Time for a Check-up

Update: Dad tolerated the procedure fine. He is back home resting. The doctor said that the narrowing that was there in February is still there but the bile was flowing fine. He replaced the old stent with a new one so he is good to go for another 8- 10 weeks. He is still on liquids/ soft foods for today but back to normal tomorrow.


Today Dad will have a procedure to check the stent that was inserted in Cleveland. One of the biliary ducts had developed some scar tissue so a stent was inserted to keep it open. He is supposed to have it checked every 8 to 10 weeks. Dad has a liver doctor in Arizona that he really likes and he will be doing the procedure. It involves being put under anesthesia and basically a scope goes down the throat etc. to look at the stent. We were told at Cleveland that sometimes they need to remove and then replace the stent. He has tolerated this procedure very well in the past. He will be going in this morning (Arizona time) and have the procedure around lunch time. It is outpatient so he should be back home in time for supper.

Dad did have a couple of falls several weeks ago - one while hiking a trail to see the "waterfall" I mentioned in a previous post. Some very wonderful Canadians happened by and helped Mom get him up and walked with them back to the car. He didn't hurt himself but the doctors in Cleveland wanted him to have a few tests to check some things out since he seemed to be unsteady. He was also experiencing some short term memory problems. So the last couple of weeks they have been getting those done. All of those have come back normal or as expected. Mom says his memory is much better and he is steadier too.

All in all his health and strength have been improving during their stay in Mesa. He works out at the exercise facility at Monta Vista three days a week, walks the other three then takes Sundays off.