The CT scan yesterday revealed also that Niilo had a gallstone so his gallbladder was removed during surgery. There should be no effects or special diet or pills from that in the future. There was too much scar tissue to do things laparoscopically. Surgery was uneventful and apparently the obstruction was due to scar tissue from his appendectomy (done when he was much younger).
He will sit up tonight in ICU, walk tomorrow, and be transferred back to Room 315 for about a week or less. He is on blood pressure (BP) medications because his BP has been elevated. He also had a gastric tube inserted via nose while under anesthesia, so will be fed that way for a while. Doesn’t that sound swell?
We’re obviously glad things went well and hope there were no consequences from having waited those extra days hoping the obstruction would pass.
Heather spent much time with Dad today and reports he is doing OK: just a little painful (no kidding!) in his belly. Before he went into surgery he was reading the Finnish Dog Kalevala book Jim Baldridge gave him and I brought to the hospital, telling the nurses about it and whatnot. Thanks Jim! –Chena
We’d like Niilo to know that he is being held in the light not only across Alaska but also in California (where we live) and in Pennsylvania (where we are now!
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!
With love – Greetta & Jacob
Gary Newman just came to visit here in the Capitol building in Juneau, so I just learned of Niilo’s surgery. So glad to hear he is ok. Please give him the Kerttula family’s love and best wishes. Kiitos for the website!
Tell Niilo we are trying to do some good down here, and that I miss him. He always came over on Sunday afternoons to read the NY Times and eat dinner with us. We love him dearly. All my best, Beth Kerttula