Message received today from Bernie:
Pete, Dave, & Carla,
I returned to the hospital on Dec. 6th because I was getting weaker and weaker. On Dec. 16th I was transferred from Old Vic Hospital to St. Joe's Hospital and had an emergency operation the same evening. The doctor found that 40% of my pancreas had not only died but separated and become gangrenous. This was the major source of infection that was making me weaker. The doctor removed the dead part and cleaned up the rest of the pancreas. I was discharged on Dec. 29th and am recouperating at home. I still have two hemovacs attached externally that are draining my pancreas. When the volume of drainage drops below 25 mL these will be removed. I check and record the volumes of each every 24 hours. I will contact the doctor on Tues. and set up appointments for bloodwork as well as when to come in to have the hemovacs disconnected, etc.
I am feeling well but my hemoglobin is low so my energy levels are easily depleted. I am on iron supplements for 3 months so hopefully my hemoglobin level will be back to normal by then.
Thank you all for your concern.
Bernie