Yes....I know I've been missing in action.

Unfortunately, things haven't really improved all that much with Ray and it's really getting me down.  We saw the surgeon last Tuesday.  He did get rid of the wound vac, because of the horrible rash Ray developed around the incision site. (that is now just about cleared with the plastic dressing gone) So we're doing normal saline wet to dry dressings and the wound area is slowly closing.  But that isn't the problem.........

The problem is that poor Ray can barely eat a meal without visiting the bathroom within 20 minutes.....everything continues to go straight through him.  And you probably know, that without food being absorbed, that means no nutrients, no vitamins, no energy........period.  And that's what's been happening.  NO energy whatsoever!

So the dr. ordered blood work, which was done by the home health nurse last Wed. and the results on Thursday showed everything was normal.  Well, yeah, that's great, EXCEPT, then what is the problem?

He also ordered a stool specimen for C-Diff.........we're hoping to have those results tomorrow or Tuesday. If that comes back negative, then I don't know what to say......we've got a major problem. 

When we saw him on Tues. I asked how long before normal bowel function was supposed to return after this type of surgery.....a right hemicolectomy.  And he said, "Oh, a week or two."  When we explained what was going on......4 and 5 times a day.......he ordered the blood work and stool specimen and got very, very, quiet.

And I'll tell ya.......it's getting mighty discouraging.  Damn mighty discouraging!  It will be 6 weeks this Friday that Ray had the surgery.  That's a long time not to be retaining any nutrients, etc. (He's lost 24 pounds since the week before his surgery)

So yes, I'm upset.  I'm angry, frustrated, and a few other adjectives.

Brian came up again last week for a few days and once again, was a big help and a nice relief for both Ray and me, with his sense of humor and upbeat attitude.

I didn't mean to come here and vent......but figured I'd let everyone know where I've been and what's going on.  I"ve had no desire to do my blog or visit blogs and I'm sorry for that.

Maybe one of these days things will turn around...........and we'll have our normal life back again.

Till then.....all of you take care.  And not wanting to end on a negative note........here's two of the critters that always bring a smile to our face.........Brie and Ralph.