Surgery #12 - Day Four

Hi Everyone!

I'm a little behind on the updates ... sorry about that for those who may have been waiting.  

Rees was released from the hospital late afternoon yesterday.  That's a BIG HOORAY - we're not usually OUT that quick!

However, the day actually started with an NPO order (no food or drink by mouth) and the possibility of Rees going into surgery again.  

Raise Your Hands IF You Saw THAT Coming!!

 

Rees developed a pretty large hematoma on the left side of his head, just above his ear and he was also actively bleeding for the first day or so ... during the second night, either he was still actively bleeding OR the hematoma was pushing through the incision because he was soaking through gauze pads every twenty minutes or so.  The resident doctor thought it might be a problem so put him on the NPO order and thought the hematoma would need to be evacuated in the Operating Room.  Rees also has a much smaller hematoma, same location, opposite side of his head.

Lab was ordered and it was found that he has in fact lost more blood since the most recent lab after surgery.  The standard range for hemoglobin is 11.5 - 14.5 g/dL.  When Rees initially came in and had lab drawn prior to surgery, his level was 13.  In just a short time after the surgery began he dropped to 7.7 g/dL.  After receiving two units of blood, he was at 8.8 g/dL (but then couldn't receive any more blood due to his negative reaction.  When we left the hospital, his hemoglobin was 7.8 g/dL.  He is clearly low ... but the surgeon felt the risk was higher for further complications if they open up his head again AND/OR if they attempted more blood transfusions.  

Sooooooo ... we are home and we are having Rees REST, REST, REST ... and we are working on applying ice and heat alternatively to hopefully dissipate or cause the hematoma to resorp.  We are also providing foods high in Iron to help with blood cell production.

We're doing okay ... and he's doing okay.  One day at a time is what we've become accustomed to.  
Here's a photo I took of him this afternoon ... he's such afternoon trooper and doing his best!! 
Sure do love him ...