Day 4 (SDH+3)

Last night Scott Matheny came to stay with Matt at the hospital so I could go home, see the kids, and get some sleep.  We are so thankful for family and friends who are willing to help care for the kids while Matt and I are at the hospital.  The kids have developed some colds, so hopefully that will be short-lived.  Otherwise, they're doing fine.  I'm told they've been playing surgery the last few days.  (Titus' idea of surgery is cutting off heads and arms and sewing them back on.)

Thankfully Titus wasn't the one doing Matt's surgery.  The doctor didn't cut his leg off but he did make an incision about 15 inches long lengthwise down the side of his thigh.  Dr Mayo stitched it together underneath the surface skin and then glued the outer skin together.  It is a rather clean wound area. 

Matt started some physical therapy yesterday.  They taught him how to sit up on the edge of the bed.  The first time he made it for 20 seconds before he needed to lay down.  The second time he made it a little longer but had a black out and nearly passed out.  We learned that this is due to the effects of the epidural dilating his blood vessels.  When he sits up, all the blood rushes to his lower extremities and that's why he has felt nauseous as well.  The doctor said his epidural could be turned down so that he can gain more feeling and move around more.  That should help decrease his nausea too.  They just turned it down to a seven.  We'll see what happens. 

Thankfully, Matt's appetite has returned and he has been able to eat more substantially today.  The doctor wants him to get more protein to aid the healing of his wound.

The physical therapist put Matt on the CPM machine yesterday and he slept with it last night.  Matt said it feels really good to be moving and there hasn't been any pain from using it.

He got a couple good blocks of sleep last night.  Since it's the weekend, things have toned down a bit and there aren't quite as many people bustling about.  He does have new nurses and even they continue to make positive comments about Dr Mayo's work. 

Matt's blood platelet count has risen from a low of 119 to 124.  We're glad to see some improvement.  Dr Mayo will decide on Monday morning if he should proceed with the PAO surgery.  If all goes well, we hope for Matt to come home on Friday or Saturday of next week.  

Matt has enjoyed all the people here at the hospital.  I suppose it would be refreshing for someone who is basically a shut-in, not seeing his boss but every 8 years, having no co-workers, working out in the country from a bedroom closet using his wife's childhood vanity table as his desk.

Matt has a great view of the Port of Tacoma from his hospital room.  We've enjoyed some beautiful sunrises and sunsets here.