Hi Everyone,
Well, I have some good news, Dad’s ear is doing
much, much better. Dr Rose looked at it today and said most of the
swelling is gone, there is just one area that was swollen, and she suspects was
the cause of the whole problem. She did break the swollen mass so it
would drain. It is painful for Dad right now, but hopefully by morning
most of the pain will be gone. Since Dad still has some infection she
wanted to keep Dad on the antibiotics one more week, but we feel we might be
able to discontinue the injections in about 10 days or so. I did ask when
Dad would be able to resume wearing a hearing aid in the left ear and she felt
he would be able to when he completed the antibiotics.
I asked about taking another culture to ensure
we are fighting the right fight and she did not feel it was necessary, nor to
include any oral antibiotics. She wanted to stay on the course of action
that appears now to be working.
So as it stands right now, he will probably be
on antibiotics for another 7 days, which would take him through Friday, June
22nd. The nurse that put in the PICC line said they typically like to
leave it in a couple of weeks after they have completed all antibiotics just in
case it is needed. If that is what Dr Rose wants, that would mean he
would have the PICC line in until early July, but I did not ask her that today,
so it might be good if Catie can ask at his next visit next Wednesday @ 3:00,
assuming all goes as planned.
Dad’s pain level this morning was a zero, the
first time in a long time he was pain free. By lunch though, he said his
ear felt a little swollen and that his pain level was a 0.5.
On a side note, Dad is feeling better and
better. We went for a walk this morning and then took a shower/nap while
I went for a bike ride. When I got back he said he was going to put his
feet up while I took my shower and when I came looking for him I found him in
the living room with his feet up on a chair and lying on the carpet doing
exercises. He has a strong will to get back a little of what he lost in
energy and stamina. I asked him if he wants to go to Grant’s game this
weekend with Tom and Mary and he said yes without hesitation. He also
wanted to go to Sirs on Monday and I am working with John to see if we can make
it happen. He changed his mind when we started talking about how he was going
to get there and doesn’t want to inconvenience anyone.
He is a joy to be around, is joking around a lot
and eager to do things, all great signs, but he will need help until we get him
off the PICC line and antibiotics, in my opinion.
That is about it for now, he is looking forward
to seeing Catie and Lee next week and having dinner with John and Ranae
tomorrow night.
I am including the last two weeks lab results
that I got from the Home Health Care Nurse for your records.
Love to all,
Bill
