How long in hospital after surgery?

[mpbser]

Thanks, MissMolly/Karen.

just a correction, in case this thread ever helps anyone else in the future regarding "your husband was instructed to drink protein drinks in the 2-3 days leading up to surgery - replacing solid food." He was instructed to do so, yes, but it caused him violent bowel reactions (gas, constipation, etc) most likely due to the whey protein concentrate. We replaced the "4 protein drinks per day" with 2 servings of kefir per day.

He had a great BM this afternoon, so we are happy with his progress. Fingers crossed he will be all set to be discharged tomorrow.

[Stewsbetty]

Something I learned in regard to hemoglobin through this journey. The results can vary depending on how hydrated you are. If you are a dehydrated your hemoglobin will test higher. This was explained to me as I was confused by varying numbers during my hospital stay. I finished chemo in mid February and my hemoglobin is now just reaching normal levels. It takes a while for the levels to climb though removing the source of bleeding helps quite a bit.

[mpbser]

His hemoglobin dropped again to 7.6. I'm now getting concerning about internal bleeding. He hasn't had much blood drawn in the past 24 hours. This is not good for his congestive heart failure. Ugh.

[LPL]

Hi CV,
I understand your "Ugh"...
Did your DH get blood transfusions during/after this surgery? Was his hemoglobin very low before surgery?
You/he mentioned earlier that his hemoglobin was ranging from 7 to 9 and that he had had 6 transfusions before, the last one 4/12/17.
How is his doctor thinking regarding this?
Sending healing vibrations!
& Kind Regards /L

[mpbser]

Hi LPL, "Did your DH get blood transfusions during/after this surgery? Was his hemoglobin very low before surgery?
You/he mentioned earlier that his hemoglobin was ranging from 7 to 9 and that he had had 6 transfusions before, the last one 4/12/17. How is his doctor thinking regarding this?"

No transfusions since 4/12/17 but his Hg was improving even since that day. Here are the specifics:

Results Value Reference Range Status Flag Date

red blood cell distribution width 20.00% 11.5-14.5 completed H 5/23/2017
platelet count 337 10*3/mm3 150-600 completed N 5/23/2017
mean corpuscular volume, RBC 70.2 fL 80.0-94.0 completed L 5/23/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RBC 20.8 pg 27.0-31.0 completed L 5/23/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RBC 29.6 G/DL 32.0-37.5 completed L 5/23/2017
leukocyte count, blood 8.86 10*3/mm3 4.0-11.0 completed N 5/23/2017
hemoglobin, blood 7.6 g/dL 14.0-18.0 completed LL 5/23/2017
hematocrit, blood 25.70% 40.0-54.0 completed L 5/23/2017
erythrocyte (RBC) count 3.66 XMILL/UL 4.6-6.2 completed L 5/23/2017

red blood cell distribution width 20.00% 11.5-14.5 completed H 5/22/2017
platelet count 345 10*3/mm3 150-600 completed N 5/22/2017
mean corpuscular volume, RBC 70.4 fL 80.0-94.0 completed L 5/22/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RBC 20.1 pg 27.0-31.0 completed L 5/22/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RBC 28.6 G/DL 32.0-37.5 completed L 5/22/2017
leukocyte count, blood 10.43 10*3/mm3 4.0-11.0 completed N 5/22/2017
hemoglobin, blood 8.1 g/dL 14.0-18.0 completed L 5/22/2017
hematocrit, blood 28.30% 40.0-54.0 completed L 5/22/2017
erythrocyte (RBC) count 4.02 XMILL/UL 4.6-6.2 completed L 5/22/2017

