Good Memorial Day to you all,
We took a day off from blogging yesterday, and it was a good day for that because there wasn't much news anyway.
Today Anne was moved out of the COR section into Room 302. This is a double room on the other side of the block. It has a view of the White Mountains and into Hadlock Field where the Seadogs are actually having a game with New Britain right now. It's another beautiful day, however unusual because the city of Portland (as well as much of the State of Maine) is covered with smoke from the wild fires in Quebec that have been in the news. We opened (and closed) Anne's window and could actually smell the smoke. Same phenomenon at home the past 2 days.
This morning Anne has a Chest-xray and an EKG done. No results were discussed with Anne yet.
She is walking 4 laps around the block 4 times per day now. She's up to 2/3 of a mile of walking daily.
Anne is experiencing shortness of breath, and I can tell it is not comfortable for her. The breathing exercises don't seem to be expanding her lung capacity as designed. An inhaler has been ordered and is on it's way to see if it will help. She asked Nurse Jamie if there was any medication available that would relax the muscles in her stomach and chest, to ease the sensation. The Dr. will be consulted.
Big news of the day, at 10:10 Anne passed gas for the first time. That's not only a milestone but a requirement for getting out of here. There's been nothing said about going home yet.
Anne stated that since the epidural has been removed that she has alog more pain when she coughs, makes sense, however she is still encouraged to freely cough.
Pat the respiratory therapist just arrived. She is going to give Anne a breathing nebulizer treatment rather than use an inhaler. Pat is listening to Anne's lungs as she breathes in on a device which generates a 'mist'. Anne will keep this up for 5 minutes. I hope it helps her out. Pat said the Chest-xray showed bilateral infusions of fluid on both sides of Anne's body. She said that sometimes they tap into that to relieve it, and sometimes they do nothing and let the body absorb it. The nebulizer treatment is done now, and aparently was not helpful for what is bothering Anne.
More to come........don't be alarmed, Anne is fine and resting pretty comfortably.
She needs to do more work with the breathing exercises than she has been doing.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Five Days after Surgery, 5:35pm
Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone! It's another beautiful day here today, 75 degrees and sunny. Everyone seems to be a bit more relaxed in this wing of the hospital today with the long weekend upon us.
Anne is especially happy to have two fewer tubes !! Both the epidural and her drainage tube (which drained her stomach thru the nose) have been removed.
An Oxycodone cocktail (a large syringe full of red solution injected thru the j-tube(feeding tube)) was started today to make up for the epidural to manage pain. She can request this every three hours as needed. Anne said her pain has been at a 5 today.
When I arrived at 1:30pm Anne was taking a couple of laps around the loop so I joined her. The volume of her walking around the halls increases daily, and she still does the breathing exercises to increase lung capacity.
Anne is still in Room 326 in the COR section. She had a couple of rooms (with a view of Mt. Washington) picked out down the other end of the third floor, and she's been pulling some strings, but it's starting to look like she might just stay in Room 326 for the duration.
They now plan to do the Barium swallow test on Tuesday. The initial plan was for Friday, but due to the long weekend things have changed. The results of this test will determine 'what and when' Anne can start eating. The Dr. said this test is a test for leaks in Anne's reconstructed digestive system.
She is still being encouraged to cough alot to bring up congestion. She recently told the nurse she's getting pain from having to cough so much, so they'll try using a vibrating massage tool on her back near the lungs to try and help her loosen up some of the congestion.
Anne is also having some pain from gas pressure inside. She said she doesn't feel constipated, rather it feels like gas that is just starting to move. This will be a welcomed milestone.
We each took a nap between 3:45 and 5:15pm which was good because we were up so late last night watching the Celtics write their ticket to the NBA Finals. They have eliminated some great teams and we're pleased about that.
Anne wants to thank all of you very much for your continued prayers, cards, and visits. You have all helped her out so so much and she appreciates it.
Anne is especially happy to have two fewer tubes !! Both the epidural and her drainage tube (which drained her stomach thru the nose) have been removed.
An Oxycodone cocktail (a large syringe full of red solution injected thru the j-tube(feeding tube)) was started today to make up for the epidural to manage pain. She can request this every three hours as needed. Anne said her pain has been at a 5 today.
