Nov.27.07

I was just talking to Rich since I didn’t make it there because of the snow we were blessed with last night. The surgical team came in to speak with Rich about his insition and they say that it looks better so they are just going to keep an eye on it. The surgeons as well as his doctor said that the pain on his right side is now because of a fluid pocket in between his kidney and bladder. They also say that it has decreased since the last CT Scan so they are going to wait and see if it goes away on it’s own.  His doctor said today that Rich is still going to be in there for awhile but no one is saying for how long. The surgeon said that they would like to see the insition looking better before he goes home. He has started keeping most foods down but once in awhile is still throwing it up.

Wow!! what a response.

Okay, so… He doesn’t want to hear excuses why you can’t go… he just has been asking lately why no one is calling or visiting. He is feeling better but because of his infection and no eating they will not let him go home. He is getting very bored and wants to see people other than his wife, mother in law, brother in law, and his grandparents(Paka & Beppe Smid).  He just want to see/or hear from his friends. So if you are wanting to give him a call cuz you can’t make it out to Van just let me know, He’d love to hear from anyone!! Thanks so much. (5months today!!!)

 (I do print off all the comments so that he can read them when he feels up to it.)

where is everyone??

So… He is still at VGH on the 15th floor. Where is everyone, it is very rare that the phone will ring and he says that he hasn’t had visitors in days. He is very lonely and is just wanting some company.

Just when you think you are close.

So the last few days the docs have baan noticing some infection around the bottom 3 or so inches of his insition. So today they froze around it and sliced it open. Then they took scissors and cut out the infected flesh. (He watched the whole thing). They are using a special kind of bandage that they think will help to heal it. His counts are back up but his pain level in almost through the roof again because of this mornings bedside surgery. So, he is almost at the end of the tunnel. They are waiting for this to heal up and also for him to start eating. But… he is not going to start eating untill the insition is more closed up. He is still throwing up so you can imagine what it feels like to throw up when you have recently been cut open.

Sorry for the gross news. Hopefully there will be some possitive news soon!!Thanks

Do you want to help Rich reach his goal?!?

SEND THIS TO EVERYONE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT WANTS TO HELP US!!!!

Rich is wanting to raise money for cancer research.

So… He is auctioning off every inch of MY HAIR!!!  (Which by the way is almost 1/2 way down my back) SO….If you want to see me bald your gonna have to start pledging those dollars!!
We have already started the fundraising for the head shave so get in on it as soon as you can! Email me or give me a call and I will meet up with you and bring along a pledge sheet for the event!

As you all know my head shave will be held at our fundraiser on Feb.22.08 at the Rancho in Abbotsford at 6pm.

(Tickets will be on sale soon!!!)
If you still have bracelets or any of the money that you raised from them if you could get it back to us that would be really appreciated.
Also, if you have anything for our silent auction that would be great as well, so that we can get it all ready.

Thanks in advance for all of your help and support with Rich!!!!
richandkatrina@gmail.com/www.richsmid.wordpress.com(our update blog.)

He’s getting back on track now…!!!

Rich now has just a few staples left to come out and is cathetar (don’t know how to spell that crazy word…!). THey are a bit concerned that there is something wrong with his kidneys. He is having a lot of blood coming out through his urine and in his illeostomy bag as well as his hickman line. They think that his blood thinners are on a high dose, so they have lower that. He did go for an ultrasound of his kidney today so… I’ll keep you posted!

Rich is doing so much better!!

Yesterday Rich’s WBC was 5.3 and today they are at 14.8. His hgb yesterday was at 96 and today 101. Platelets yesterday were 71 and today they are 79. His spirits are getting more stronger and he is getting to be more like himself. I have talked to him everyday this week, but I was sick and I couldn’t go visit so last night I went and he is doing way better. His insition in still seeping and really sore, but he seems so much more content than before.

He is on the home stetch now everyone, don’t stop visiting him yet!! If you haven’t gone to visit because you are nervous to see him, now is the time!!! He is looking great!! Thanks so much for staying in touch and caring about our situation!

Rich’s counts today.

his WBC are at 1.2, his Hbg is at 95, and his platelets are at 44 and he is also having a transfusion today.

Both the Ultrasound and CT Scan results show just liquid around where the infection was. So they are not too concerned with those results.

update…

The only this that we know is that his WBC count is at 0.1. it has been at 0.0 for a few days so up one is great. I was there last night to see him and he skin looked really yellow. (still not sure why though.)

There is no word from his CT Scan or his Ultrasound yet.

complications with surgery??

I was talking with Rich’s nurse earlier today. They are doing another CT Scan on his abdomin, he is still in quite a bit of pain, so they are needing to make sure that they got all of the imfection out when they did his surgery last week. Hi ileostopy is also a color that the specific nurse is concerned about so they are getting Dr. Manangetti (his surgeon) to come back to see him just to make sure that the site is healthy and not infected also.