Dad the Pool Shark

Hey, everyone! We went and saw Dad this morning and he's doing really well. He had physical therapy at 9:00 and we hung around for that. Today, he was playing pool (billiards), which the Physical Therapist said was good because it forces him to bend and balance. He's much better than you would think! Melenie asked him if there was a secret life as a hustler that we didn't know about, and he laughed and said, "Didn't you notice me sneaking out late at night?" =)

After his Physical Therapy, we met with his doctor and therapists for his weekly consultation. All of his therapists (Speech, Physical, and Occupational) all said that he's doing fantastic! They're all very impressed with his progress and the doctor says he's ready to come home... WOOHOO!! However, he still has this nasty bacteria in his belly that's causing some stomach trouble, and the infection causing the trouble is quite contagious, so they really want to get cleared up and under control before they send him home.

So, over the next few days, they're going to work to fight off the last of this infection, and they hope to send him home this weekend or the early parts of this week.

Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts and prayers, and we ask that you continue to pray that Pete's body will heal and that he can return home soon.

Many of you have said you'd like to leave a comment but can't figure out how to do so. It's really easy. Here's how you do it:

At the bottom of each update, you'll see a link that says how many comments are on that post... such as "1 comment" or "4 comments". All you need to do is click on that, and a new page will open up. On the right hand side, you'll see a blank area with the words, "Leave your comment" above it.

• Type in your thoughts and well-wishes
• Scroll down a little bit, and where it says, "Choose an identity" select "Other"
• Type in your name in the little "Name" box that appears
  
• Click on the square that says "Publish Your Comment"
  

That's it! We'll add your comment to the blog! (All comments have to be read by us first, and then we make them visible).

Solid Food

Sorry we haven't posted in a few days, but it's been a long and busy Memorial Day weekend.

We visited dad last Friday, and he was doing really well. The physical therapists are working really hard with him, and dad really seems to enjoy his workouts and getting his strength back. He had his Barium Swallow test that morning, and he passed it 100%! Everyone is very excited about that. Dad started eating solid food that evening. The feeding tube is still in place to ensure he is getting enough nutrition, but he has had quite a bit of solid food, including macaroni and cheese, peaches, cheesecake, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pears, zucchini, and cream of mushroom soup. So, he's eating better than most of us! :)

So far all the food he has eaten has agreed well and not caused any discomfort, nausea or vomiting, which is great progress. This Wednesday he has his second evaluation meeting with his doctors and therapists. We're hoping at that point we will get some idea of when he will have his feeding tube removed and be able to come home.

Evaluation

In the rehab building they have evaluation meetings every Wednesday morning with the doctors and therapists to evaluate how you are progressing, and make goals for you to work towards. Dad had his first one today, and it went really well. They said that dad was really showing progress in all that he was working at. He is able to walk some without any help, and has started working on climbing stairs (this was his request, he really wants to get to the cabin). He climbed up and down 12 steps both yesterday and today. Mom and I were able to spend some time with him and his physical therapist today watching and learning what we'll need to know when the time comes for him to be released. We'll be going back tomorrow or Friday to learn more about helping him around and to work with dad getting into and out of the car.

Speaking of being released, they told dad today that if things are still looking this good next Wednesday that he'll be released to go home after his morning evaluation meeting. He would then be placed on an outpatient therapy program. He has another Barium Swallow test on Friday to check to see how he is swallowing. He is still working with the speech therapist working on his swallowing, and he can be released even if he is still feeding through a tube.

Prayers are being answered, and dad is coming home soon. We thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Dad looks forward to hearing his latest blog comments every time we see him.

Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy

A couple of newsworthy items. Dad's chest tube was removed today. It was a drainage tube draining fluid from his chest cavity. This was to help promote healing and also to relieve pressure. Fluid buildup and pressure could have caused a collapsed lung. The only tube remaining is his feeding tube, and he'll have that until he is swallowing correctly.

The other news, dad is now in rehab to start his physical therapy. The rehab building is across the street from the hospital. In rehab he will be working with a physical therapist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist.