When I arrived at 1:30pm Anne was taking a couple of laps around the loop so I joined her. The volume of her walking around the halls increases daily, and she still does the breathing exercises to increase lung capacity.
Anne is still in Room 326 in the COR section. She had a couple of rooms (with a view of Mt. Washington) picked out down the other end of the third floor, and she's been pulling some strings, but it's starting to look like she might just stay in Room 326 for the duration.
They now plan to do the Barium swallow test on Tuesday. The initial plan was for Friday, but due to the long weekend things have changed. The results of this test will determine 'what and when' Anne can start eating. The Dr. said this test is a test for leaks in Anne's reconstructed digestive system.
She is still being encouraged to cough alot to bring up congestion. She recently told the nurse she's getting pain from having to cough so much, so they'll try using a vibrating massage tool on her back near the lungs to try and help her loosen up some of the congestion.
Anne is also having some pain from gas pressure inside. She said she doesn't feel constipated, rather it feels like gas that is just starting to move. This will be a welcomed milestone.
We each took a nap between 3:45 and 5:15pm which was good because we were up so late last night watching the Celtics write their ticket to the NBA Finals. They have eliminated some great teams and we're pleased about that.
Anne wants to thank all of you very much for your continued prayers, cards, and visits. You have all helped her out so so much and she appreciates it.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Four Days after Surgery, 1:30pm
Good day readers,
Today is another day in Maine paradise weatherwise, 75 degrees, warm sea breeze, and full sun.
Anne had a good night and sounded great when we talked first thing today. She walked a long walk by herself early this morning, and she took a sponge bath by herself after lunchtime.
I came in around 11 and brought your cards in to her. others of your cards have been delivered directly here. It's early afternoon and she is off for a walk down the hall again. She just got back and says she took two laps around this time. I hope she doesn't sneak down the back stair and try to thumb home later today.
Dr. McGillvary made his way to Anne's room around 9pm last night (he deserves to get out early today!). He was still in his blue surgery outfit. He had been in surgery when we were concerned about the clogged feeding tube late afternoon, and even when I left around 7pm. Regarding the tube, he said 'we'll get it cleaned out, it'll be OK'. I suppose the chief surgeon at Maine Med has more to worry about than feeding tubes. Lo and behold, early this morning "two cute young residents" came to Anne's room and using a small syringe with solution they cleared the feeding tube. It seems various folks spent all yesterday afternoon using a big fat syringe to do the job. Anne said she then had a belgian waffle for breakfast, followed by some bacon and eggs.... :)
He told Anne that the pathology reports from surgery were all good. He said, regarding the surgery, that there was one lymphnode 'involved' and that he removed it along with 5 others nearby for good measure. He reitterated that the lining of the esophagus had a small tumor which came out with the job. We were told back in January that he was a fantastic and very thorough metticulous surgeon, as well as a man of few words, very serious. On Monday morning before surgery I made sure he went in to see Anne because she had told me she especially wanted to see him and ask him to smile at her before he started cutting. He got there to see her, and 'yes' he smiled.
Tomorrow Anne's epidural is going to be removed. Then she'll rely on the push button for her pain meds. Today they changed her antibiotics to Erythromycin. They checked against her list of bad drugs before using that and it seems to be OK for her.
Annes nurse today is Kristan, and she'll be working all weekend. We like her. Anne says her pain is stabalized at about a level 4.
Today is another day in Maine paradise weatherwise, 75 degrees, warm sea breeze, and full sun.
Anne had a good night and sounded great when we talked first thing today. She walked a long walk by herself early this morning, and she took a sponge bath by herself after lunchtime.
I came in around 11 and brought your cards in to her. others of your cards have been delivered directly here. It's early afternoon and she is off for a walk down the hall again. She just got back and says she took two laps around this time. I hope she doesn't sneak down the back stair and try to thumb home later today.
