News Flash

Update: December 8th
Dear Fellow Beatonites,
It’s been some time since I have sent out an update on Alex. I’ll try to catch you up on what has happened and on his current situation.
Alex returned home from his mid-November stay in Barnes-Jewish about a week before Thanksgiving. Prior to his discharge, they replaced the nasal feeding tube with one through the abdominal wall (commonly referred to as a PEG). Generally, nasal tubes are not maintained for more than 30 days while abdominal tubes are longer term. Alex’s continued problems with swallowing makes the feeding tube necessary.
Unfortunately, on Thanksgiving Day he had to go to the emergency room with a low blood oxygen level. Linda insisted that they prescribe home oxygen for him and he has remained on oxygen since that time.
Linda called this morning (Sunday) to say that they were again in the hospital. She was concerned that he had possibly had a stroke but she was assured that it did not happen. Meanwhile, x-rays show that he still has signs of the remnants of the pneumonia. He was carried to John Cochran VA hospital where Linda says she is pleased with his care. He has been approved for four weeks of OT/PT at Jefferson Barracks and she hopes that they will transfer him there for further treatment and the OT/PT. If this happens, he will be looking at an extended stay and I will get room and contact information back to you.
Please continue to keep Alex and Linda in your thoughts and prayers as we go into this Christmas season.
Keep the faith,
George
Update: November 19th
I talked with Linda again this morning and unfortunately, Alex is going to be in Barnes for a while longer. They have placed a feeding tube (in his abdomen not through his nose) and are working to get the details of this worked out. Apparently they have NOT been listening to Linda’s direction and now Alex has another pneumonia (aspiration). The big difference with this admission is that Alex is alert and participating in the formation of his treatment plan, which I am sure Linda values. Linda is still trying to balance work while taking care of Alex.
~ Beth
November 9th
Alex was readmitted to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri last night, 11/8 with, what the doctors believe is aspiration pneumonia again. He will have Speech Therapy perform another swallow test tomorrow to see if they made a mistake in allowing him to have food & drink by mouth. His right lung is three-quarters blocked and they are giving him high powered medication to combat any infection he may have. Linda & Alex are hoping he will be able to fight this WITHOUT having to be re-intubated and his spirits and fight remain high.
With apologies for taking up so much of your time, they ask for your prayers yet again and send back to you their love and appreciation …
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