Tests, more tests, blood arrives

Dear Family and Friends,

Nan is resting between tests and is back in her room trying to sleep between IV tower beepers and warnings. Her blood transfusion which started at 4 am this morning is just now completed. Probably the longest transfusion in recorded history and you know what, she is not happy about the time it took. Turns out our sweet traveling nurse applied Tenn standards in the rate of flow which is pretty slow compared to the normal standards of this hospital. When Nan raised the issue around 7 they moved the flow rate up. However when she was taken for her first test today where she got to drink wonderful barium they had to send a nurse along to monitor her vitals since she was still getting blood. She says the barium tastes like lemon and orange rinds mixed with too much sugar, does not sound good to me. Anyway that test is behind us now, they kept her drinking and then shot x rays every 15 minutes. We will find out the results later.

Well since I started this blog things have changed. Hospital Dr. came in and said subject to the results of the tests which he has not seen yet Nan can go home later this afternoon. Well that sort of took our breath away so now I need to get to Oakland and do my appraisals, go home an get the van and load the bed in the back and then come back for her highness. Nan is set to go for another test at 2 pm this afternoon which is about the time I need to leave for Oakland so I'll see her down to the test area and then head to Oakland.

Our roller coaster ride continues, we are very pleased to get to take Nan home yet are of course nervous about it. The last time she was able to be home for 8 hours. We will try to do better this time. At least the weather is pleasing today, nice temp and cool breezes.

Nan is doing well with all of this, at the moment she is sneaking ice chips, a no no for the next test. We had a nice call this morning, it was Michelle, Dr. Bertagnolli's, physician assistant just checking up on Nan and offering to provide anything we need from Boston. We were touched by her call and appreciate it very much.

When we got home Loree's daughters had created a welcome home sign on the garage door for Nan, it was so neat and colorful. We were almost drawn to tears to see it knowing how long we have been away. Thank you girls for your thoughtfulness.

My first appointment today didn't bother to let me know that the buyer had changed his mind and the deal was dead so the appointment was cancelled. Love those wasted moments!! Not worth getting upset over though, just move on.

Nan is looking forward to being able to eat after the next test. She has not been able to eat or drink since midnight and her appetite is certainly back big time. She is looking foward to sitting in her chair, playing with the doggie Starr, working the QVC magic and eating her own choice of food. I look forward to having her beside me as we sit on the deck watching the ducks and the sunset or watching the fish tank that STeve has in such beautiful condition.

Well I need to sign off now and get my actions going. We are sort of making this day up as we move along. So far there are no indications of what is causing Nan's problem but the results from the morning test and the test to come are yet to be made known.

Please keep us in your prayers. This has turned out to be a busy day after all.

We send our love and kind thoughts,

tim and nan