Hi all,
Just over 3 weeks ago, my 55yo husband had a total gastrectomy, splenectomy and part of the pancreas and part of the liver ended up needing to go too. Initially he was great, unfortunately he’s had multiple complications:
anastomosis leak (started as a pinprick, treated with endosponge, this progressed at each sponge change to moderate size, then 50% circumference to being held by 2 threads and a vac stent was inserted on Friday)
lung collapse and infection
Leaking pancreas / pancreatitis
Sepsis and multiple collections in abdominal cavity as well as pus at drain sites and some seeping from his wound.
internal bleeding- possibly from pancreas but at time of emergency surgery (8 days post op) bleeding had stopped so they can’t be sure
his heart rate drops dramatically and at one point completely stopped for 8 seconds (he is on a ventilator in ICU so all picked up immediately)
He is on TPN.
he was fully ventilated and unconscious for 12 days after the emergency return to surgery but wakened a few days ago. He was on dialysis for a few days but now off that. But he has a very long way to go. He has a tracheotomy and his ventilator requirements are decreasing. It all feels surreal as his cancer was discovered by chance and he had zero symptoms. So hard to believe that on 12 September he walked into hospital feeling healthy (clearly he wasn’t) and now he is critically ill. It’s also been so hard as the kids haven’t seen him in over 2 weeks since he has been in ICU. The colour of fluid in his drains still is a concern (surgeon believes may be a bowel leak although this hasn’t been picked up on CT) his urine has been pinkish red since yesterday.
I know this is a lot. I’m really hoping someone else has been through this and rallied around. The team around him have been amazing but they are astounded by how many complications he has had as a young and strong patient.
