Steps Forward

This morning (Saturday), I arrived to find that Roy had gotten a gastro tube without having to have an EGD – they saw him last night and decided he didn’t need that – so he has been having all of his medications including his favorite lactulose that way and by IV. He has been given some nutrition that way, too.

More exciting is that he is alert and using complete sentences again. He is the original Roy again, for good or for ill. After rounds, he was given permission to have some actual foods and had some applesauce and pudding and a portion of apple juice. He’s also had ice chips and water and is going to be moving onto a full diet.

Roy’s sister Clair came by to see him and sat with him while he was eating. The NP from Nephrology came by during that time and does not intend to make any changes to his medications yet.

During rounds, they decided that he could be transferred to a regular hospital room as well. They are going to monitor some infections, but his returning to himself means that he really does not need to be in the ICU. There are a handful of people waiting for beds in the main hospital so it may not be an immediate transfer, but he should be leaving the ICU soon. Hepatology will be taking the lead on his care with nephrology as a partner so when he moves he will get a slightly different team for his care.

The tree outside the window is apparently popular with a crow (or it might be a raven, I can’t get a good ID on it yet) and Roy is laying on his side where he can see the window. He is tired because he stayed awake from about midnight until five so I am hoping he will nap awhile.

Thank you for your prayers and well wishes – still not sure what the timeframe will be, but he is definitely moving the direction we hoped.