Dr. McGillvary made his way to Anne's room around 9pm last night (he deserves to get out early today!). He was still in his blue surgery outfit. He had been in surgery when we were concerned about the clogged feeding tube late afternoon, and even when I left around 7pm. Regarding the tube, he said 'we'll get it cleaned out, it'll be OK'. I suppose the chief surgeon at Maine Med has more to worry about than feeding tubes. Lo and behold, early this morning "two cute young residents" came to Anne's room and using a small syringe with solution they cleared the feeding tube. It seems various folks spent all yesterday afternoon using a big fat syringe to do the job. Anne said she then had a belgian waffle for breakfast, followed by some bacon and eggs.... :)
He told Anne that the pathology reports from surgery were all good. He said, regarding the surgery, that there was one lymphnode 'involved' and that he removed it along with 5 others nearby for good measure. He reitterated that the lining of the esophagus had a small tumor which came out with the job. We were told back in January that he was a fantastic and very thorough metticulous surgeon, as well as a man of few words, very serious. On Monday morning before surgery I made sure he went in to see Anne because she had told me she especially wanted to see him and ask him to smile at her before he started cutting. He got there to see her, and 'yes' he smiled.
Tomorrow Anne's epidural is going to be removed. Then she'll rely on the push button for her pain meds. Today they changed her antibiotics to Erythromycin. They checked against her list of bad drugs before using that and it seems to be OK for her.
Annes nurse today is Kristan, and she'll be working all weekend. We like her. Anne says her pain is stabalized at about a level 4.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Third Day after Surgery, 2:15pm
Hello all,
When Anne spoke with me at 7am today she was sitting in the recliner and watching the Today Show. She sounded fine. I should be clear and say that her voice is not working/sounding as usual, it's more or less of a squeek now, but they say it may come back to normal when swelling goes down.
I got in late morning today. It's another beautiful day here. The last 2 days have been 'dog days', hot, 90 degrees and sunny but with no thunderstorms. Today and tomorrow will be 75 degrees and full sun again with no thunderstorms in the forecast. Haven't seen a cloud in the sky all week. I was able to mow the lawn and brush the dog when I got home last night. The last couple days were 'dog days'.
Anne's daughter Erika has been here since Tuesday night, so that's been great for Anne to be able to see her. It helps me too because I can go home earlier than usual. I think it's been kind of a vacation of sorts for Erika too. Erika is working at her job from our house during the day and she comes in here after she quits work at 5pm. This has been good for Dixie too. Before Erika got here, Laurie and Dana came thru as usual to help by taking care of Dixie at supper time. Thanks to all of you guys for all of your help again this week.
Anne continues to focus on doing all of her breathing exercises, as well as taking several walks today. Her strength is clearly improving now by the minute. She is a good girl and a good patient. She seems to know what it takes to get better.
She is still in the COR area. Anne had told me last night that she'd be moving today, however no orders have been issued to move her yet. There are only 6 beds in this COR section and a couple are available, so there's no rush to move her out of here. We're told there are no empty rooms 'out on the floor', so it's unknown when Anne might move. It's a blessing tho because the care in here is especially good, also Anne has a very cold room which is to her liking.
Anne said she had a 'not so good' night with the blood pressure fluctuations. The epidural had been turned off to get her BP up, so she had to deal with increased pain. She had to push the manual 'dilotted' button more often to make up for the reduced amount of meds being pumped thru the epidural.
Right now there's a blockage in the feeding tube that has given the nurses a challenge this afternoon. I think they are going to get a new line, or they are waiting for an order from the residents to flush the existing line. Hopefully they don't have to take Anne anywhere for any procedures or anything.
Moments ago the discharge planning person (Kim) came by to get acquainted and start that process. There will be lots of discussion about how much help and equipment might be needed at home. We actually hope she won't need any equipment. We aren't sure how long the feeding tube will be needed, but if Anne is unable to get enough nourishment by eating when she goes home then feeding tube will be used to supplement that.
Anne is doing alot of light coughing. It's a good thing. Big coughing is also encouraged so that fluids/muccous are brought up. It's important for her to get up and move around and to lay on her sides (not just on her back) so that fluids don't pool up inside of her and stay in there for too long. The light suction tube is still installed in her nostril to help with the draining of Anne's stomach. All of this because her digestive anatomy has been reconfigured.
Nurse Jamie is working now to flush the feeding tube clear.
If any of you folks would like to see Anne she tells me that starting tomorrow that would be good.
When Anne spoke with me at 7am today she was sitting in the recliner and watching the Today Show. She sounded fine. I should be clear and say that her voice is not working/sounding as usual, it's more or less of a squeek now, but they say it may come back to normal when swelling goes down.
