Grandpa and Lauren: Update 11

Grandpa Ottley met with Dr. Jones today. He is the surgeon that performed the triple bypass just over a month ago. The checkup went very well and he said he is showing very good signs of recovery. He removed many of the restrictions that were given when he was originally discharged from the hospital. He feels he should be ready to go back to work as soon as he feels strong enough to do so. He has still been having pain in his left arm and fingers. The doctor feels this is not from the stroke as we first thought but rather the nerve near his elbow was irritated during or after surgery and it has become inflamed. He recommended taking anti-inflammatory medication for the next few weeks and if it doesn't improve, he would like to set up some rehab therapy for him. His vision is still limited in his left eye and that is a result from the stroke. We are hopeful that it improves over the next few months. He is continuing to get stronger and is trying to walk each day. The doctor gave us the impression he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and left it up to him to gauge his limits.

Lauren had an appointment with Dr. Yamashiro at Primary Children's Hospital so that she could be fitted for another expander device that will be put in to place next week. I am not sure how long she will have to wear it this time. This is the same device she had to wear earlier in the year. It is a bit uncomfortable for her but she adjusts pretty quickly to it. Her ear is healing nicely and we will continue to monitor it and send pictures to Dr. Lewin so she can evaluate them.