Hey you guys,
Anne is doing real well again today, but as you might expect, when she feels well she raises heck, so right now she is snoring away after a morning full of having too much fun. She's usually a very light sleeper, but right now she is sleeping soundly and noises aren't waking her up. She must've gotten overtired from talking too much this am..
Today regarding her eating/drinking, she has graduated from small amounts of water to unlimited amounts of clear liquids.
Since Anne had some diarrhea last night her room now is under quarantine. The nurses have to gown up, and I'm not allowed to use the kitchen at this time. You might remember this happening when she was in the Gibson wing in January. You don't want to have diarrhea in this hospital and be using an abundance of antibiotics. If so, they immediately take precautions against the infection known as C.diff. If Anne is here for three more days, they'll test her each day for C.diff until there are 3 negative tests. She isn't allowed to have a roomate till then either, so maybe it has it's benefits. They have told Anne that the tests alone are not cause for keeping her in the hospital longer than she needs to be here. If you remember back in January, Anne had gone thru this regiment of testing and there was no infection.
An abundance of antibiotics can actually be the cause of c.diff because that will not only kill off the bad germs but it kills off the good germs too.
So we wait for the doctors orders to come in this evening to see where Anne stands. Her Physical Therapist person here said she is ok to go home, but the doctors have the final say.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fourteen Days after Surgery, 4:00pm
Hello Fans,
Well, we don't expect that Anne will be flying out of here today or tomorrow. Don't be alarmed, she is doing super good, and without any complications.
One of Dr. McGillivray's team came in an hour or so ago. He said orders will be placed soon requesting that Anne begin the process of drinking something light, followed by something heavier, then eat something light, followed by something heavier like ice cream, then eat something even heavier. Any one of these he warned may bother Anne's stomach, i.e. cause nausea, so they've already given some meds in anticipation of that. Her body will have to process that which she eats and drinks. Then home.
We don't know how long this process is going to take, and tho we tried we can't pin the doctors down to any timeline. We'll just do what we gotta do to get thru it, and do our best to enjoy the ride.
Well, we don't expect that Anne will be flying out of here today or tomorrow. Don't be alarmed, she is doing super good, and without any complications.
One of Dr. McGillivray's team came in an hour or so ago. He said orders will be placed soon requesting that Anne begin the process of drinking something light, followed by something heavier, then eat something light, followed by something heavier like ice cream, then eat something even heavier. Any one of these he warned may bother Anne's stomach, i.e. cause nausea, so they've already given some meds in anticipation of that. Her body will have to process that which she eats and drinks. Then home.
We don't know how long this process is going to take, and tho we tried we can't pin the doctors down to any timeline. We'll just do what we gotta do to get thru it, and do our best to enjoy the ride.
Fourteen Days after Surgery, 9:30am
Good morning friends,
Spoke with Anne earlier and she is doing great.
Her Barium swallow test, scheduled for 9am, should be happening right now.
She is encouraged that she'll be coming home soon, however we don't have any of those details yet. She must pass the test, and then we'll surely see the discharge nurse. Training will have to take place before she is discharged too, at least we expect so, i.e. how to mangage the feeding tube, and how to take care of the dressing on her neck incision. Visiting nurses will be coming to the house as needed too.
If (and when) she passes the swallow test we aren't sure whether she will then be asked to eat anything while in the hospital. Of course if she eats, then the food will need to pass by all 4 cheeks before they discharge her. I kinda think they will want to make sure all of that works before she comes home, but we'll see. They know best.
I am leaving for town again now, so thanks so much for all your prayers, cards, visits, flowers, gifts, etc. etc. etc.... Wish good things for Anne this day, thanks.......
Spoke with Anne earlier and she is doing great.
Her Barium swallow test, scheduled for 9am, should be happening right now.
She is encouraged that she'll be coming home soon, however we don't have any of those details yet. She must pass the test, and then we'll surely see the discharge nurse. Training will have to take place before she is discharged too, at least we expect so, i.e. how to mangage the feeding tube, and how to take care of the dressing on her neck incision. Visiting nurses will be coming to the house as needed too.
If (and when) she passes the swallow test we aren't sure whether she will then be asked to eat anything while in the hospital. Of course if she eats, then the food will need to pass by all 4 cheeks before they discharge her. I kinda think they will want to make sure all of that works before she comes home, but we'll see. They know best.