Good News

Well, dad seems to be recovering from the ICU Psychosis. He had been saying some things that we didn't really understand. Things about a war in Las Vegas, and Amy's boyfriend losing his job over it. He also introduced us to his nurse and said that we might remember her from a flight from London. He also got pretty upset with mom one day when he found out that a friend from church had brought her all the way to see him. After a good long talk with his nurse one night things were cleared up a bit for him. He was actually thinking that he was in a hospital in Las Vegas. That explains why he was upset with mom for having her friend drive her all the way to see him. It doesn't explain the war, Amy's boyfriend losing his job, or him thinking we met his nurse on a flight from London. But, ICU Psychosis can make you think and/or see some pretty strange things.

Dad has had a few tests the past couple of days. He had a Barium Swallow test yesterday and a Heart Stress test today. The heart stress test looked good to the doctors, but they are waiting for a scan to come back so they can be 100% sure that his heart is working properly. The Septic Shock put stress on all of his organs including his heart. If the scan comes back clear than he will be released from his heart doctor. The Barium Swallow test showed that he was actually aspirating every time he swallowed. The doctor said this was very common in patients that had been on a ventilator for so long. With some muscle atrophy and having all the tubes down his throat he has basically forgotten how to swallow. He will be working with a speech therapist to relearn how to properly swallow. Until then he will be receiving his food through a tube directly into his gut.

While mom and I were visiting dad today one of the surgeon's assistants came up to see dad. He explained a lot of the previously mentioned to us. He also wrote an order for dad to be moved from ICU to a regular hospital room. So, this afternoon dad will be moving from ICU down to the sixth floor to a regular room!

Dad has made a lot of progress these past couple of weeks. The doctors are going slower this time to make sure he doesn't have another setback. As soon as they feel ready to release him from the hospital he will be moving to the Physical Therapy building. The doctor in charge over there has already come to see dad, and he'll be working with dad's surgeon to see when dad can be moved over there. They will also have to determine whether dad can handle the PT level they require (about three hours per day).

Hello, Friends and Family!

I'm at work and only have a moment, but wanted to send out a quick thanks to all of you who have left thoughts for Dad. We went and saw him today, and he's looking so much better! More on that later...

Many of you have commented and said thanks to me for the blog updates, but I really must give credit where credit is due. The blog was Matt's idea, and the majority of the posts have been made by him. The only blog posts I have made are the ones with my name at the end of them (which I add only because of the personal feelings I share in them). For the record, if my name isn't at the end of the post, it was all Matt. He has been really great about making sure he's knowledgably informed so that he can give accurate and thorough updates. When Dad was hooked up to all the machines last week, Matt was taking notes on all the readings so that he could keep everyone updated with the very latest on Dad's progress.

So, thanks should really go to Matt for coming up with such a great way to keep everyone abreast of Dad's progress, and for the many updates he has posted.

Melenie

No News Is Good News

Dad is still making the slow and steady climb to full recovery. Mom has been visiting him during the day while Matt and I work, and we've been letting him sleep at night. Mom said during her visit today, Dad seemed more coherent and aware of his surroundings... he was making jokes and even asked her about their income tax returns, so he's thinking much more clearly. He was out of bed and in his his chair for a short time yesterday (Wednesday) and today he sat up in bed, but didn't get out of bed.

Our bishop, who is also a doctor, visited him briefly this morning and said he seemed to be doing well. The Bishop said Dad asked him, "How is Ellen?" and the bishop told him she seemed to be doing just fine. Dad said, "I worry about her." The fact that he's asking about mom and wondering about income tax returns tells me he's improving a little bit every day.

The nurse told me this morning that he's still working on clearing his lungs, but overall he's doing well and seems to be getting some decent rest the last couple of nights.

So, while we don't have a lot to report, no news is good news. The three of us will be visiting Dad in the morning, so we'll be able to post a more thorough update tomorrow evening.

Thanks to all of you who are leaving comments and keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers. It is appreciated more than we can express.

Melenie Ottosen

Slow and Steady Progress

Dad had a Physical Therapist in with him today exercising his legs, and he will be starting work with an Occupational Therapsit tomorrow. When Mom called the hospital this afternoon, the day nurse told her that Dad had asked, "Is Ellen here?" This was the first time Dad has asked for family, so she and Matt went to see him for awhile.

