Attempt At Normalcy

As close as I can, I'm trying to reestablish my routine. This means I'm up and at 'em early (today was 5:30) feeding the dogs, drinking coffee and then doing a yoga routine. I've completed that and after I do this, I'll get on the elliptical and finally walk the dogs before I shower and head down to the hospital. I need to be adamant about this so that I don't fall into bad habits. Just because Jim's in the hospital doesn't mean I stop doing the things that need doing. 

I've looked at Jim's chart but there isn't really anything new to report this morning. Yesterday Jim's a fib was giving him fits. They'd had it under control but then they gave him lasix again (I don't know why) and that depleted his fluids, magnesium and potassium so that his a fib reared up again. The did an ECG last night with the interpretation being that he has a first-degree heart block. This is the least serious of the "heart blocks" and doesn't necessarily need treatment. Essentially, the heart's wiring is slow to send signals but still, it sends signals successfully. This isn't normal but not abnormal for what Jim's gone through. It's a little confusing because his heart beat has been fast and the literature I read says that 1st degree causes a slower heart rate. Who knows? This is just me trying to riddle out all the shit I'm reading. 

Other than that yesterday, Jim was doing pretty well. He doesn't have a fever. The nurse said she didn't see any air leakage with his chest tube and she was thinking it could come out today. She also said that once that happens, things will happen quickly. For example, he'll probably get his catheter out and he'll be much more mobile. He'll have to keep his central line in (the IV in his neck) until he leaves but really that doesn't bother him. IMO, it's less a hassle than when you have an IV in your hand or arm. 

Jim's spirits were good yesterday and Trip and Susan's visit certainly gave him a boost. They also brought him a little Christmas tree with colored lights and he really liked that. As did his nurse. 

I face timed with Jim last night and he got to see the pups. The only thing he asked me to bring him today was some Powerade. I can do that! I'll take my lunch today rather than eat shit in the cafeteria or take out. I made some tuna salad last night and I'm pretty excited about it. 

For dinner last night, I made taco meat (chicken) and had a taco salad which made a ton of leftover so I'll probably have that for dinner tonight. 

Reading Jim's chart from the new nurse this morning. Here's what it says: 

• Rare to frequent/bigeminy PVCs (extra electrical impulses with your heart rhythm; after a routine beat, you have a beat that come too early. Common but not harmful if in good health. People with heart issues may need to take medicine to control.
• BP is good
• Pulse Ox is god
• Tolerable pain
• He still hasn't pooped (sorry TMI)
• Bruising on his incision 
• Walked 2 times during overnight nurses shift

And that's all I've got for now. I'll update more later if there's anything significant. Fingers crossed Jimmy gets his CT out. Happy Monday! Later!