Thursday 8/1 (8:00pm) -- Hemoglobin went from 7.7 to 10.4. Appears to be going the right way now. Working on moving me out of ICU to stepdown, then on to the regular floor, and hopefully out the door. We don't know 100% about the ulcer and bleeding, but looks good. Btw all of you fabulous deals people are making me 'semi-celebrity' here.

Thursday 8/1 (10:15am) -- Been losing blood all night, hemoglobin down around 7.7, they are going to give me two units of blood and watch the next twelve hours. Trach was switched to one that allows speech and eating. Ulcer was close to 4cm, if still bleeding they will consult for surgery. Still wishing for the best. Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, texts, letters, and more.

Wednesday 7/31 (evening) -- Scope found huge ulcer in g.i. & they clamped it. Watching me tonight, should be out of icu tomorrow & in a stepdown room with a trach that will allow speaking & eating. Hope the blood work will come back with good news.

Wednesday 7/31 (afternoon) -- Had blood and bile in the lungs. Couldn't clear it. Body did a good job though. Breathing is getting stronger. After scope they want to switch trach to a smaller one that would allow me to swallow and talk. Still in bed. They want to send me out of ICU to a stepdown unit so I can be mobile. White count is 28, hemoglobin is still wonky. They have specialists, cultures are coming back as common, but the bacteria doesn't die. We have been through tons of antibiotics. The three surgeries were to physically attack the bacteria masses that were forming in neck with antibiotics to mop up Superbugs.
Are you in pain? Yeah but not too bad, normal daily pain is 3-4, here I've been 5-8  Morphine and loratab when I ask

Tuesday 7/30 -- Xarous came back later in the evening to say during the surgery he had aspirated and vomited while under anesthesia. They were now seeing blood in his stool. They found internal bleeding (but not sure from where). The doctors were going to start him on blood transfusions soon.

Tuesday 7/30 --
[17:19]	xar-bear	Complications from surgery landed me in ICU
[17:19]	xar-bear	Different trach a few times
[17:19]	xar-bear	Don't know what all happened
[17:20]	xar-bear	Will update soon
[17:20]	mr_trousers	feel better! rest up!
[17:22]	marcee	How are you feeling, X?
[17:23]	xar-bear	Like shit
[17:23]	marcee	Is there any kind of happy ending in sight?
[17:23]	marcee	Do they have a plan?
[17:23]	xar-bear	Trying things now

Monday 7/29 (12:15pm) -- Letting you all know: Changed trach for the fifth time, doc ordered another ct scan, we will see the results. May need another round of surgery tomorrow.

Monday 7/29 (10:38am) -- White count back up, around 14, took some xrays of lungs, negative on isolation, waiting on doctors for more. Will let everyone know as soon as I can.

Sunday 7/28 (11am) -- Feeling better. First time in last seven days that the white count dropped. It's 12 flat, but I'll take it. Still weak, malnourished, but improving and that is all that matters.  Older daughter got to come see me.  I get to attempt real food for lunch. The dyes and contrasts are kicking my kidneys. Still on fourth trach, hopefully last. Doc wants me to leave soon. Says the longer I am here the worse it is for me.

Thursday 7/26 (11:45am) -- Round 2 of surgery seemed okay. I've been sedated most of the time since yesterday afternoon. Waiting on more cultures, still. Keeping everyone updated best I can, but we don't have a lot to go off of. Switched trach again, trying to eat now, let you all know more later.

Wednesday 7/25 (noon) -- Infection jumped overnight. Sending in infectious diseases team to do more test/blood work. Surgery again. Things going badly.

Tuesday 7/24 (various times) -- Sending me to a room on the third floor. Roommate has control of the tv remote, and 4 guests at a time. Miss my girls. Ripped out first trach, installed different.  Tried to put on a voice on trach, so i can communicate, didn't work. Supposed to put in new trach in morning.