We had quite the day yesterday. We left the house at 6 and didn't get home until 4. I know Bill was tired and I was exhausted. And of course when I get that tired I get cranky and impatient, so it was a trying evening at times, too.

Our first stop was the ENT, Dr. Shete. She scheduled his sinus surgery for the 23rd. He would have to be put on a vent for the procedure. But it would be done in the ambulatory center instead of the hospital. He still has fluid behind his right ear, which is contributing to his hearing problem.

She did contact Dr. Shaboghadi, Dr. Sarah as she likes to be called, and we were able to go for the additional hearing test right then. She also confirmed the fluid in his ear and said that his right ear showed no real change from the test she did in the hospital. But the left ear had improved. So, whatever was going on with the left ear had resolved. She said to come back after th.e surgery for a last test and then we could get his hearing aids from the VA at no cost, so that will save a few thousand dollars! She also accompanied us, pushing Bill in his wheelchair, through the underground tunnel to the hospital so that we could get something to eat. She even went with us all the way to the cafeteria and offered to help get our food! But, I told her we could manage that ourselves. It wasn't crowded yet so I pushed Bill through and saw that they had chicken strips on the self serve so that's what he decided on. Then I got him situated and went back to get our tray.

We were both tired enough by then that we really weren't hungry, even though we were hungry since we hadn't had any breakfast. I hope you can understand that feeling since most of us have felt that way at some time or another, I'm sure. By then it was time to walk back over to the other building (going the "normal" way). We did have a little problem, the 2nd oxygen tank I had with us leaked all the air out as soon as I opened the seal. So, put the old tank back on which still had a little left in it and walked all the way through the building to the end of the parking garage and got the 3rd tank, then all the way back to the front of the building to the elevator to get to Dr. Burbeck's office.

We got in a little early there, which is unusual. She usually runs late. After all of the preliminaries were done, walking and a pulmonary function test, she nixed the surgery for the sinuses. She said that lungs weren't strong enough at this time to handle it. She did say that the IV medicine he's on should also clear the sinuses, although it doesn't seem to be doing a lot of good. Most of the drainage seems to be collecting in his upper airways so he sounds like he's gurgling. She told him when he starts doing that to cough it up...and out. She did another chest xray and a breathing treatment before we left. The xray had improved from the last one done. She said he still has pneumonia, but the IV meds are keeping it at bay for now. And she recommended that we do the breathing treatments on a regular schedule again instead of as needed.

So, the results weren't exactly what we had hoped for. But, they could have been worse with her wanting to admit him again, although I don't think that was actually on the table. I did ask her about that tubing we bought with the mouthpiece on it and she was quite intrigued. I had brought one with us and she had a couple of her people look at it. But, as I suspected, it's useless. They did a bubble test which consists of putting the cannula in a bit of water to see if there are bubbles. If there are, oxygen is moving through, if not no oxygen. The nasal part passed the test, but the hook for the mouth did not, so no air gets to that part. But it was worth the try. She also bumped his oxygen to 4 liters continuously, which is really pretty high and is going to eat those tanks up really fast. So, if I talk to our delivery man today, and I should, I'll ask him what other options we will have. The portable unit we bought for the car only goes to 3 and the DC cable is not working. We ran totally on batteries there and back and barely had enough tank oxygen left. There was his little walking tank to get from the car to the house but I can't drive and hook tanks up at the same time!

Last night was the first night I set an alarm and got up when it was time to disconnect his IV. As soon as it was time to do it we hooked him up and then went to bed. That's really when the cranky set in. It seemed like Bill was doing everything possible to avoid getting ready for bed...when he had been snoozing on the couch! And then the kitten started in getting into things. He was totally wild last night for awhile and I had to get the water bottle after him. Cat brought me her "dead" mouse in the night and just meowed and meowed until I scratched her head. She's slowly getting back to the old Cat, although she still doesn't like Mousie much.

The rest of the week was pretty normal. We did not get the IV meds until Tuesday, so he missed 11 doses. I called the supplier Monday morning and found out that they hadn't been ordered! So he called the office and got that set up. But instead of using a courier to drive the 70 miles and back to get them to us, the sent them the usual Fedex overnight. We still don't have an appointment for next week. I called Dr. Threlkeld's office and they told me they were still moving patients around and they hadn't forgotten about us. So, I'll need to check on that again today, since he will get his last dose of medicine tomorrow morning. Ricky will be here today to change his dressing and maybe do labs again.

One of our friends from Mayo passed away this week. He was another VAD patient that we mentored. We sat with his wife during his implant and she sat with me during Bill's transplant. John had opted not to get a transplant since the VAD made him feel so much better. He hadn't been doing well for a few months, losing blood but couldn't find where it was coming from. Anyway, I got a message from Cindi that he had passed away and then she thanked me for giving them the courage to have the implant which gave them 6 1/2 more years together. I feel so bad for her, but I understand what she means. We may have to take a detour when we come home to stop and see her. She lives outside Pensacola in Gulf Breeze. I don't think they were affected as much by Hurricane Michael as elsewhere. 

Our weather finally got cool! We were in the 90s earlier in the week and this morning it's only 45. The house is a little cool, but it's 70 in here so not too bad. But supposed to only be in the 50s for the week-end. I'm making a pot of potato soup today so that will be good for tonight. Tonight is also homecoming so there will be a parade this afternoon that we won't go to of course. But, the kids are all going to the game at least.

So, big update for this week. If anything breaks with appointments for next week I'll let you know. It's now time for more coffee and almost time for Bill's morning IV. See you next week!