I got in late morning today. It's another beautiful day here. The last 2 days have been 'dog days', hot, 90 degrees and sunny but with no thunderstorms. Today and tomorrow will be 75 degrees and full sun again with no thunderstorms in the forecast. Haven't seen a cloud in the sky all week. I was able to mow the lawn and brush the dog when I got home last night. The last couple days were 'dog days'.
Anne's daughter Erika has been here since Tuesday night, so that's been great for Anne to be able to see her. It helps me too because I can go home earlier than usual. I think it's been kind of a vacation of sorts for Erika too. Erika is working at her job from our house during the day and she comes in here after she quits work at 5pm. This has been good for Dixie too. Before Erika got here, Laurie and Dana came thru as usual to help by taking care of Dixie at supper time. Thanks to all of you guys for all of your help again this week.
Anne continues to focus on doing all of her breathing exercises, as well as taking several walks today. Her strength is clearly improving now by the minute. She is a good girl and a good patient. She seems to know what it takes to get better.
She is still in the COR area. Anne had told me last night that she'd be moving today, however no orders have been issued to move her yet. There are only 6 beds in this COR section and a couple are available, so there's no rush to move her out of here. We're told there are no empty rooms 'out on the floor', so it's unknown when Anne might move. It's a blessing tho because the care in here is especially good, also Anne has a very cold room which is to her liking.
Anne said she had a 'not so good' night with the blood pressure fluctuations. The epidural had been turned off to get her BP up, so she had to deal with increased pain. She had to push the manual 'dilotted' button more often to make up for the reduced amount of meds being pumped thru the epidural.
Right now there's a blockage in the feeding tube that has given the nurses a challenge this afternoon. I think they are going to get a new line, or they are waiting for an order from the residents to flush the existing line. Hopefully they don't have to take Anne anywhere for any procedures or anything.
Moments ago the discharge planning person (Kim) came by to get acquainted and start that process. There will be lots of discussion about how much help and equipment might be needed at home. We actually hope she won't need any equipment. We aren't sure how long the feeding tube will be needed, but if Anne is unable to get enough nourishment by eating when she goes home then feeding tube will be used to supplement that.
Anne is doing alot of light coughing. It's a good thing. Big coughing is also encouraged so that fluids/muccous are brought up. It's important for her to get up and move around and to lay on her sides (not just on her back) so that fluids don't pool up inside of her and stay in there for too long. The light suction tube is still installed in her nostril to help with the draining of Anne's stomach. All of this because her digestive anatomy has been reconfigured.
Nurse Jamie is working now to flush the feeding tube clear.
If any of you folks would like to see Anne she tells me that starting tomorrow that would be good.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Two Days after Surgery, 1:30pm
Hi All,
Anne continues doing well today. She looks very good and very tired.
Anne has not been moved out of the 'Continuous Observation Rooms' section yet however, and she asked me to let you know that she'd prefer not to have visitors at least until she has been moved out of the COR area. I guess at this point 'rest' is the most important thing for her. She expected to be moved today, but there's been no indication that that is going to happen. Nurse Carrie said that maybe the other areas are full, if so, Anne is in luck, able to stay in her private room for now.
This morning she got some exercise by walking about 100 feet, so she attained that goal.
Right now Nurse Carrie is removing Anne's catheter, so Anne will be getting up and down more often now to use the bathroom. That's not only a good sign, but one less tube. Yeah !! I believe she still has a drainage tube, a feeding tube, an oxygen tube, and a fluid tube (which occupies her 'port'). There is also an IV set up in her hand which is not being used at this time.
Today the bandage on Anne's abdomen was removed, exposing the incision there. That incision is 8 inches long running straight up and down ending 3/4 inch above the navel. I'd call it a doozy. It's loaded up with staples, perfectly placed and holding the skin together.
Carrie said the incision in Anne's neck is held together with glue. That incision has some redness but it's fine, it's just from some tape or something. Carrie checked it for us and said it felt and looked just fine.
Anne has been using chloraseptic since she complained about the sore throat yesterday. You should have seen the look on her face the first time she squirted it down her throat. It's an understatement to say that first sensation quite surprised her.