I am leaving for town again now, so thanks so much for all your prayers, cards, visits, flowers, gifts, etc. etc. etc.... Wish good things for Anne this day, thanks.......
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Thirteen Days after Surgery, 8:45am
Mornin everyone,
Anne called me first thing this morning, she's doing really well today and sounds wonderful. She has already had the chest tube removed from her left side this morning, and she's 100% better again. She is looking forward to seeing any visitors today.
She likes having the plan in place in front of her which Nurse Brenda wrote on her daily log board yesterday. It has encouraged her so much !!
She can hardly wait for the 'barium swallow' test tomorrow.
She has been listening to some talking books which she's found to be very enjoyable. Thanks to all of you for your cards, flowers, visits, well wishes, and prayers.
We expect some discharge planning to be happening tomorrow, and not sure what after that.
Anne called me first thing this morning, she's doing really well today and sounds wonderful. She has already had the chest tube removed from her left side this morning, and she's 100% better again. She is looking forward to seeing any visitors today.
She likes having the plan in place in front of her which Nurse Brenda wrote on her daily log board yesterday. It has encouraged her so much !!
She can hardly wait for the 'barium swallow' test tomorrow.
She has been listening to some talking books which she's found to be very enjoyable. Thanks to all of you for your cards, flowers, visits, well wishes, and prayers.
We expect some discharge planning to be happening tomorrow, and not sure what after that.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Twelve Days after Surgery, 5:35pm
Hello all,
Today Anne is resting comfortably. She had her right chest (drainage) tube removed this morning (after being told it wouldn't happen) and she immediately felt much better, maybe 50% better.
She took a one lap walk around the 3rd floor today too.
Anne's breathing is better now with the tube 'gone' from the right side. Breathing is still restricted on her left side of her chest. She will be having a chest xray tonight, and with a good result the left chest tube will be removed tomorrow. The thought of that brings on a big smiley face.
If the other tube is removed tomorrow there will be another chest xray tomorrow night. Nurse Brenda just told me the chest xray is done at least 6 hours after removing a chest tube to check and make sure that lung is fully expanded as it should be. They can look at the other lung as well to determine if there is any more fluid in it.
The Barium Swallow test should happen on Monday morning. I'm thinking if Anne passes that test there will be some discharge planning and home training going on on Monday.
So we have a good plan for tonight, tomorrow and Monday and we hope and pray for smooth sailin' till then.
The dressing on Anne's neck incision is still being changed twice per day, and Anne is still using oxygen and pain medications on a schedule. She still does breathing exercises to expand lung capacity.
Anne is much better off now, comfortable, and I have a feeling she won't want to be in here any more that what's necessary from here on out. It's been a long time.
Anne said she wouldn't mind if friends wanted to come in to visit tomorrow.
Today Anne is resting comfortably. She had her right chest (drainage) tube removed this morning (after being told it wouldn't happen) and she immediately felt much better, maybe 50% better.
She took a one lap walk around the 3rd floor today too.
Anne's breathing is better now with the tube 'gone' from the right side. Breathing is still restricted on her left side of her chest. She will be having a chest xray tonight, and with a good result the left chest tube will be removed tomorrow. The thought of that brings on a big smiley face.
If the other tube is removed tomorrow there will be another chest xray tomorrow night. Nurse Brenda just told me the chest xray is done at least 6 hours after removing a chest tube to check and make sure that lung is fully expanded as it should be. They can look at the other lung as well to determine if there is any more fluid in it.
The Barium Swallow test should happen on Monday morning. I'm thinking if Anne passes that test there will be some discharge planning and home training going on on Monday.
So we have a good plan for tonight, tomorrow and Monday and we hope and pray for smooth sailin' till then.
The dressing on Anne's neck incision is still being changed twice per day, and Anne is still using oxygen and pain medications on a schedule. She still does breathing exercises to expand lung capacity.
Anne is much better off now, comfortable, and I have a feeling she won't want to be in here any more that what's necessary from here on out. It's been a long time.
Anne said she wouldn't mind if friends wanted to come in to visit tomorrow.
