Kevin didn’t come home this week after all, but the plan is to bring him home early next week. The issue keeping Kevin in the hospital is his low potassium level. We found out that despite his very low levels of potassium, he was wasting all of the extra potassium supplements he was being given. He needed something to make him retain potassium, so a couple days ago he started a new drug to help with that. The doctors didn’t want to send him home after just having started the new drug, because if he suddenly started retaining much more potassium, they would need to quickly adjust how much supplemental potassium he receives. Too much potassium can be lethal; in fact, Dr. Kevorkian used this as one of his methods. Kevin is spending the long weekend in the hospital while his potassium levels are being closely monitored. The good news is that his potassium is coming up! He now is barely within the lower limit of a “normal” level of the nutrient. A higher potassium level should improve his strength and energy.
A call-out to our friends in Santa Cruz county: we are looking for a reclining chair, something along the lines of the La-Z-Boy style. We’d like to have one for Kevin when he comes home. We’re hoping he can recline in something comfortable other than the hospital bed we’ll have in his room. We don’t want to take anything that you’re using, but if you’ve been wanting to get rid of an old recliner, let us know and we’ll be glad to take it off your hands.
I will keep you all updated on when Kevin gets to come home. Have a wonderful holiday weekend, and I’ll be checking back in soon. Please keep up the positive thoughts and prayers for Kevin—he definitely needs every scrap of hope people can send him.
Kevin in the tube
Santa Cruz Chocolate Milkshake Rankings
- 1. Marianne's Ice Cream (Mexican Chocolate shake)
- 2. Marianne's Ice Cream (Chocolate Brownie shake)
- 3. Cold Stone (Dark chocolate ice cream, normal chocolate ice cream, and brownies)
- Marianne's Ice Cream (Chocolate Chocolate-chip Swirl)
- 4. Saturn Cafe (Chocolate ice cream and peanut butter)
- 5. Jack's Burgers
- 6. Betty's Burgers
- 7. Carpo's
- 8. Burger King
- 8. Sno-White Drive In
- 10. Chill Out Cafe (Chocolate, banana and peanut butter—I guess too many flavors for Kevin's taste!)
Shake Stars
- ★★★★1/2 Butterscotch Swirl from Marianne's
- ★★★★1/2 Butter Pecan from Marianne's
- ★★★★☆ Bananas Foster Shake (homemade)
- ★★★★☆ Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Shake from Marianne's
- ★★★★☆ 3AM Truffle from Marrianne's
Palo Alto Chocolate Milkshake Rankings
- 1. "Old Fashioned" Chocolate Shake from Peninsula Creamery
- 2. Chocolate Shake from Häagen-Dazs
- 3. Chocolate Shake from In-N-Out
- 3. Chocolate Shake from Jeffrey's Hamburgers
- 3. Chocolate Shake from Rick's Rather Rich
- 4. Chocolate Shake from Palo Alto Creamery
6 comments:
With the scary news of potassium, comes the better news that his levels are coming up! It so amazing how complicated our systems are and how easily they can become unbalanced and sometimes undetected, but thankfully there have been a lot of things that were caught (your blood clots and now your potassium amoung other things along this difficult journey. Kevin, there are Angels here on earth and above watching over you, your family, and loved ones.
We send our prayers and good thoughts that your getting to go home after so many months in the hospital is 'uneventful' You have had way too many 'events'! We will keep our eyes open for a good recliner for you (big enough hopefully to snuggle up with Kathlin, the dog, the cat too) We keep you close in thought and in our hearts
Love from Toni and Steve
Costco has a so called zero gravity camp chair. It folds up, but is very sturdy and reclines so that your feet are higher than your head. It's not a barkalounger, but it's comfy and might work until you get what you need.
Sharon Anderson
Dear Kevin, Rich, Carolyn and Stacy,
The Jensens, Colberts and Almys are all thinking about you this Memorial Day and sending you lots of love and healing energy today and every day.
Much love,
From all of us!
Hey Kevin,
That's great that you got to see the ocean the other day! It's one of my favorite things in the world, too :). Please know that you are still in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Kathleen (Cooney)
We have a very comfy lazy boy we are getting rid of. If you know of anyone driving through Davis, on there way to Santa Cruz, you are welcome to it!
Heather A (The Jensens daughter)
Hey Kev,
You must be so happy to be home in familiar surroundings! Eating home cooked meals to help strenthen you to fight the good fight. Kudos to your Dad for installing the Satellite Dish, wow that is going to be great to have comedys, games and shows to laugh at...Kudos to Kaitlin for being your stalwart and by your side constantly. Kudos to your Mom who has kept it all together. Kudos to Stacy for the fabulous Blog. She has written it with respect, care and passion. And has kept us all informed with loving tenderness.
We will send you some pics of Kirkwood. 3 to 5 feet of snow in the meadow and about 10 feet plus on the mountain! Love Chris and Vickie
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