We went back tonight after the shift change, and he seemed a little more coherent. He's on Morphine for pain, but only a minimal amount. He is a bit disoriented; the nurse told us that he couldn't tell her who the president of the United States is, but he does recognize photos of family, and he responds to us when we talked to him tonight.

He seems to be having a bit of difficulty clearing his lungs, and so the doctors are talking about doing something to help with that. We'll know more in regards to that tomorrow.

He looks tired. Worn out. Frail. It's hard to see him like this, because he's always been such a go-getter, so active, never sitting still for very long. It must be difficult for him to be "trapped" in a hospital bed this way. I do hope he can be moved out of ICU soon, and then home to his family and the dogs and the things that bring him joy.

I spoke to the nurse tonight, and she said that what Dad is experiencing is called ICU Psychosis. The internet provides a ton of info on this condition; in short, ICU psychosis is a disorder in which patients in an intensive care unit experience anxiety, hear voices, see things that are not there, and become paranoid, severely disoriented in time and place, agitated, etc.

ICU Psychosis is quite common (one patient in every 3 who spends more than 5 days in an ICU experiences some form of the disorder). Basically a form of dilirium, it is often caused by a combination of different factors, including dehydration, hypoxia (low blood oxygen), infection, and drugs. Add to any of these causes the fact that you have machines beeping all around you 24/7, and nurses taking your vitals every hour, doing a full assessment every 4-8 hours, and turning you from your back onto your side and then from your side onto your back approximatley every 2 hours, and you're getting little to no sleep. That's bound to make even the most sane person a bit wacky after a week in ICU!!

The nurse was very sweet, and reassured me that even though Dad seems really weak and out-of-it, all of his "vitals" indicate that he's doing great. The fact that he's off the ventilator is HUGE progress! He's no longer on double sedatives, which makes him more alert, more aware of his surroundings, and more able to respond to us. The swelling in his arms and hands is completely gone, which is a big relief. She assured me that the loopiness we're seeing is "normal" and told me the best thing we can do is visit Dad during the day and let him rest at night.

So, overall, things are looking good, and Dad is progressing slowly and steadily. Again, thanks to all of you who have left comments and well-wishes. We take new comments with us each time we visit and read them to Dad, and he seems to appreciate them so much. The power of prayer is so strong, and the comfort that comes from the love of family and friends helps get us through each new day. We appreciate the love and support we have received from so many, and ask for your continued prayers on Dad's behalf.

Melenie

"Get me out of here!"

The good news, dad was taken off the ventilator and his Propofol sedation drip. They are also weening him from his Fentanyl sedation. These two sedations have caused some mental confusion for dad, and they want to get him on Morphine (only when he is in pain). They are hoping this will help control his pain and clear his head.

Dad looked good last night. His eyes were open, and he was able to talk with us. He knew who we were, and he was able to recognize his family from photos. All he really kept saying was, "Get me out of here!" He doesn't really understand what is going on with him, where he is, or why he is there. As the sedation works its way out of his system his mental state will improve.

Even though he has some mental confusion the fact that he is awake and responding is very good news.

He'll Carry You

Often when I am struggling with a trial in life, I find the music of LDS artist Hilary Weeks particularly comforting. The words to "He'll Carry You" form her Day of Praise CD really hit home for me the other night, and I was filled with a calm sense of peace and felt the love of the Savior surrounding me...

He knows your heart
He knows your pain
He knows the strength it took just to simply breathe today
He sees the tears that you cry
He knows your soul is aching to know why

He hears your prayers
Each humble word
When you said you couldn't face another day, He understood
He knows the path when you walk blind
Though you've felt alone He's never left your side

He knew there'd be moments when no earthly words could take away your sorrow
And no human eyes could see what you're going through
When you've taken your last step
And done all that you can do
He will lift your heavy load and carry you

He'll bring you peace
And leave you hope
And through the darkest nights He'll comfort you until you know
The sun will rise and each new day
You will have the strength to live again

