Hello Once Again, Dear Hospital

And we are coming to you live once again from Kingston General Hospital! 


I brought Blake here to the Emerg Department late last night, actually more like the early wee hours of the morning. 


His pain over the last three weeks has never really gone away, but was controlled with some morphine. This last week has been a bit rougher with him needing regular doses as well as breakthrough pills to help keep the pain at bay. 


Yesterday involved a lot of pain and quite a bit of vomiting. He was weak and just couldn't keep anything down. We were hopeful to wait it out, as Blake's appointment with the Specialist here in Kingston was planned for today, Wednesday, at 3pm. 


However, as I watched Blake he continued to progress to a weaker state. I took his pulse and he was approximately 140 beats per minute. Way.too.high. I was told if he ever got to 150, he needed to be brought to Emerg. Close enough for me! 


We hit the road and arrived at KGH at a perfect time. We went straight through to triage and registration and then waited only about 10 minutes before entering the Emergency Room. That is FANTASTIC timing for Kingston! Usually that only happens in Picton! 


First they tried to get the pain and nausea under control. Then we went through a long line of doctors and interns and resident doctors.... each one wanting to hear the story of Blake's last two years in detail. That is the one thing that Blake hates.... telling the same thing over and over. I remember last year he looked at a doctor and said something like, "It's in my chart. You can read it there." 


Must remind him to mind his manners! [grin]


But it's understanding when you don't feel well. He actually just snapped a little at me a few minutes ago. The nurse brought in some medication (can't remember what it's called) that gets injected in your stomach. It helps to prevent blood clots. Blake didn't want it, but I 'suggested' he take it. I'm not gonna have even MORE problems from a blood clot all because he didn't want a little "ouchy" on his tummy.


He apologized afterwards. I've noticed he's very "short" lately, not only with me, but other members of the family. Even his Grandma! 


Whoa! 


Highly unusual! 


But understandable. 


Anyways, back to what's going on. While in Emerg last night, in the curtained cubicles, there was a gentleman who was an inmate. He had two police officers parked in comfy chairs at the foot of his bed. The poor guy was moaning from pain.


Being only about three or four feet from him with only a pink plaid curtain between us, I couldn't help but 'eavesdrop' that he had a hole in his stomach or bowel; doctors weren't sure yet which one. He was in so much pain. My heart was breaking. I so badly wanted to go and help. 


They were being wonderful with him, though, in trying to get enough pain meds into him to lower the pain. In mere moments he was rushed off to the Operating Room. I could hear them helping him to get changed from clothing to a hospital gown. Then I heard the officers' cuffs being re-attached to him as they clanged against the metal on the bed's siderails. 


That broke my heart. Even if he'd wanted to escape, he wouldn't have gotten far in that much pain. I know it's precautionary and routine, but still broke my heart. 


I don't know how things turned out because he, of course, was never brought back to the Emerg Dept. But I feel folks are in good hands here, so I'm sure he's recuperating here somewhere, under watchful eye! 


So, back to Blake. 


Basically it's the same diagnosis as before. Intestines are not blocked, but rather quite inflamed. Prednisone is being administered to get the inflammation down. Dilaudid is what is being given for pain rather than morphine. It's apparently a little more effective. 


Dr. Patterson, a Gastroenterologist, came in to see Blake today and confirmed he will talk with our Specialist, Dr. Depew, and we will see about starting Blake on Humira. 


I mentioned to Dr. Patterson that the only big medicines I hear being used to treat Crohn's Disease are Remicade and Humira. I asked him what the next med would be for Blake if the Humira didn't work. He simply indicated there wasn't one. We would possibly, at that point, have to look at cutting out a chunk of bowel.


Now, we have been told in the past that Blake did not have enough good areas in his bowel to leave (that all of the intestines would have to come out); however, Dr. Patterson said there was a good chunk of bowel that still looked good and could be hooked back up to the ileum without any problem. That was good to hear! 


But I am hoping that the Humira will be effective in treating Blake. That's what I will be focussing on right now. 


That, and the fact that SOMEONE in this hospital needs to bring ear plugs to Blake so he can sleep tonight..... the man in the bed next to him is the loudest snorer I have ever heard in my life!!!! His name is David. David is..... um.... large. And David is loud. And he seems half deaf, so everyone yells when they're in here talking to him. No rest for Blake tonight, I guess.


I know I've been all over the map with this post. I've had to do it in sections and also while dealing with a headache, so I'm sure it's all a mess. And although it's to give info to others, it's basically a journal for me to refer back to at any time. 


I will try and make the next posts more structured. [grin]


And a little more exciting. 


For now, that's it. Maybe we'll have more news tomorrow. I'll likely drive back home tonight and head back down here tomorrow. I need to sleep in a horizontal state tonight; can't do another night in a chair! 


Tomorrow maybe I'll have some time to post regarding a very special gift one of my sisters gave to a friend. We are at a hospital one-hour east of our home. My sister is in a hospital two-hours west of our home, in Toronto. Let's just say it involves a liver and a very giving heart.


So until tomorrow, I shall bid you adieu. Goodnight.