Prayer Request

Things change so quickly.

The round-the-clock diuretics seem to be working, fluid is getting through the plumbing much better. They put compression stockings back on Dan's legs to force the fluid up and out, which is working but they are a little painful, so they plan to switch to ace bandages this afternoon. And he is getting used to his low-sodium diet.

Dan's heart went back into afib last night while he was sleeping. This is the first time it's done this during rest, the other times it was during exertion. So, the teams have decided to postpone the ERCP (procedure to remove the bile duct stent) in favor of the cardiology team's recommendation to first do a cardiac ablation and pacemaker implant (www.heartrhythmcenter.com/myweb2/av_nodal_ablation2.htm has a good explanation of this.) Surgery is scheduled for Monday afternoon, we don't know the time yet, and it will take a few hours. This is a fairly common procedure and is minimally invasive, and hopefully once his heart is pumping normally that it will help the kidneys along. And yes, the pacemaker will be permanent, the battery will need to be replaced, usually after 5+ years, depending on the rate it "paces".

Thanks for your prayers for Dan tomorrow, as always. Life is hard, but God is good.

Aloha,
Debbie and Dan