Twelve Days after Surgery, 7:15am
Good mornin,
Anne had an up and down day yesterday, but she sounds great this morning. For the first time, her voice actually sounded normal again when she called at 7am today. I think there's some real healing going on in her throat now.
I just called Anne and she asks that you refrain from visiting today. She said she may be up for it later on today, but right now she isn't.
Yesterday, noonish, Anne coughed up some red (or pink) flem, and she got worried and decided she didn't want to take the Barium swallow test. She said she knew she would fail the test. She actually got pretty keyed up over it, causing discomfort and some real painful spasms in her back. Her doctors went with her idea to wait until Monday to do the test. This swallow test isn't a very pleasant thing to go thru. Anne said that the material they have you swallow tastes just awful.
During the afternoon she got calmed down and resting comfortably again. She then was taken down to Radiology for a chest xray to check on the fluid in her chest. We could see by looking at the drainage repositories that her right lung had not drained any fluid for the past day, however the left lung was still draining. Anne would love to get the tubes pulled. They are very uncomfortable. The doctors actually told us they would probably remove the right side tube today (Sat), but this morning they told Anne they would hold off till Sunday and hopefully remove both then. These tubes run in thru Anne's sides just down from her armpits. They run between the ribs and inside against the diaphram, causing pain.
Anne stated to me that it seems her bladder is finally waking up from the surgery. She is having to get up more frequently to exercise/empty it. She's going to start sitting in a chair again today, and will start moving and walking more. She has not been walking laps since the tubes were installed, but she is perking up to 'get moving' now.
Nurse Jenn explained to me yesterday that the kind of setbacks we've had seem huge to us, after all Anne had done so well for a week or so following the surgery, however for a recovery from a surgery of this magnitude, such 'bumps in the road' are common and to be expected, and we shouldn't be discourged.
The doctors were in changing her neck dressing when I called.
On Monday we expect to be talking with the discharge planning nurse again. She stopped in for a moment yesterday, just to touch base before going home for the weekend.
I hope I'm not repeating too many things in the blog the past few days. It seems like the news is repetitive, and to be honest all of the activities are sort of blending together for me lately. Not only that, but there are many many staff working on Anne's case, walking in and giving their thoughts and opinions all times of the day, and with that nothing seems to happen exactly as you are lead to believe. You know how selective hearing is........I'd also like to apologize if I am not able to keep up with any of your phone calls.
Have a good weekend all, and thanks for being there and for your continued support. Anne looks great, with rosey red cheeks, and is feeling much better minute by minute.
Anne had an up and down day yesterday, but she sounds great this morning. For the first time, her voice actually sounded normal again when she called at 7am today. I think there's some real healing going on in her throat now.
I just called Anne and she asks that you refrain from visiting today. She said she may be up for it later on today, but right now she isn't.
Yesterday, noonish, Anne coughed up some red (or pink) flem, and she got worried and decided she didn't want to take the Barium swallow test. She said she knew she would fail the test. She actually got pretty keyed up over it, causing discomfort and some real painful spasms in her back. Her doctors went with her idea to wait until Monday to do the test. This swallow test isn't a very pleasant thing to go thru. Anne said that the material they have you swallow tastes just awful.
During the afternoon she got calmed down and resting comfortably again. She then was taken down to Radiology for a chest xray to check on the fluid in her chest. We could see by looking at the drainage repositories that her right lung had not drained any fluid for the past day, however the left lung was still draining. Anne would love to get the tubes pulled. They are very uncomfortable. The doctors actually told us they would probably remove the right side tube today (Sat), but this morning they told Anne they would hold off till Sunday and hopefully remove both then. These tubes run in thru Anne's sides just down from her armpits. They run between the ribs and inside against the diaphram, causing pain.
Anne stated to me that it seems her bladder is finally waking up from the surgery. She is having to get up more frequently to exercise/empty it. She's going to start sitting in a chair again today, and will start moving and walking more. She has not been walking laps since the tubes were installed, but she is perking up to 'get moving' now.
Nurse Jenn explained to me yesterday that the kind of setbacks we've had seem huge to us, after all Anne had done so well for a week or so following the surgery, however for a recovery from a surgery of this magnitude, such 'bumps in the road' are common and to be expected, and we shouldn't be discourged.
