Not sure who came up with the old adage 'no news is good news,' but it's not really true in this case. I haven't been home much this week to update. So, we'll get you all caught up now...
To sum it up...Dad's still stuck at the same spot. Eating ice chips with the NG tube. The stomach has not kicked in and decided to work yet and pump the bile and fluid to his intestine. The surgeon is confident this will happen and he keeps saying the stomach only knows how to do 1 thing - it will remember. But, while it's inflamed after surgery it doesn't always want to pump and may take some time. How long you ask??? Up to 2 weeks.
So, they did a contrast test today and verified that the surgery did work and the stomach is open to the intestine so now we just have to wait for his stomach to decide to do its job. It's been 4 days since surgery, so yes, it could be up to another 10 days before it kicks in. Until it kicks in....ice chips only and NG tube. UGH!!
Mom and Dad are definitely hoping for some good news at the hospital. Got any good news? Add it to the comment spot below. We'll live vicariously through all of you for awhile...I'll go first...the biggest news in our house this week is I purchased a Swiffer vacuum for Tyler (the 8-year old) who now says I'm the greatest Mom in the world and he is vacuuming my floors everyday. The good news is: I am released from vacuuming duty and apparently, Denny and I are raising a sucker!!
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Hello, Henry, Elaine and Family,
ReplyDeleteWe've been keeping up with my old friend's progress daily. Henry, you are as usual "tough as nails" and won't take a backseat to anything. Hang in there, old friend, you always do good.
Our thoughts and prayers are always with you.
Ed and Bev
I just wrote the BEST comment but I got disconnected and now I know this will not be as charming. We are in Michigan with tenuous connections to the web. To summarize my witty and delightful remarks: We are enjoying a great time but our thoughts and prayers are with you all.-all the time! I need Elaine's cell #!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Connie and John B.
Mr. Herbst was our soccer coach back in the day. I remember playing soccer in the basement at their house in Eureka. It was usually 2 v 2 - Sue and me against Kathy and Mr. Herbst.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Herbst was so cool because she never yelled at us even though we came close to breaking something every single time. LOL.
Tell your dad I said hello! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
Chris Rufkahr
After reading Kathy’s posting, I was thinking, why not install one of those outstanding J. Henry Foster/Humphrey values (TBD) with a schematic design, from the one and only Henry Herbst! Let’s make sure we follow the proper patent documentation for a patent application later on down the ROAD!!
ReplyDeleteWhen we rise in the morning and lie down at night our thoughts and prayers are for a speedy recovery, that the Lord will grant you patience to endure the NG tube, and strength for the day.
When we are weak, HE is STRONG! Rest in His Strength my brother and friend,
Dennis and Rosemary
The sad thing is I had to show my parents how to use this blog spot...Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteMeredith Wiggers Heintz
An update from the Suellentrops...Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Elaine arrived Tuesday 8/28. We picked them up from the Airport and went to Sears to buy a new kitchen Frig for the new/old house. Wednesday I had to go to Richmond to pickup our macbook (the harddrive crashed, needed to be replaced but the data couldn't be recovered, so I was also picking up 2 external harddrives to backup data to avoid this situation in the future). I also bought Greg an iPhone. His new number 314-315-0607. It doesn't work well here in VA (AT&T doesn't have good service in this area). So use his VA mobile until 8/7. Thursday we were supposed to go to Colonial Williamsburg after my 1/2 hour install of a cargo carrier on the top of the odyssey. The install took 2 1/2 hours, Payton's recheck with the orthopedic (she fractured the growth plate in her right ankle at cheer about 4 weeks ago) at 12:45 took 1 1/2, so by 2:15 we decided to just have lunch in New Town and walk around a little bit and shop. We went to Colonial Williamsburg yesterday. We toured the Governor's Palace, visited the bricklayer (where we marched through the clay pits to help prepare the clay for brick making, Grandma participated...the kids were certain she was going to fall in the mud, of course that's why they wanted her to do it....she didn't. Today we are packing the kids and all photos, photo albums, photo cds & dvds for the departure at 5 am tomorrow morning. Greg & I will be here until all household goods are loaded Thursday. We'll pick the dogs up from the kennel & head to St. Louis whatever time they finish. We'll be in St. Louis 8/7. Looking forward to you all of us being back in St. Louis!!
ReplyDeleteMessage from Rosie Wuennenberg to Kathy and Elaine
ReplyDeleteI just heard about your dad's (husbands) surgery. I will keep your entire family in my prayers. I know who close your family is so I know you will help each other through this tough time. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Rosie Wuennenberg
Hi Kathy
ReplyDeleteSorry to here about Hanks surgury and ongoing hospital stay. I know he is a tough person and I am sure his patience is being tested laying up in hospital.
Please let your dad know that his friends in Australia are all sending their best wishes to him and that he and Elaine are in our prayers.
I just got this blog link from Hanks friend Dave Ohlendorf and have had previously had updates on his progress from Jim Thole and Joe Germino.
Thank you for putting the posts up online. You are doing a great job with the updates.
Please also tell Hank that I have sent Jim Thole the photos they required for the 75th project.
Keith Bennett, Adam Murphy and Shirley Murphy.
I hope this works this time - i have been trying to send a comment for a couple weeks now --
ReplyDeletebeen getting updates from sharon before this but love to read Kathy's post -- they are great but i wish she would have some better news sometimes -- you have been in our thoughts and prayers and i keep having a beer for you Henry so i am sure things will turn around soon and you will be drinking the brew yourself.
Mary and Mike C.
Henry:
ReplyDeleteWord has it that there are problems at Schlaflys.
Get better quick and get back to STL & straighten them out!!
Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Nick & Barb
Hi Henry and Elaine!
ReplyDeleteRich just wanted to say "dude, get out of the hospital!!"
I wanted to say that Kathleen and I pray for you and your family every day and we wanted to let you know that we said extra special prayers for you on your 43rd wedding anniversary July 30th!!
We pray for strength and courage during this journey and we want you to know that we are thinking of you every day!
Love and prayers,
Julie Rich and Kathleen
PS if you want some fun updates I will tell you a cute Kathleen story... yesterday I was wondering where Kathleen had made off to in the house and when I yelled "Kathleen!?" I hear a response from the other room.. "Yes Dear!??"
Ha - what a character at 2 yrs old in June!!
She makes us laugh every day - what a blessing from the Lord! Love you H & E!!!!!!!! xoxoxo