another swede update

Hi all.. I finally received a reply from Todd's wife, Jen on FB.  I am pasting in exactly what she sent me:

Sure, I actually have lost track of time but I'll try my best, Sunday around dinner time 4ish as he was drinking the stuff to prep for mondays colonoscopy he started throwing up blood. Around 6 they rushed him to ICU and began prepping him for an emergency endoscopy scheduled for 8pm. Well the whole day was horrible. At midnight, G.I doc told us she found the original source of his bleed, a tear or rip or something oozing at the new pouch site where it connected to the intestine? i think, he was VERY heavily sedated. His mom and I saw him at 5:30am. Big mistake. He was still intubated and pumped full of gas! He looked dead and 500lbs. I didnt see him again until 9am, rules in ICU. He was extubated but still full of gas and miserable. He was tired, sore, weak, and still out of it from anesthisia. He stayed there all day Mon. resting. He had many "wretching " episodes. So that had to stop before they could move him out of ICU. They moved him Tues afternoon to a floor. Still resting but walked one time but got exhausted. Wed. my daughters bday, he was still "zoned", depressed, idk. He did walk few laps with the p.t. tho. Thurs. pm he called me to say he was tolerating soft food and doc said if he felt up to it he could go home Fri. his 40th bday! What a celebration we are having today. Actually all weekend. Feel free to share with the rest of his on line supporters! Jen

My response to her: 
thanks for the update Jen.  We have all been quite concerned about him.  If you haven't noticed, we are one big online family and we care deeply about each other.  When one of us is having issues, we are all having issues, if that makes sense.  We keep in touch with each other through the website, texts, phone calls, live support groups, etc.  With you living in Pittsburgh, we don't get to "SEE" Todd, so the phone calls and support board are that much MORE important.  We are here for both of you in any way you need us and we hope you both continue to take advantage of what we have to offer.  We have all been there and can and want to help out in any way we can. 

Please send all of our love to him and hugs to you and the kids, as well.

Hopefully, he'll get to be home today for his birthday.

Wow - what a journey!! I hope that he is doing well enough to come home today to celebrate his birthday with his family. Protein ice cream is a good b-day treat! lol

Thanks for the update LIsa and you are so right, we are more then just an online support group. You all are some of my closest and dearest friends!

Thanks for posting Lisa!!

What a scary time for Swede and his family! Glad to hear that he is well enough to go home today. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!!

Beth

Thanks so much Lisa - that poor man has been through so much, and his family, too. I feel so bad for all of them but hopefully he's on the mend and will get home today and start recovering and feeling better with his family around him.

As always please pass along our prayers and well wishes - I know most people don't share their home addresses and information, but if by chance he or Jen would agree to it I would love to send him a get well note.

Kathy

I will ask her and see what she says.  I think a card shower would be wonderful!

Thanks for the update, Lisa!!!  I saw Steffi's update earlier and am sooo glad the mass is benign!!!  Swede and his family have been through a lot the past 3 weeks and have been in my thoughts and prayers.  Wishing him a speedy recovery!!!

I too, would really like to send get well wishes to him. 

Thanks so much for the update.  Been thinking about him every day.

Cyd

That is awful. Makes me think twice again about my upcoming surgery day. Please let us know if he will receive some personal "get wells" from us. Thanks for the info.

Scot

Scot, Please don't let Swede's experience influence you too much in your decision to have the surgery. Barix is an EXCELLENT facility and Dr Boe is an awesome surgeon. But like any surgery there are risks, and sadly Swede is having some trouble with his. On the other hand a good thing is that they found that mass that thankfully is benign, but if it hadn't been found may have caused him more trouble down the road.

Swede is in a very low percentile of people who have severe complications from this surgery - this is the ONLY surgery Barix does and they are experts at it. I understand your concerns but you are in very good hands there.

Hang tough - trust me, having this surgery is probably one of the best decisions of your life.

Kathy

Thanks for the update on Swede.  

Swede,  I certainly hope you are on the mend and all things from here on in are positive.

You and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers.  I'm glad that you will be home to celebrate your 40th with your family.  Happy Birthday

arlene