I asked Anne if she can swallow and she said 'no'. We'll learn how that's all going to work sooner than later. One thing's for sure, she'll need to adapt with the absense of the esophagus. I think that could be Anne's motto....'Adapt and move on'.
Yesterday I asked Dr. McGillvary how long Anne's esophagus was. He didn't exactly tell us but he did say that when you cut the top of it and then the bottom that it shrivels up to almost nothing. How's that for a visual?
Anne has fallen asleep again, hopefully the Nurses will be busy for a bit. Ops, well not exactly, she's up and walking again with Nurse Diane. Maybe I'll catch a power nap while they're gone.
Anne continues doing well today. She looks very good and very tired.
Anne has not been moved out of the 'Continuous Observation Rooms' section yet however, and she asked me to let you know that she'd prefer not to have visitors at least until she has been moved out of the COR area. I guess at this point 'rest' is the most important thing for her. She expected to be moved today, but there's been no indication that that is going to happen. Nurse Carrie said that maybe the other areas are full, if so, Anne is in luck, able to stay in her private room for now.
This morning she got some exercise by walking about 100 feet, so she attained that goal.
Right now Nurse Carrie is removing Anne's catheter, so Anne will be getting up and down more often now to use the bathroom. That's not only a good sign, but one less tube. Yeah !! I believe she still has a drainage tube, a feeding tube, an oxygen tube, and a fluid tube (which occupies her 'port'). There is also an IV set up in her hand which is not being used at this time.
Today the bandage on Anne's abdomen was removed, exposing the incision there. That incision is 8 inches long running straight up and down ending 3/4 inch above the navel. I'd call it a doozy. It's loaded up with staples, perfectly placed and holding the skin together.
Carrie said the incision in Anne's neck is held together with glue. That incision has some redness but it's fine, it's just from some tape or something. Carrie checked it for us and said it felt and looked just fine.
Anne has been using chloraseptic since she complained about the sore throat yesterday. You should have seen the look on her face the first time she squirted it down her throat. It's an understatement to say that first sensation quite surprised her.
I asked Anne if she can swallow and she said 'no'. We'll learn how that's all going to work sooner than later. One thing's for sure, she'll need to adapt with the absense of the esophagus. I think that could be Anne's motto....'Adapt and move on'.
Yesterday I asked Dr. McGillvary how long Anne's esophagus was. He didn't exactly tell us but he did say that when you cut the top of it and then the bottom that it shrivels up to almost nothing. How's that for a visual?
Anne has fallen asleep again, hopefully the Nurses will be busy for a bit. Ops, well not exactly, she's up and walking again with Nurse Diane. Maybe I'll catch a power nap while they're gone.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Day One after Surgery, 4pm
Hi Friends,
I arrived to visit Anne today at around 2:30pm. Her adjustable bed was installed at home this morning. She's going to need to sleep with an incline now. There's no more flapper (check valve) in her throat, and gravity will be her ally from now on, helping her with the task of swallowing. I don't think she will actually swallow any more, I think the gravity will be the only thing that moves 'stuff' from her mouth to her stomach.
Anne has been sitting in a reclining chair since I got here. She just called the nurse to report that her throat is very sore and the nurse has gone for some numbing spray for that. Anne told her it hurts to swallow and her belly hurts to cough. Anne is dealing with congestion in her throat too. They have told her that light coughing is a very good activity for her, so she tries. She has a breathing mechanism/exercise to do which displays the strengh of her exhale. She is good about doing the exercises.
Anne said that she doesn't want any visitors until she is moved into another room off of this floor. She expects to be moved tomorrow. That's too bad because she has this nice private situation here now, with a nice view of both front doors of Maine Med just three stories down. It's shady out side her window now and I know she likes that. She had the fan blowing all morning when the hot sun was shinning brightly. Now the fan is turned off. It's in the 90's here today, hopefully a one day phenomenon.
Dr. McGillvary was in this afternoon and was happy to see Anne sitting up and looking well. I forgot to mention yesterday that he had told us that he checked Anne's liver during surgery and it looked fine. Today he repeated that Anne will have the drainage tube coming from the nostril for a week or so. At the end of this week they will do some sort of berillium test, to check Annes throat etc. for leaks.
