Day 51

Mike had a follow up appointment with the surgeon yesterday.  She said he's still on the right road to recovery.  He's been meeting with the physical and occupational therapists, as well as doing exercises on his own.  Thank you for continuing to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Day 43

Mike had a good follow-up appointment with the surgeon today.  She said he is doing well and on the right road. 

His drain tube was taken out (he's so happy about this).  There's a small infection around the drain site, but he's on antibiotics for three days to clear that up.

He has some fluid accumulating through his abdominen, but it is different than the fluid that accumulated near the liver which put him back in the hospital.  The surgeon said this fluid accumulation is normal and part of trying to get everything in his system back in balance.  Mike is going back in for an ultrasound this afternoon and a procedure that will drain the abdominal fluid.  (It's not uncommon for liver surgery patients to need to have 2-3 of these procedures during their recovery).  The ultrasound will also check the flow and pressure in the liver.

Mike has been having some speech issues, but those appear to be clearing up as well.  He has another follow-up appointment scheduled for next Friday, but if he feels well, continues to eat well, and has good physical therapy sessions, he has the liberty to cancel that appointment.

This is very good news after a stressful month, so we are all thankful!  Thank you for keeping him and our family in your thoughts and prayers!

Day 42

Six-weeks post-surgery and finally we have an update on the physical therapy situation.  A physical therapist went to the house yesterday to access Mike's strength. The therapist will be coming to the house 2-3 times a week to help build his strength back up.  Mike's personal goal is to get as much strength back as possible by September 1.  When the physical therapist is not around, Mike has exercises he's supposed to work on 2-3 times per day.

Day 39 Post-Surgery

No updates yet on in-home or out-patient physical therapy.  Mike is still pretty weak, but he's able to eat three meals a day.  Thank you for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Back Home

Mike has been back home since Tuesday afternoon.  He's hanging in there.  We are still waiting to hear how the physical therapy is going to be arranged.  Mike has been good about getting up on his own initiative and walking around the house, sitting up, etc.  Many thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Hospital Day Eight

Mike will be discharged from the hospital today.  Unfortunately, Anthem did not approve an inpatient physical therapy rehab program.  Someone is trying to arrange an outpatient physical therapist to come to the house, but that hasn't been worked out yet.  Fingers crossed.

Hospital Day Seven

Mike is still in the hospital.  We are waiting to find out if his insurance has approved a 7-14 day in-patient rehab program.  If so, he might get transferred today.  If not, he might get discharged home for an out-patient program.  We would all prefer an in-patient program.  Mike is all for it if it will help him get better faster.  It's all still up in the air right now.