Quick Update

We checked in to room 319 at 7:30pm. It's a private room with two beds so i was able to stay with him.

Our new doc, an internal medicine hospitalist, finally saw us at about 10:30 last night. He said he doesn't think it's bursitis and is more likely cellulitis due to staph. He ordered a bunch of blood work (Ken HATES needles, so this was not good news), and an IV of an antibiotic and saline. He said Ken would have an MRI and ultrasound in the morning, and then he'd check back in with us.

The nurse who was assigned to us tried FIVE times to insert the IV needle before admitting she should have worn her glasses and got someone else to do it. This did NOT help Ken's fear of needles! Poor thing. :( If she were a man, I'm pretty sure he would have hit her. Then, every time he was finally able to get to sleep, someone would come in to draw blood! Or ask him the same questions someone else asked hours earlier (such as "is there any metal in your body?"). It was a rough night.

This morning, the night nurse woke us at 7 to tell us we had better order breakfast, so I did. But at 9:00, she came in again and told us nevermind - he's NPO, which means he can't eat or drink anything because of the upcomimg MRI. Then, at 11:00, our NEW nurse (shift change) said we had better hurry up and order food because MRIs were backed up due to emergencies and he had two hours to eat. Ken was definitely frustrated to learn he had been starving all morning for no reason. So, I called in his order yet again. Finally at noon Ken was able to eat something (for the first time since lunch yesterday). They eventually took him down for the MRI at 3pm. Ultrasound still hasn't happened.

Doc checked in with us around 2pm. He said the reason for all of the blood work all night long is that his kidneys don't look great and his white blood count was too high. He said these could be due to the Advil and infection. He informed us Ken would need to stay at least one or two more days. He said he'll see us tomorrow, when he has the results of the MRI and ultrasound.

The red area is bigger today, but lighter in color. The doctor seems to think this means the IV antibiotic is working. But the darkness of red has varied every day - it's the consistant growing that has me doubting.

We're hoping we don't have the same night-shift nurse that we had last night. Ken hates hospitals and she really wasn't helping, bless her heart. She's sweet as can be! Just not the best with details or being gentle.

I'm home now to pick up a few things, feed the girls, shower, and respond to urgent business emails - heading back to the hospital in a minute.

Thanks for your prayers and well wishes - keep them coming, please.