Post- Surgery Updates

Day 7 -

The test results were good. No leaks. He slowly started eating soft foods and drinking water. Yay! The doctor said he may come home either Thursday or Friday. We can't wait.

Day 6 -


Travis continues to improve everyday. He had a tube coming out of his nose that really bothered him, and today the doctor removed it. Right now, he has a chest tube that drains chest fluid and one IV that administers his pain medicines, potassium and iron. And he also has a J-tube which delivers his nutrients.


Tomorrow, he has the big test to see if there are any leaks and to see if he can swallow. If the test is good, he can start eating and drinking.

Travis is getting antsy being in the hospital - no final decision has been made on when he will get released.



Here is a picture of the chapel in the hospital. It's a beautiful chapel with stained glass windows.


Day 4 -

Last night Travis didn't sleep well, the bed and him having to sleep on his back is very uncomfortable for him.

I took the kids up to the hospital to see him. I had actually taken a picture of him yesterday and showed it to them prior, I wanted them to be prepared for all the tubes. Trav hasn't even seen himself, yet.

His doctor and nurse say he is doing great. He is following their orders and doing well with the coughing. He also walked more often and farther.

Correction Notice - Apparently, I typed a wrong word yesterday on "Trav' To Do List". I'm sorry if you missed it, it was pretty damn funny. I told Angie that I am blaming it on my lack of sleep and stress. I think my mistake was called a Freudian slip - but what do I know, I never took psychology. I told Travis about it - he just rolled his eyes, I bet he is thinking that this blog isn't such a great idea.

Day 3 -

Really good day for Trav. They decreased his status from critical care to intermediate care. He is still in ICU, but he they don't take as many tests as often, and he is not one-on-one with the nurses. (Bye-Bye Ryan!)

I talked to his S surgeon he was able to keep 2/3 of Trav's stomach. Very nice! He started receiving small feedings through his J tube. The tube is located on his left side.

He walked twice today, once to the door (as long as the oxygen could go) and then once without oxygen half-way around the nurses station. He did great and he said it felt great.

They removed one IV - one down, hmmm about 10 to go. (Not exaggerating.) He spent alot of his time today untangling the cords around him.

Pain has also leveled off. Since the surgery he was really clicking those 'patient control' buttons - he had one for each hand. But he was having a hard time coughing (he needs to cough often, so pneumonia doesn't set in). He thought maybe he was overdoing it a little. He told Ryan - "Hey, I stopped using the buttons - I think I'm over medicating - it was fun while it lasted, but I gotta get down to business to get outta here."

The families of Valerie, Angie and Lyndee sent these balloons. The card read, Trav's to Do List:
- Watch 'Price is Right'
- Channel surf
- Flatulate
- Belch
- Adjust gown so I can flash the nurse
- Watch a movie
- Sleep
- Remember that I am loved
- Watch 'Price is Right'
- Repeat previous days list


I asked him, "Do you care that I am doing a blog and whatever you say may be published?" He said, "I'm OK with it as long as you don't tell everyone about my bowel movements." Oh, alright! Man, he is no fun. BTW, no BM's, yet. But I'll let everyone know as soon as it happens. Just kiddin'.

Day 2 -

Last night went good for Trav. Keith (Travis' dad) stayed the night to keep an eye on him. He had a little bit of a low blood pressure and fever, but it wasn't anything to worry about and was to be expected after the surgery.

Travis had two surgeons one for the stomach and one for the esophagus. His E surgeon said that he removed 6 inches of his esophagus. The S surgeon left a good portion of his stomach, like he said, "He won't be eating a big steak dinner anytime soon, but I left enough where he can have a nice meal." Plus your stomach stretches with time.

His main issues were pain control and the breathing exercises. He has to breathe into an incentive spirometer 10 times per hour. As Trav calls it, "It's his ticket outta here." It basically keeps you from getting pneumonia.

He was alert enough to tell the nurse that she needed to come back after the "Price is Right" is over to sit him up in the chair. She just laughed and said "OK, I have another patient to attend to anyway." Here is his nurse, Ryan. Looking at her now, I am re-thinking leaving him there alone with her! Just kiddin'. She is super cute and a very good nurse.
Keep those prayers comin'!