Guess Where We Are??????

It has been a L-O-N-G day. It started at 2 a.m. when Carroll told me he needed to go to the hospital. He called EMS and was transported to Summerville Medical Center (SMC) with me following in the car.

In the emergency room, Dr. Greaves told us it might be congestive heart failure, but he later ruled that out. After some tests and phone calls with Carroll's primary physician, Dr. Bolster, it was decided that Carroll should be transported to MUSC's Critical Care Unit. By this time, it was about 4 a.m., I think. It really scared the fool out of me when I was asked if I knew - just in case anything went wrong - if Carroll wanted to be kept alive by a ventilator! Well, I knew what he and I have talked about, but I didn't want to be the only one to make that decision, nor should I have been. I called Carroll's son and daughter-in-law -- Vic and Edie. Soon, they and their daughter, Courtney, were at SMC also.

We all left SMC around 5:30-ish a.m., with Carroll being transported by the Critical Care ambulance. Vic rode in the front.

I'm not saying any of us drive fast, but Edie, Courtney and I all beat the ambulance to MUSC.

Because Carroll was put in CCU, we had a long, anxious wait before we could see him. Around 8:30 or so, we got to take turns seeing him. By that time, Carroll's grandson, Jeffrey, was also there.

The CCU unit is what we just left a few days ago following his valvoplasty.

It was later in the morning when we learned that Carroll has a pulmonary embolism, or blood clot in his lungs. Because of several other problems, surgery was not an option. He was put on blood thinner to prevent the clot from getting bigger and with the hopes that it will dissolve.

At SMC, Carroll had a couple of things happen that he couldn't stand. For example, an ABG test was done. This is where they test the arterial blood gases or something like that. I can't remember exactly but I've had it done once and I don't ever, ever, ever want to have it done again. It is the most painful thing I know of. I'd rather have 20 children at one time than to have that done again. It's awful. He hated it -- and they had already given him morphine when he had this done.

He was also catheterized. I don't have to tell you whether or not he liked that!

He had a CAT scan at SMC and a chest x-ray at MUSC. He was hooked up to all kinds of tubes and machinery.

After hearing from the doctors, including Drs. Powers, Townsend, Schreiner and Jenkins, I made a quick trip back to Summerville for a shower and to pack clothes for several days and nights at the hospital.

When I returned, I walked in with Pastor Briner from our church, St. Luke's. We had a nice chat while waiting for about 20 minutes to get to see Carroll.

Not long after she left, Carroll had more visitors, limited to two at a time in CCU: Lisa, Susan, Joanne, Kelly, Pam and Chelsey.

Dr. Steinberg came by in the afternoon, as did Dr. Townsend and Dr. Schreiner. They have all conferred with each other and with the oncologists to see what treatment is next.

Surprisingly, one of them told me they are considering letting Carroll go home tomorrow (Wednesday,) That was another shock!!!! The doc said they feel that Carroll will improve within 12 - 24 hours and then stabilize. They will likely keep him on blood thinner for several weeks and have PT at home.

Isn't it wonderful that he might be able to come home so quickly? The biggest problem will be making sure that he doesn't get worn out by phone calls and/or visitors. He will need lots of rest.

He has also suffered a minor vision problem and the cause has not yet been determined. It may be something that resolves on its own.

It's now 9 p.m. They said they would probably give Carroll Benadryl to help him sleep. They must have, because he fell asleep during the Braves game!!!

(PS - If you see a few typos in this post, I'm surprised that there are only a few! I'm only half-awake.)

Update: Monday mid-afternoon

Carroll said he is weaker this afternoon than he was yesterday. He asked for a wheelchair. He says he cannot walk to the bathroom or to the bedroom. The last few walks have been with him holding onto me. Unfortunately, the hall is not quite wide enough for him and for my hips at the same time, but we're getting there. I called Dr. Bolster and just received a call back that he is ordering a wheelchair.

Because of the vision problem in his left eye, Carroll says he cannot work the crosswords or read much of the newspaper; he gets frustrated trying to watch TV.

Dr. Steinberg said to let Carroll eat whatever he wants to eat. He had pound cake and milk for breakfast (his request) and half a banana for lunch. I'll probably try to get him to eat something else after he wakes up and has his breathing treatment.

He has had a hard time sleeping. His coughing wakes him up; trying to catch his breath wakes him up; the ringing phone wakes him up (I'm trying to figure out how to turn the ringer off or way, way down.)

There have been 12 calls from people today who want to know how he is. Loads of people care a lot about him, but I just cannot give complete information when he is listening. His vision might have been affected somewhat, but his hearing hasn't been. If I give one-word answers or vague answers, he asks about the conversation when I hang up. Hope y'all understand. That's another reason for trying to keep everyone informed by blog instead of phone.

The good news is Carroll's attitude. Even though he said he is weaker, he tells me he is going to get better and he tells me things he is going to do when he gets better.

Turn About

Well, there was a bit of a turnabout today. I had to have an injection in my back this morning, so Carroll went with me. The doctor won't release a patient who does not have a "designated driver" following the sedation and procedure.

The Dawg is okay driving. It's the walking that's a problem for him. I'm hoping we hear something soon from Drs. Handshoe and Bolster.

Day 8 in the Hospital Part 2

When I got to the hospital today, The Dawg was out of his hospital "dress" and in his regular clothes. No sheets on the bed and he was packed up. He was ready to go home. Dr. Bolster told him early this morning that he might be able to go home today, but that it would be up to Dr. Handshoe.


Here he is with Stephanie.

If you look closely in the above picture, you'll see a container of boiled peanuts next to The Dawg. His daughter-in-law, Edie, made them and brought them to him today. She also sent some on Sunday. Here's Edie:


Son, Vic, looks on as Stephanie checks Carroll, probably wiring him up to machine he took off when he got dressed.

Well, he's not going home today. More tests Friday morning; however, Dr. Handshoe has already said Carroll can go home Friday afternoon.

Here is Dr. Handshoe giving him the news:

He'll have fluid drawn off his lungs tomorrow to testing to determine what kind of fluid it is and what's causing it. There will also be biopsies.

Cancer has not been ruled out but Dr. Handshoe said the spot on the upper right lung didn't look like cancer, although, as he mentioned, cancer can look different some times. There's also a possibility of "bird fancier's lung disease." There are probably other possibilities as well. We should know more after tomorrow's tests are read, which probably won't be until Tuesday since Monday is a holiday.

Everybody at Summerville Medical Center has been wonderful, but The Dawg still wants to go home.

Here's another one of the nice people. She's Jenny, and she shares Carroll's last name. She's a Smith.

Thank goodness, the Braves are playing tonight on a channel Carroll can get in the hospital room.

Day 8 in the Hospital

There's a chance that The Dawg will be able to go home today!!! It's not definite, though. Dr. Bolster told him this morning the infection is not totally cleared but that he would let him go home IF Dr. Handshoe releases him as well. Even if he goes home, he will return on Friday for the bronchoscopy, based on yesterday's discussion.

We'll see.

Day 7 in the Hospital Part 2

Krissy, Jackie, Connie, Lauren and Tiffany

Krissy, Jackie, Connie, Lauren, Tiffany, Jennifer and George were among those caring for and helping The Dawg today. Dr. Bolster was back today; Dr. Handshoe came in and ordered the CAT scan.

Carroll is feeling so much better tonight. The Braves won!

After a breathing treatment, George said Carroll sounded much improved but he could still hear some wheezing.

There have been loads of calls and e-mails wishing Carroll well. Thanks so much for all of them. Again, feel free to leave your comments below any of these posts.