Cody Updates by Mom

Hello everyone, Jim here writing an update for Melanie.  On Friday we came down to Mayo so they could place a stent in the hope that this would help keep the esophagus open and eliminate the need for more dilations.  They did place the stent but it was evident early on that she was having difficulty with it.  She spent the rest of the morning and most of Friday afternoon in the recovery room while they tried to get the pain and nausea under control.  By 4:00PM it was clear she was not getting any better so they decided to admit her to the hospital.  They were hoping to get the nausea and pain under control and that she could go home this weekend.

It’s now Sunday at 4:00 PM and things are not any better, in fact they may be a bit worse.  They have been trying numerous meds for the pain and nausea with nothing really working.  It sounds like if things don’t improve pretty quickly they will be removing the stent, possibly tomorrow morning.

For those of you that may be wondering what a stent is and why it’s causing a problem for Melanie I would like to give you my interpretation of this.  OK, time for a standard Melanie disclaimer notice:  If you are someone who is easily grossed out, you may want to skip the rest of this paragraph.  OK, take a straw, just a standard soda straw like you would find at a Dairy Queen. Cut it off so it’s about 2 ½ inches long.  Now swallow it….. Come on choke it down, keep swallowing until it’s all the way down to about the bottom of your esophagus.  Now, leave it there, that’s where it’s going to stay for a few weeks.  I don’t about you, but I can tell you what my body would try to do with this “thing” that’s way down in my throat.  My body is going to try to throw it back up.  And that is essentially what is happening with Mel. Her body is basically rejecting this “thing” and causing considerable nausea and pain.

Right now Mel and I are both thinking that taking the stent out is probably best.  At least then she should be able to get some fluids and hopefully food in to her system.  One of the doctors was in to see her a few minutes ago and told us that he thinks that is what will happen.  If they do take it out, we are not sure what the plan will be moving forward.  We will just have to wait and see what the doctors say.

I will try to provide an update once we know a little bit more.

As always we greatly appreciate everyone’s love and support.

Jim

Caring Bridge Comments

Joan Axdal, Prayer Chain, All Saints Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove|Apr 20, 2015 6:57pm
Mel and Jim, We are praying for a good outcome.