At the 7 a.m. call I learned Jim had a not-so fun night. His blood pressure was really high and pulse was racing. He had an EKG. He said he has Afib as a result of the surgery - the doctors apparently told him it was common with this type of surgery and would go away. He is on medicine right now, but won't be lifelong, like I am.
At 10 a.m., he had a test with dye contrast. Results indicated things were good.
Most of the day was spent napping - even he and I managed a one-hour cuddle nap, then he took a walk down to the exit sign and back. His longtime friend, Joel Russell, returned for another visit and they reminisced more about HLG Days. Jeremy Hudson, one of the chaplains here, also came up with Joel to visit. Jeremy was a chaplain at St. Luke's Hospice when Jim was a hospice aide there.
The nutrition for the tube feedings will be delivered at our home by UnityPoint Home Medical Saturday afternoon.
An x-ray of the stomach is scheduled Friday morning. If results are good there as well, tube feedings will commence Friday afternoon.
The goal is still to go home Sunday afternoon and if that indeed happens, someone from UnityPoint Home Health will meet us at home to bring the feeding pump and instructions.
The Post-Esophagectomy Surgery Eating Protocol has changed a few times. The one below appears to be the one we're going to follow.
Post-Op Day 15-17 (May 27-29)
In addition to continuous J-tube feedings, he starts with clear liquids - grape juice first, then clear liquids (5-6 small meals per day).
-- What to watch for:
profuse or prolonged coughing
neck drainage
Post-Op Day 18-20 (May 30-June 1)
In addition to continuous J-tube feedings, start full liquids (5-6 small meals per day).
Post-Op Day 21-22 (June 2-3)
In addition to continuous J-tube feedings, start soft mushy diet (5-6 small meals per day - can be as small as 3-4 Tablespoons)
-- What to watch for:
feeling full easily
decrease portions if needed
Post-Op Day 23-25 (June 4-6)
Continue soft mushy diet, cycle J-tube feedings from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., flush and after, disconnect in the morning. May take medications orally.
Post-Op Day 26 until follow-up clinic visit (June 7 - )
Continue soft mushy diet, stop J-tube feedings, flush J-tube 3 to 4 times per day
