Ertl Amputation Day 3

Thursday, June 12 2008 -

Day 2 is here.

Carol had a bad night. I had a bad night as well. I kept waking up after dreaming she was in massive pain and delirious.

This morning, before we left for the hospital, Dr. Ertl called. He said she had a fever spike to 104 last night. He reiterated that she was doing much better now and that they had removed the catheter and epidural this morning. She was up at the bathroom when we called me. He said it could be caused by the drugs or it could be the body's reaction to the foreign object. He was going to redress the leg and make sure there was nothing going on there. Her blood work was due back soon and her urine tests showed no infection so we are hopeful.

Dr. Ertl isn't what I would consider a normal doctor. Most doctors, surgeons especially, tend to maintain that professional disinterest. Dr. Ertl called me because he remembered I was going to back to NH today and wanted to make sure I knew what was going on. He explained everything that had happened, potential causes and what was being done about it, not in a clinical way, but in a way that says he really cares. Carol's mother and I aren't terribly impressed with the hospital, but Dr. Ertl and his staff have been spectacular to have around.

We are leaving to go to the hospital in about 30 minutes...