Cody Updates by Mom

I honestly do not know which plan letter I am on but H is fitting as you will see below.

I made it to about Wednesday this last week when I couldn’t pretend anymore that the esophagus wasn’t getting smaller.  My ability to eat things I was able to before was changing daily and I was moving toward a soft food diet really quick.  Unfortunately, as I really did try to do what was asked by forcing food through that area, I believe that I waited too long.  I am now in a situation of needing something done sooner than later and the doctors are having to do a lot of extra work to get me in for my next stage.  I feel bad that I seem to not get out of the “problem child” mode and just be the patient that is doing well.  Pizza, chicken, burgers and other more dense food is now off the menu.  I am more on the pasta, oatmeal, mashed taters and such.  I let them know when I called that I probably had a week left before I was on a strictly liquid diet.  Hey, at least beer is still on the menu.  🙂

I talked with Dr. Mirza who is one of Dr. Kendrick’s residents.  I have met him many times and actually just saw him the Friday that I had my follow up from my recent hospital stay.  Dr. Mirza has been my main contact with this last ordeal.  He called me on Thursday and let me know that Dr. Kendrick was trying to get me into see a very specific endoscopic doctor.  He wants this doctor to look at my entire situation and determine what the next step should be.  Apparently there is a significant amount of trust that Dr. Kendrick has with this doctor.  The downside of this is that he is one of the best and getting into see one of the best is very difficult.  They have scheduled me to see him as an outpatient (that is an important piece of this story) but the first available slot is June 3rd.  Obviously this is not going to work.  That is four weeks out and I have about a week left before we have a serious issue.  Dr. Mirza assured me that they were working on it and he would call me later that day.

Thursday evening he called and they had a partial plan.  Since getting in to see this specific doctor was difficult as an outpatient they were asking what I felt about moving to an inpatient status for a day or so and then I would see him within a day or so.  I agreed let him know that I would be willing to do this if it meant being able to get my situation resolved.  Dr. Mirza asked if I would be fine with him just calling and saying to come down to St. Mary’s to be admitted as a hospital patient.  We agreed to this and he said that he would call Friday after talking more with Dr. Kendrick.

Friday morning I brought my overnight bag just in case they called while we were at work and needed me down on Friday.  They did not.

Friday evening Dr. Mirza called and we now have our plan.  I am to be down at St. Mary’s prior to 2p.m. on Monday.  They want me to be admitted to the hospital before they are done in the OR to make sure all is set. This means that we will be able to work for part of the morning before heading down to Rochester.  Once admitted I will be staying Monday evening in the hospital with the intent that I will be able to have my endoscopy with whatever plan they pick on Tuesday.  There is a chance that I will have to wait until Wednesday but hopefully that will be all.  I am quickly running out of vacation time and have days off planned for the band over summer that I am not wanting to miss. I am bringing a laptop so I can work while I am waiting for my scope to be done.  This will also keep me entertained as I will be fairly bored sitting there with basically nothing wrong other than this stupid stricture.

I am hopeful that the new doctor will have some great idea that will work but I am also realistic in knowing that I am likely not done yet.  Day to day it gets harder for me to keep up the positive attitude.  It is a constant barrage of crap that we are having to deal with.  Not only with just my issues but other stuff as well.  I am not down or beaten just weary of having to be strong for so long.  I keep reminding myself that I am Iron Man and I will prevail.  Next year I am going to take a real vacation where I am not in the hospital or working or playing in the band.  Just sitting somewhere with just us, no technology, no responsibilities and all just simple relaxation!!

Caring Bridge Comments

Love and prayers..from mom|May 9, 2015 8:58pm
You are so very strong my dear and you have so much on your plate. Both you and Jim do at this time. You will win this battle and then you be back to some sort of normal. I love you and wish there was something I could do to help you both. Praying for you and sending my love.