And in the moments when no earthly words can take away your sorrow
And no human eyes can see what you're going through
When you've taken your last step
And done all that you can do
He will lift your heavy load and carry you

He hears you when you're crying in the night
He hears you when your soul longs to fight
'Till the morning will come
And the light of the dawn reassures

That in the moments when no earthly words can take away your sorrow
And no human eyes can see what you're going through
When you've taken your last step
And done all that you can do
He will lift your heavy load and carry you

When trials like the one we are enduring come along, it's often all too easy to take our frustrations out on the ones we love the most, the ones who need us most. But the truth of the gospel gently reminds us that families are forever, and the example of our Savior teaches us that the love of an eternal family is more powerful than the doubt and fear that encompasses us in dark and difficult times.

I feel the love of my Heavenly Father so strongly this week. I am comforted in knowing that He is aware of our heartaches and our struggles and He is by our side to guide us down the difficult paths in life. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and the peace it brings me, and I pray that our Heavenly Father will continue to watch over us and guide us daily as we stand united as a family, supported by each other and so many who love Dad and pray for him.

Melenie Ottosen

This was sent to us by Tahna Whitaker and it brings us much comfort:

Enduring Well

By Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Ensign, Apr 1997

Rather than simply passing through trials, we must allow trials to pass through us in ways that sanctify us.

Trying to comprehend the trials and meaning of this life without understanding Heavenly Father’s marvelously encompassing plan of salvation is like trying to understand a three-act play while seeing only the second act. Fortunately, our knowledge of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement helps us to endure our trials and to see purpose in suffering and to trust God for what we cannot comprehend.

Revealed truths reassure us that we are enclosed in divine empathy. As Enoch witnessed, we worship a God who wept over needless human misery and wickedness (see Moses 7:28–29, 33, 37). Jesus’ perfect empathy was ensured when, along with His Atonement for our sins, He took upon Himself our sicknesses, sorrows, griefs, and infirmities and came to know these “according to the flesh” (Alma 7:11–12). He did this in order that He might be filled with perfect, personal mercy and empathy and thereby know how to succor us in our infirmities. He thus fully comprehends human suffering. Truly Christ “descended below all things, in that He comprehended all things” (D&C 88:6).

Without the gospel fulness, many understandably have equivocal views not only about human suffering but also about Jesus Christ and the Resurrection. Without freshening and reinforcing modern prophets, the ancient prophets can easily become less read and less revered and can seem less relevant to daily life. Similarly, without the confirming and freshening of additional, attesting scriptures, the Bible is less read, less believed, and less convincing for some. Mankind desperately needs doctrinal nourishment!

Click here to read the entire article by Elder Neal A. Maxwell.

Positive Progress

We visited dad last night, and he is looking much better. The nurses who are caring for him had washed and combed his hair, and given him a shave. His color was very good, and the swelling in his hands and arms is almost completely gone. His fever was down low enough (about 100.5) that they were able to turn off the cooling blanket. In addition, the CT Scan results showed no fluid, but an x-ray still showed signs of pneumonia.

During the day yesterday, they lowered dad's sedation, and he woke up and responded well to the nurses. However, he is still quite uncomfortable from the ventilator tube in his throat. For this reason they are keeping him well sedated so that he can rest, but the sedation level was down from the day prior. All signs show that he has a very healthy body (physically fit and in great shape), and they hope to ween him from the ventilator and sedation over the next few days.

As we talked to dad and read the recent comments we have received on the blog, he responded to us for the first time since Wednesday. When Melenie asked if he could hear us he nodded his head, and when she asked him to squeeze her hand he did. He was also able to lift his arms up slightly. When we read the comments from friends and loved ones, he showed a lot of emotion and shed a few tears. We know that even though he is unable to express his gratitude right now, that he greatly appreciates all of the love and support that so many are giving. We know without a doubt that your thoughts and comments are aiding him in his recovery.

Lookin' Good

We just got back from visiting dad. He was looking much better. His color was good, and he was resting very peacefully. They upped his sedation some to keep him comfortable. When we go in tomorrow morning we'll give him a bit of a sedation vacation and see if we can get him to respond some. He has a really good nurse the next three nights, and we all feel that will help the situation too (we haven't been completely pleased with some of his past nurses).

