Just spoke with TEX!

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:31 pm

Hi All,

You can imagine how thrilled I was to pick up the phone and discover it was Tex! It was SO good to actually hear his voice. He sounded great.

He was moved from ICU to a room today. They still have not gotten him up yet but it should be soon, I'd guess. His biggest complaint is an NG (nasogastric) tube that was inserted because that milk they gave him remains curdled and undigested in his stomach. Tex and I are wondering why, oh why, would they give milk of all things to someone who just had major GI surgery????? And, he was given a big salad tonight to eat. Again, not the easiest thing to digest under normal conditions. He suggested that maybe he's getting these things because they are part of the "gluten-free" menu.

Fever has been minimal - never more than a degree above normal, says Tex. He did receive several more units of blood after the second bleeding episode. Blood pressure is still somewhat erratic, and the medication is being given IV for now. He is still receiving oxygen by nasal canula (those small tubes that fit into the nasal openings. Not too much pain - I think he said he asked for pain meds once or twice.

I sent him our love and told him how much he is missed. I even read him that little poem that Ant posted today, and he was overwhelmed and touched by it.

Keep those wishes and prayers coming for an uneventful recovery.

Love,

Polly

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:46 pm

Awwwww!!! Probably wished that you could have reached thru the phone & give him a big hug!!
Still being optimistic for his healing & recovery.
I wondered about that milk, too!!!!

And salad???? Good Grief!! What are they thinking????

Love
Dee~~

Stanz · Post by **Stanz** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:24 pm

Oh the wonders of Western med and how ignorant it is. I am so glad he is able to speak. Day 2 after my surgery I told the doctor to take the NG tube out NOW. He said "You will vomit for the next 3 days", I said "fine", and I went home. Tex is now in an "it is what it is" situation and it really sucks from my memory, and all he can do is to go with it. I cannot imagine that he will not be his own best advocate, still it is not fair that he has had to go through this. Hard not to project my own feelings here, and it is so nice to hear that he has family support to help him to recover from this.

No doubt he'll be back here soon full of piss and vinegar. Just wish he'd gotten a pass on this part of life.

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:35 pm

Dee, I sure did wish I could have given him a huge hug.

Stanz, you hit the nail on the head. The NG tube had come out on its own just before our chat, and Tex was so happy.........until someone came in the room and said it would have to go back in. He protested but it sounded like he would not have a choice. Sigh.

Love,

Polly

Post by **Rosie** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 pm

Geeze Louise, whatever happened to the tried and true chicken soup for someone whose digestive system and every other system is upset! Surely they've heard of that at the hospital!!!

It's great that you were able to talk with Wayne, and I'm so glad you were able to share our expressions of concern. That poem of Ant's is truly inspired!!

Rosie

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:04 pm

Thank you for the update. I think we'll all sleep better tonight.

Milk and a salad??? I think Tex is going to :coach:

out of there as fast as he can.

Gloria

ant · Post by **ant** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:24 pm

Dear Polly

That is wonderful news

and it is great Tex knows directly how much he is missed and loved by everyone here.

Milk? Salad? That does indeed sound like a default, do-not-have-to-think, Gluten Free menu

All best and still praying, Ant

Bifcus16 · Post by **Bifcus16** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 1:11 am

Thanks for keeping us updated, Polly.

And so glad Tex is on the mend. Whoo hoo!!

Lyn

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 6:30 am

Wish we could all give him a big hug and take over feeding him too!!
I'm SO glad you got to actually speak to him.

Love, Shirley

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 8:38 am

Great news and I still marvel at the idiocy of the medical community. Milk & a salad = trials for Tex.

The prayers are continuous.

Love, Maggie

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:08 am

Yahoo. Great news. Thanks, Polly.

No words for the hospital dieticians........

Carol Arnett · Post by **Carol Arnett** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:39 pm

It was wonderful to read such good news about our beloved Tex. My good wishes and prayers are still going his way for a speedy recovery. I bet it won`t be long before he has someone bring him a laptop to the hospital.

I just can`t imagine him lying there doing nothing instead of researching what has happened and what comes next.

PS. I have read every post since he went to the hospital and cannot find the poem that Ant wrote.

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:07 pm

Hi Carol,

Scroll down on the post "Polly--have to add to what you said" started by Barb.

The poem is only 4 lines but quite profound.

Love,

Polly

JoAnn · Post by **JoAnn** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:52 pm

Thanks again Polly. So happy to hear Tex is taking charge as always and will hopefully be posting soon. I'm beginning to think hospitals are dangerous places for people with gluten and other food problems. JoAnn

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:11 pm

Note to self.....
have emergency rations of GF/YF chicken soup in freezer for times like this.
i will get friends to heat it up and bring it to me in a thermous

Again we are reminded of the importance of Self Management, not just with meds and confirming diet limitations. it now extends to making sure we have 'our foods' at all times.