Round 2

Good news bad news for Jim's scan. The good news (although this isn't from his oncologist and might be premature) is that Jim's lung lesions are stable. The bad news is that he has another abscess in/on his colon. Which means, he has to go in on Friday to get a drain put in. Awesome. 

So here's how this all went down: Jim went in yesterday for his scan. He was on his way home and got a call from his surgeon who had looked at the scan and saw the abscess. She immediately called him and sent him to Kroger to get more antibiotics. I happened to call Jim and could tell that something was up. He told me the news and that he would get a call to set up the procedure to deal with it this week. Of course he couldn't answer any of my questions because he's Jim and doesn't fucking ask questions! So annoying. Needless to say I was feeling a bit stressed because A) I have an IEP today and tomorrow and though they're virtual meetings, it's still a hassle B) Jim's Jim and can't answer any of my fucking questions and C) I'm worried. 

So Jim calls me a bit later to tell me that the procedure is set for Friday which was a bit of good news since it's an in-service day and I won't have to make sub plans. But of course in talking to him, I start asking questions and he again, can't answer a damn thing. In fact, what he was telling me was even more confusing. Ugh! 

I get home from work and Jim looks like shit. But I think this has more to do with the contrast they give him for the scan but it makes me feel bad because I'm about to drill him with questions that he won't be able to answer. Why does he have an abscess in the spot when the diseased area was supposed to be removed? Is this an inpatient or out patient procedure (might he get admitted)? Is he getting the abscess drained or are they putting in a drain (Jim was confused)? Is this something that could recur? The doctor told Jim she saw air bubbles...what does that mean? What are his restrictions? None of these basic questions were able to be answered by Jim. Which pissed me off because I'm like, "Dude! This is your body! You have to ask questions and know what to expect...if not for you then for me!" I mean, I have court on Monday. What if he's still in the hospital then!? 

So I go do my thing and I'm on a bike ride and Jim texts to say he's called Dr. Ertel and asked the office to have her call me. Which she does while we're finishing dinner last night. And here's the situation: 

• The abscess, she thinks, is from where the drain was put in after his surgery. This was the large abscess that gave her such fits. She believes that the drain was taken out prematurely and he should have kept it in. 
• They are putting in a drain to take care of the fluid that's left. 
• Once it's drained and allowed to heal, she doesn't think it will return. 
• The air bubbles concern her because normally it would indicate a possible leak where the reattached bowel was made for the resection but he drank all the contrast and none of it leaked so she thinks it stems from the abscess. Plus, he doesn't really have any symptoms of a leak. We'll see. 
• He shouldn't have to stay overnight at the hospital but if he did, it would be for a 24 hour watch depending on how he handled the procedure (remember last time he had to stay overnight because he got a small fever). 
• This should NOT affect his return to work in a week or so nor should it extend his restrictions.

I also asked her about getting Jim the flu shot and booster Covid vaccine since I was getting ready to schedule him but she said to put it off for a couple weeks. She said she'd ask the question since he's a weird case being on chemo meds and having this bowel issue. 

And so it continues. I wish so badly that this was behind us. I feel bad for Jim because I'm not a great nurse and am a bit rough on the edges when it comes to getting these things figured out and I don't want to make him feel bad but he needs to know what's going on. I told him, "Just say to yourself, what would Muir demand to know?" I guess if it were that easy, he'd ask those questions though. 

Well, I'd best get a move on. Happy Wednesday! Later!