They ran a couple of tests today. The CT Scan results won't be back until tomorrow. They also did an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG), and that showed nothing wrong with his heart.

Tests and More Tests

We just got back from visiting dad. He is still unresponsive, for the most part. Melenie did get a small hand squeeze from him when she read the comments that had been left in this Blog. We thank everyone for their love, concern, and prayers.

Yesterday they checked for gall stones, blood clots, and his gall bladder and liver function. They did a couple of ultrasounds to check for gall stones and blood clots. They didn't find any gall stones, and tests determined that his gall bladder is functioning properly. They did find some small blood clots in both arms in superficial veins. The doctors aren't too worried about this, but they have upped his blood thinner a bit. His liver is functioning properly, but they have noticed a small increase in his liver enzymes. The doctors said that this is pretty normal for someone in his post op condition. Today they are going to be doing a CT Scan (CAT Scan) to check his heart function.

It's hard to see dad in this state. One of the hardest things is determining how dad is feeling and what he needs from us, because he just can't tell us right now.

It was good to have Amy here for almost a week. She had to go back to Seattle this past Wednesday. With her Occupational Therapy skills she was able to help dad and show us how to read some of the monitors and understand some of the hospital lingo.

In addition to the comments to this Blog, we are going to be reading from the scriptures during our visits with dad. If any of you have a favorite scripture about hope, faith, or the healing power of the Atonement, please feel free to share them with us. Again, we thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and support.

From the Beginning

We have decided to start the blog to keep family and friends updated on Pete's progress, this also provides a forum for people to respond and post thoughts and comments. We will take and read these thoughts and comments to him in the hospital.

On Monday, March 19, dad was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus and stomach. This posed a unique problem for the doctors; they had two separate cancers with healthy tissue in between. After several tests they decided to remove his entire stomach and six inches of his esophagus.

A bit of Pete's medical history, dad had cancer back in 1970, and they radiated all of his abdomen. This caused damage to his cells, and the doctors were concerned that this radiated tissue would not heal properly. Another note, this new cancer developed where the two radiation treatments in 1970 overlapped, and did the most damage to his tissue (cells), causing significant scar tissue. It is possible that this is the cause of the recent cancer in his body.

The surgery took place on Friday, April 20, and it seemed to be a complete success. By Sunday, April 22, dad was walking around his room in ICU. He was asking for shoes, books, and reading glasses. On Monday, April 23, the doctors tested the surgical area for leaks and found none, they said everything was healing well. On Tuesday, April 24, dad was cleared to start drinking water and juice. He was also moved from ICU to a regular patient room. This raw, undigested, food caused severe gas pains. This caused severe discomfort. Late Thursday, April 26, dad vomited and aspirated ¹ the vomit. This caused ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) ² and septic shock ³, they then decided to move dad back to ICU.

1. Aspiration is the entry of secretions or foreign material into the trachea and lungs.
2. ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) is a life-threatening condition that causes lung swelling and fluid build up in the air sacs.
3. septic shock is a serious medical condition caused by decreased tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery as a result of infection and sepsis. It can cause multiple organ failure and death.

In ICU dad was placed back on a ventilator and heavy sedation. On Tuesday, May 1, dad was taken off of most of the sedation and was over the hump in regards to the septic shock. There was still fluid in his lungs, but his eyes were open and he was very responsive. On Wednesday, May 2, dad seemed to be slipping a little. He was still responsive, but his eyes remained closed. Today, May 3, dad was completely unresponsive to the nurse and our attempts to communicate with him.

The doctors have ordered many tests. The are worried about blood clots forming and his gall bladder and liver functions. They will be testing all of this today, and we'll keep you posted on these results and all of his progress.

We know dad has many people who are praying for him and sending well wishes his way. We are grateful for the outpouring of love that we have felt. Please feel free to comment with your thoughts and we will share them with dad during our visits with him. We know that he will feel your love and support and have faith that this will aid in his recovery.

We chose "Give Me This Mountain" as the name for dad's blog because of his love for hiking and the great outdoors.

Joshua 14:12
Now therefore give me this mountain.