I wasn't going to post this until after he came home, but after talking with "KarenSpaw," this evening, I think we'd better ask for some good ol' Mudcat help.

Spaw went in hospital, last Thursday, aenemic and hypoxic, with signs of internal bleeding. He is in ICU. Here's the scoop, as of tonight:

Because his lungs seem to be quite weak, they put him on a vent in order to do an upper GI, to find out where he was bleeding. Found three ulcers in his stomach, two of which they cauterised, the other was somewhat inaccessible, so they injected something to constrict its vessels. His hemoglobin went up, which is a good sign, after that treatment. He may be off of the vent by now. Karen will be going back up in a few minutes and will keep me posted.

They've taken him off the heparin to slow the bleeding problems, but that also carries a risk of blood clots. The cellulitis he's been battling is getting better and the swelling in his legs is better since he has been off of them.

He's been on a BiPap (pressurised breathing machine, kind of like CPAP) and without it, his o2 sats are okay on a cannula, but he becomes disoriented, etc. so they are thinking he needs the BiPap to help get rid of the Co2 in his lungs. (Been there done that! I know how it feels!)

Although his heart has been enlarged for quite some time, he does not have congestive heart failure, so that is good, too.

Their friends, Connie and Wayne, are helping out in every way possible. Karen hopes he will be home for Christmas. I told her I'd put out a call to Mudcatters to get their "mojo risin'" and she said she KNOWS that when Mudcatters do so, IT WORKS!

So, please, folks, light yer candles, send good thought, cuss him out for not taking care of himself, and/or say a few prayers for Spaw and Karen, as well as their boys. Like before, this one doesn't sound good, but there IS a will to live which will benefit from a good Mudcat BOOST.

Thanks so much,

luvyakat