Anne's blood pressure has come up today to where they aren't concerned now. It measured 104 over 70 last time, and they were pleased. The low bp earlier was attributed to her being dehydrated.
Anne has a feeding tube installed. Nurse Carrie just explained that it is a continuous feed going thru, so much per hour, and every four hours there is a flush of water that occurs. Anne said she heard the last flushing of water when it happened. The nurse said the amount of feed going thru is very small, designed to just give a bit of work to Annes's digestive system at this time. It looks like she's getting a coffee milk shake thru there at current, however slowly.
Anne is doing her best to keep from talking too much and to get as much rest as possible for now. She looks real good with color in her face, and she is a good patient, not trying to over do anything.
Looking back, yesterday was sort of a day of elation, with the good news out of the surgery, the relief from the news, and with Anne talking and joking some. Now reality is setting in as we realize she has alot of work and healing to do, with a long way to go. My feeling is that she's doing as well as can be expected. Learning to eat again is going to be a real adventure when that happens.
I arrived to visit Anne today at around 2:30pm. Her adjustable bed was installed at home this morning. She's going to need to sleep with an incline now. There's no more flapper (check valve) in her throat, and gravity will be her ally from now on, helping her with the task of swallowing. I don't think she will actually swallow any more, I think the gravity will be the only thing that moves 'stuff' from her mouth to her stomach.
Anne has been sitting in a reclining chair since I got here. She just called the nurse to report that her throat is very sore and the nurse has gone for some numbing spray for that. Anne told her it hurts to swallow and her belly hurts to cough. Anne is dealing with congestion in her throat too. They have told her that light coughing is a very good activity for her, so she tries. She has a breathing mechanism/exercise to do which displays the strengh of her exhale. She is good about doing the exercises.
Anne said that she doesn't want any visitors until she is moved into another room off of this floor. She expects to be moved tomorrow. That's too bad because she has this nice private situation here now, with a nice view of both front doors of Maine Med just three stories down. It's shady out side her window now and I know she likes that. She had the fan blowing all morning when the hot sun was shinning brightly. Now the fan is turned off. It's in the 90's here today, hopefully a one day phenomenon.
Dr. McGillvary was in this afternoon and was happy to see Anne sitting up and looking well. I forgot to mention yesterday that he had told us that he checked Anne's liver during surgery and it looked fine. Today he repeated that Anne will have the drainage tube coming from the nostril for a week or so. At the end of this week they will do some sort of berillium test, to check Annes throat etc. for leaks.
Anne's blood pressure has come up today to where they aren't concerned now. It measured 104 over 70 last time, and they were pleased. The low bp earlier was attributed to her being dehydrated.
Anne has a feeding tube installed. Nurse Carrie just explained that it is a continuous feed going thru, so much per hour, and every four hours there is a flush of water that occurs. Anne said she heard the last flushing of water when it happened. The nurse said the amount of feed going thru is very small, designed to just give a bit of work to Annes's digestive system at this time. It looks like she's getting a coffee milk shake thru there at current, however slowly.
Anne is doing her best to keep from talking too much and to get as much rest as possible for now. She looks real good with color in her face, and she is a good patient, not trying to over do anything.
Looking back, yesterday was sort of a day of elation, with the good news out of the surgery, the relief from the news, and with Anne talking and joking some. Now reality is setting in as we realize she has alot of work and healing to do, with a long way to go. My feeling is that she's doing as well as can be expected. Learning to eat again is going to be a real adventure when that happens.
Day One after Surgery, 8am
Mornin all !!
I was up 21 hours yesterday, starting with the early trip to Maine Med, and ending with the late overtime Celtics playoff game late last night (I admit, I fell asleep in my chair during the 3rd quarter). I slept like a rock until Anne called me at 5:30am 'to talk'. Then she called me again at 6:15 and woke me again 'to talk'. Point being,,, she is doing fantastic and she sounds great, if not just a bit tired. There’s a lot of relief in her voice too. She said the nurses come in and wake her too much, and it's been hard to get a decent block of time for any real rest. Opps, she just called again and is sounding pretty tired at this point.
The one real concern is that her blood pressure is low. They're working to find out why. She is great tho, and I’m so surprised. When I left her last night and asked what she might need she said 'a T-bone'.
