Day 6 at Kaiser

Mike's been up and down as far as his blood infection. He's been alternating good and bad days, and yesterday was a good day: pain under control but only as long as his affected leg is elevated, although he still has a low grade fever. Blood pressure is the highest its ever been because of the pain but his blood sugar is staying stable on the new medication. Mike still doesn't have much of an appetite, again due to the pain and new meds, but they're providing tasty and varied meals for him to pick through. He was able to walk down the hall yesterday and we got him a quick shower, so that felt really good. His first bariatric bed kept shorting out, so he has a new bed and this one has lots of railings he can use for hand-holds to keep steady. Really, the nursing staff are amazing with him and we're very pleased with the care he's receiving through Kaiser.

We don't have a release date yet and I'm not sure what home care will look like ... he's got an PICC line (form of IV) inserted deep into his chest and is taking lots of antibiotics that way. They mentioned that the line has to be cleaned once a week at a medical clinic, and a home infusion nurse will come to Wilsonville once he's "out" to train us on his meds, etc.

Oh, most important, his room and room phone number is different, in case you need to reach me and my cell phone doesn't pick up or if you just want to chat with or visit Mike: Kaiser Sunnyside Room 321, phone 503-571-8875.

Thanks so much for your care -- warm emails, lunches(!), play dates for Tatum, prayers, calls, visits, FIREWOOD! -- the list goes on of the outpouring of love we're receiving. We're so grateful.

-Shawnee

PS - You can share this if anyone asks, no written release required due to HIPPA. =)