More active today

The nurse has been easing off Alan's sedation (and increasing the pain medication to compensate) so he can be more awake and aware, which is good for him even if it's only for a few hours at a time. The latest x-rays have shown that his lungs are clear, so it's another slow step towards getting the tube out.

He stayed awake for a couple of hours this afternoon while the ICU PT came by with some exercises to keep his left leg (the one not affected by the surgery) healthy. He is also getting a brace to keep the left foot in a flexed position to prevent foot drop while he is confined to the bed.

As a result of all this activity, he was awake for a visit from Santa Claus! He also enjoyed watching his Madagascar DVD, even squeezing my finger and wiggling his toes while King Julian was singing I Want To Move It, Move It. That, along with his Ultimate Pandas DVD, seemed to hold his attention today - all we are missing is Happy Feet to complete his monochromatic animal parade. For some reason, he likes black and white animals.

Doc L came by for a quick check on Alan but other than being happy with what she saw and letting us know they would be changing the dressing on his leg on Saturday and Monday, there was nothing new from her. She will look at the decision on when to take Alan into surgery to close the incisions on his leg on a day by day basis.

Doc HJ came by to see Alan after a long day of surgeries. The main thing she wanted to check was the drain from the bladder, to be sure there wasn't any urine leaking. She was happy with that, but because of the swelling around his scrotum (a result of the hemipelvectomy) the foley will probably stay in longer than the 7-10 days originally anticipated, since Alan will not be able to urinate with the swelling. The stent is made of silicone so there is no problem with it staying in until that swelling goes down.

Alan has had a bit of fever coming and going - none of the cultures they have taken have come back with anything. Aimee told us that a little fever is not unusual after such a major surgery or when a patient is not moving like Alan. It's bringing his blood pressure down a little, but the nurse is keeping his fluids and Lasiks up. He is also getting antibiotics and Tylenol as well as cool compresses to keep him comfortable. Doc L is not worried so we're not too concerned.