red blood cell distribution width 20.20% 11.5-14.5 completed H 5/21/2017
platelet count 346 10*3/mm3 150-600 completed N 5/21/2017
mean corpuscular volume, RBC 70.4 fL 80.0-94.0 completed L 5/21/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RBC 20.9 pg 27.0-31.0 completed L 5/21/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RBC 29.7 G/DL 32.0-37.5 completed L 5/21/2017
leukocyte count, blood 12.50 10*3/mm3 4.0-11.0 completed H 5/21/2017
hemoglobin, blood 8.7 g/dL 14.0-18.0 completed L 5/21/2017
hematocrit, blood 29.30% 40.0-54.0 completed L 5/21/2017
erythrocyte (RBC) count 4.16 XMILL/UL 4.6-6.2 completed L 5/21/2017
SURGERY DATE 5/19/2017
red blood cell distribution width 20.80% 11.5-14.5 completed H 5/18/2017
mean corpuscular volume, RBC 70.3 fL 80.0-94.0 completed L 5/18/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RBC 20.6 pg 27.0-31.0 completed L 5/18/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RBC 29.3 G/DL 32.0-37.5 completed L 5/18/2017
hemoglobin, blood 9.5 g/dL 14.0-18.0 completed L 5/18/2017
hematocrit, blood 32.40% 40.0-54.0 completed L 5/18/2017
erythrocyte (RBC) count 4.61 XMILL/UL 4.6-6.2 completed N 5/18/2017

red blood cell distribution width 21.50% 11.5-14.5 completed H 5/2/2017
mean corpuscular volume, RBC 69.4 fL 80.0-94.0 completed L 5/2/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RBC 20.3 pg 27.0-31.0 completed L 5/2/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RBC 29.2 G/DL 32.0-37.5 completed L 5/2/2017
hemoglobin, blood 9.3 g/dL 14.0-18.0 completed L 5/2/2017
hematocrit, blood 31.80% 40.0-54.0 completed L 5/2/2017
erythrocyte (RBC) count 4.58 XMILL/UL 4.6-6.2 completed L 5/2/2017

red blood cell distribution width 20.60% 11.5-14.5 completed H 4/12/2017
mean corpuscular volume, RBC 66.8 fL 80.0-94.0 completed L 4/12/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RBC 18.5 pg 27.0-31.0 completed L 4/12/2017
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RBC 27.7 G/DL 32.0-37.5 completed L 4/12/2017
hemoglobin, blood 7.3 g/dL 14.0-18.0 completed LL 4/12/2017
hematocrit, blood 26.40% 40.0-54.0 completed L 4/12/2017
erythrocyte (RBC) count 3.95 XMILL/UL 4.6-6.2 completed L 4/12/2017

His doctor was mildly concerned and wasn't very clear to use in explaining what might be going on. He decided against transfusion at this time because of its immunosuppressive effect. We get regular second opinions from a surgeon friend of ours in NYC (residency at Mt. Sinai) who told me this morning: If all the other numbers are normal, or trending better, then it's generally not an issue until it gets under 6. So, if he is feeling good, peeing, eating, and all other tests are normal (which they are or at least very close to), or improving from where they were, then no worries. Another thing is that if there is internal bleeding post surgery, his belly would be getting more tender, his BP would be dropping, pulse increasing, and blood in the toilet. For Hg to drop by 1, there is a blood loss of about 300 ml which is larger than a can of soda volume. That's either coming out, or staying in the belly causing pain, distention, nausea, fever, malaise, and other changes in vitals."

That information made me and husband feel a whole lot better. He came home this afternoon but doesn't want to come to this forum for now.

[LPL]

It sounds as you have gotten reassuring info.
It must feel good to be home again

[mpbser]

Yes, LPL, he is definitely happy to be home although he almost went back to the hospital last night because the pain was so bad. The things his surgeon friend said to look for was: increasing swelling (b/c swelling peak is at 72 hours post surgery and that time had already passed), hardness around the surgical sites, fever, sweats, and racing pulse. He took a second Tramadol (1-2 every 6 hours is dosage and he only wants to stay at minimum) and that made a huge difference.

Now, just on pins and needles waiting for the liver biopsy results.

[LPL]

Hi CV,
Sorry to here about pain and swelling, do you mean abdominal distinction?
If so I just read that member MissMolly/Karen wrote that it can take quite some time for it to resolve.. It was in another thread. Please see here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57952&p=456906#p456906
Great that the Tramadol helps with the pain (It has helped my back pain too)
Agree - Yes, waiting for test result is Not fun !!
"It is what it is" - is what my DH says every time...
Hoping for a good result for your husband !