She mentions that she'll have the drainage tube in her nostril for one week. Now that's got to be anoying at times. Dr. McGillvary's assiatant surgeon was already in this morning early to check on Anne.
They have changed the morphine pump over to a 'dilotted' (hydromorphone) pump. I knew she didn't care much for the morphine but I know it served a good purpose for a while. The epidural is taking care of her stomach pretty well according to Anne, but it does hurt. I hope she is squeezing in a power nap now.
Hi to everyone and thanks for your continued good wishes, thoughts and prayers.
I was up 21 hours yesterday, starting with the early trip to Maine Med, and ending with the late overtime Celtics playoff game late last night (I admit, I fell asleep in my chair during the 3rd quarter). I slept like a rock until Anne called me at 5:30am 'to talk'. Then she called me again at 6:15 and woke me again 'to talk'. Point being,,, she is doing fantastic and she sounds great, if not just a bit tired. There’s a lot of relief in her voice too. She said the nurses come in and wake her too much, and it's been hard to get a decent block of time for any real rest. Opps, she just called again and is sounding pretty tired at this point.
The one real concern is that her blood pressure is low. They're working to find out why. She is great tho, and I’m so surprised. When I left her last night and asked what she might need she said 'a T-bone'.
She mentions that she'll have the drainage tube in her nostril for one week. Now that's got to be anoying at times. Dr. McGillvary's assiatant surgeon was already in this morning early to check on Anne.
They have changed the morphine pump over to a 'dilotted' (hydromorphone) pump. I knew she didn't care much for the morphine but I know it served a good purpose for a while. The epidural is taking care of her stomach pretty well according to Anne, but it does hurt. I hope she is squeezing in a power nap now.
Hi to everyone and thanks for your continued good wishes, thoughts and prayers.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Day of Surgery, 4pm
YEAH !! The good news came at 12:30pm when Dr. McGillvary came to the waiting room looking for Anne's family. He took us aside into a private room and explained that he was extremely pleased with how the surgery went, and with how Anne was doing.
He stated the tumor was small and that he had removed it. He explained that he removed the 2 lymphnodes that previously had been detected with cancer, and all other lymphnodes in the general area anywhere near those. He said he completed the planned work of removing Anne's esophagus, some of the stomach, reconstructed and moved the stomach, and connected it to her throat. It took 5 hours to do so.
The surgeon explained that Anne may only have to eat thru a feeding tube while she is in the hospital, in other words, she may be eating somewhat normally when she get's to go home. I'm relieved with that news as I wasn't looking forward to that training class or the process. By the way, the insurance company has authorized 9 days in here, but I don't think Anne will stay 'in' that long.
Paul, the excellent facilitator of the waiting room informed us that Anne wouldn't actually be going to ICU from Recovery as we expected. Rather, she'll be going directly from the Recovery area to the Richard's wing room 326.
About an hour after talking with Dr. McGillvary in the waiting area we were allowed to go in and see Anne in the recovery area. Anne had her eyes open and felt well enough to talk and try to crack some 'funnies', as usual. Don't get me wrong, she was extremely drugged and groggy, but using her thumb and index finger she grabbed a couple short hairs on top of her head before anouncing to the nurse that she'd like her to 'pull her puppet string' to raise her head a little bit. I just tried to encourage her, and let her know how well she did, how well Dr. McGillvary had done, and let her know that she was 'all fixed'.
Anne was moved up to the Richard's wing room 326 around 4pm. This is one of a number of COR rooms here (continual observation room). She'll be closely monitored here until she is moved again.
At this point, 6pm, Anne isn't having alot to say. She is trying to rest, and the nurses are just trying to make Anne more comfortable. Anne has alot of pain in one side of her neck where there is a large incision. For this pain she can push a morphine button every 10 minutes in order to get 2mgs pumped in. There is another large incision across her stomach. Anne has an epidural form of anesthesia in place which is there to take care of her lower torso including the stomach area. I think that is pumped into here lower back, but I don't know how long she'll have that installed. She hasn't complained about her stomach yet.
All in all, we're just so pleased with how the day went, how Anne is doing, and especially with the comments made by Dr. McGillvary. He gave us the report we had hoped for. The cancer 'mind game' is over now and I can tell that Anne is very much relieved. She can now focus solely on getting better.
