he is much better and told me he did not have any pain.

His potassium is still low, which may just be a "normal" for him. He is also still taking the diuretic (to get the extra fluid off his body) and this could also cause his potassium to be low. Either way he is taking potassium replacements to try and replace what he is lost/losing.

Since Scott came to rehab he has been getting dressed everyday-he has less tubes now and getting dressed is even possible. It is great to see him dressed and not in a hospital gown anymore!

I think this may be the hardest part for Scott. I told him today that he just needed to be patient (I know easy for me to say)...he's going to go home soon and what a great day that will be.

Two Days, Two Falls

Sorry for not posting yesterday. I was attending a beautiful funeral for my Grandpa-in Law in Oakley, Idaho. It was a perfect tribute to a great man. We love and miss you Grandpa!

Scott is working hard in rehab. Yesterday, when Janiece left for a moment to shower, Scott tried to get up by himself to use the restroom. He fell and sweet Mick was the person there who had to go get help. It scared him. With a lot of help Scott was able to get back into bed. He was stiff and sore but the Physical Therapy continued.

The fall also caused Scott to have more drainage from his amputated leg. The drainage also changed into a "new blood" color. It is worrisome.

This morning I got the bad news that Scott had fallen once again. This time they had to get the lift to get Scott off the floor. So, for today, he isn't allowed to use the walker and is only able to transfer to and from the wheelchair.

We are disappointed and worried about Scott falling so much. It is an eye opener to say the least. We're grateful that this has happened at the hospital though, where there are a lot of people and the right equipment to get Scott back up. What would happen at home? I really hope Scott can realize this as well, and will give rehab (a lot) more days to help him.

Day of Frustrations

Today has been a frustrating day for Scott...and for his family!

As you know Scott wants to go home and was bound and determined that tomorrow would be the day that he went home...regardless of what the doctors recommended. When his family said that would not be taking him home, in desperation Scott began making phone calls to his friends to see if they would take him home. Sorry, if you received one of these phone calls.

My heart is once again breaking for my brother. There is no place like home and no one wants him home more than Janiece, his kids, and the rest of us. I think we can all see a little more clearly then Scott, the obstacles he (and his caretakers!) will face and we want to be as prepared as possible.

Scott is a social guy. He would be on his phone chatting with everyone non stop if he could. This is a challenge for him to be a "prisoner" (his words, not mine) in the hospital when all he wants is to be back home, doing the things he loves to do, talking with the people he loves, and living life again. I think he feels like we are trying to punish him by encouraging him to go to rehab but we all truly want what is best for Scott. It's very sad.

Besides the emotional roller coaster we have had a few other little setbacks.

Scott had one of his drains taken out of his amputated leg today...for a few hours anyway. Unfortunately, when he stood up, the place where the drain once was, leaked like a running faucet and the drain had to be replaced. He can go home with this drain, it just would have been nice to have one less "cord" to deal with.

Scott also attempted to use crutches today and it did not go as easily as we had all hoped. He is still very weak. Scott was really disappointed and this was also a sad moment and a mean reminder of just how much life has changed.

For now, Scott has agreed to go to rehab until this Friday. This is a good start. I pray that Scott can do well in rehab and learn (and be able to physically do it) all he needs to know for him to be mobile and have some independence when he goes home. I think this will make him so much happier.

Continue to pray for Scott, he still has healing to do.