Thanks to all again and again for your well wishes, thoughts, cards, and prayers.
He stated the tumor was small and that he had removed it. He explained that he removed the 2 lymphnodes that previously had been detected with cancer, and all other lymphnodes in the general area anywhere near those. He said he completed the planned work of removing Anne's esophagus, some of the stomach, reconstructed and moved the stomach, and connected it to her throat. It took 5 hours to do so.
The surgeon explained that Anne may only have to eat thru a feeding tube while she is in the hospital, in other words, she may be eating somewhat normally when she get's to go home. I'm relieved with that news as I wasn't looking forward to that training class or the process. By the way, the insurance company has authorized 9 days in here, but I don't think Anne will stay 'in' that long.
Paul, the excellent facilitator of the waiting room informed us that Anne wouldn't actually be going to ICU from Recovery as we expected. Rather, she'll be going directly from the Recovery area to the Richard's wing room 326.
About an hour after talking with Dr. McGillvary in the waiting area we were allowed to go in and see Anne in the recovery area. Anne had her eyes open and felt well enough to talk and try to crack some 'funnies', as usual. Don't get me wrong, she was extremely drugged and groggy, but using her thumb and index finger she grabbed a couple short hairs on top of her head before anouncing to the nurse that she'd like her to 'pull her puppet string' to raise her head a little bit. I just tried to encourage her, and let her know how well she did, how well Dr. McGillvary had done, and let her know that she was 'all fixed'.
Anne was moved up to the Richard's wing room 326 around 4pm. This is one of a number of COR rooms here (continual observation room). She'll be closely monitored here until she is moved again.
At this point, 6pm, Anne isn't having alot to say. She is trying to rest, and the nurses are just trying to make Anne more comfortable. Anne has alot of pain in one side of her neck where there is a large incision. For this pain she can push a morphine button every 10 minutes in order to get 2mgs pumped in. There is another large incision across her stomach. Anne has an epidural form of anesthesia in place which is there to take care of her lower torso including the stomach area. I think that is pumped into here lower back, but I don't know how long she'll have that installed. She hasn't complained about her stomach yet.
All in all, we're just so pleased with how the day went, how Anne is doing, and especially with the comments made by Dr. McGillvary. He gave us the report we had hoped for. The cancer 'mind game' is over now and I can tell that Anne is very much relieved. She can now focus solely on getting better.
Thanks to all again and again for your well wishes, thoughts, cards, and prayers.
Day of Surgery, 11am
We arose today at 4:30am which enabled us to get to Maine Medical Center ASU at 6.
Anne slept well overnight and was very relaxed and ready this morning.
By 7:15am I was saying good-bye to Anne as the doctors took her into another room for anesthesia. She was ready. She is expected to be in the OR for up to 6 hours, and in recovery for up to 5-6 hours as well. I may get in to see her during recovery for 5 minutes or so, but that's it.
It will be a long day of waiting, but I am encouraged (now 11am) since 'no news is good news' at this point in time. Wouldn't want the surgeon to give up early, so I'm relieved to know Dr. McGillvary is still in there doing his job, taking care of Anne.
We look forward to some good news today around 1pm.
Thanks for reading, praying, etc. Anne is comforted to know that you are all concerned for her, and (again) knowing there's an army of folks praying for her is very good medicine. It really helps. Thank you for being there.
More to come...........
Anne slept well overnight and was very relaxed and ready this morning.
By 7:15am I was saying good-bye to Anne as the doctors took her into another room for anesthesia. She was ready. She is expected to be in the OR for up to 6 hours, and in recovery for up to 5-6 hours as well. I may get in to see her during recovery for 5 minutes or so, but that's it.
It will be a long day of waiting, but I am encouraged (now 11am) since 'no news is good news' at this point in time. Wouldn't want the surgeon to give up early, so I'm relieved to know Dr. McGillvary is still in there doing his job, taking care of Anne.
We look forward to some good news today around 1pm.
Thanks for reading, praying, etc. Anne is comforted to know that you are all concerned for her, and (again) knowing there's an army of folks praying for her is very good medicine. It really helps. Thank you for being there.
More to come...........
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