The doctors were in changing her neck dressing when I called.
On Monday we expect to be talking with the discharge planning nurse again. She stopped in for a moment yesterday, just to touch base before going home for the weekend.
I hope I'm not repeating too many things in the blog the past few days. It seems like the news is repetitive, and to be honest all of the activities are sort of blending together for me lately. Not only that, but there are many many staff working on Anne's case, walking in and giving their thoughts and opinions all times of the day, and with that nothing seems to happen exactly as you are lead to believe. You know how selective hearing is........I'd also like to apologize if I am not able to keep up with any of your phone calls.
Have a good weekend all, and thanks for being there and for your continued support. Anne looks great, with rosey red cheeks, and is feeling much better minute by minute.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Eleven Days after Surgery, 10:30am
Hello friends,
I spoke with Anne this morning and she is doing ok. She awaits the Barium Swallow test scheduled for today. I hope she was a good girl and studied for it.
Anne's dressing on her neck had been freshened up early this morning. Last night it was changed promptly at 7pm. The wound is looking good, however worrysome as it is open and healing from inside out as you know.
Anne's breathing is improving ever so slowly. She has picked up again with the breathing exercises, and she is weening off of the oxygen now.
She isn't complaining about pain in the abdomen area at all, and that wound is looking especially good where the staples were removed and replaced with the steri-strips.
This morning Anne said she felt wiped out. I think it's related to the day she had on Wednesday. It hit me yesterday, and perhaps is catching up with her today.
Anne asks that you refrain from visiting today because rest is of key importance right now. Thanks for being there, for reading, praying, etc. Anne knows there is an Army of you folks concerned about her and it means the world to her. Thanks again.
I spoke with Anne this morning and she is doing ok. She awaits the Barium Swallow test scheduled for today. I hope she was a good girl and studied for it.
Anne's dressing on her neck had been freshened up early this morning. Last night it was changed promptly at 7pm. The wound is looking good, however worrysome as it is open and healing from inside out as you know.
Anne's breathing is improving ever so slowly. She has picked up again with the breathing exercises, and she is weening off of the oxygen now.
She isn't complaining about pain in the abdomen area at all, and that wound is looking especially good where the staples were removed and replaced with the steri-strips.
This morning Anne said she felt wiped out. I think it's related to the day she had on Wednesday. It hit me yesterday, and perhaps is catching up with her today.
Anne asks that you refrain from visiting today because rest is of key importance right now. Thanks for being there, for reading, praying, etc. Anne knows there is an Army of you folks concerned about her and it means the world to her. Thanks again.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Ten Days after Surgery, 8pm
Anne looks great tonight, with red cheeks again. She is getting up and down now when she needs to. It is painful and she's more out of breath, but it's improving steadily. She still has a hard time trying to breath deeply. It will be at least 3-5 days before she will be able to do that.
Anne had a nice day of rest today. She said she may have slept 5 hours today. Not straight thru of course.
Yesterday was such an extraordinary day that just about everyone paid the price being tired today.
Her right lung lining may be all finished draining fluid !! It looks like it hasn't drained any since 2pm. Her right lung liner has drained some since the last reading at 3pm. If one side stops draining, they can remove the tube on that side. Anne says they'll take an xray and make sure before removing any of the tubes.
The incision in Anne's neck is healing. The dressing is changed twice daily on schedule. It's a big gash there now since it had to be opened up because of the infection. Dr. McGillvary came in at 7pm while the dressing was being changed by Nurse Jenn. He put gloves on and stuck his finger right in there, which caused Anne some pain, and he did that to make sure there was nothing pooling or collecting in there. He said it looked very good, and the Nurse said it looked exactly as it should. I may have already mentioned that Anne said it may take a month for this incision to heal from the inside.
The nurses have said that it would be ok for me to bring Dixie in to see Anne. I would if Anne wanted me to, but I just haven't had time to even brush her lately and get her all shined up. Anne said she also needs her nails clipped. Maybe Dixie won't visit the hospital after all. I don't exactly need any extra trips to town and back anyway.
Anne has been coughing alot, like a good girl, to clear stuff from her throat.
Anne is supposed to have another Barrium swallow test tomorrow. I asked her to get studying so she can pass it this time.
Anne wants to thank you all for all of your prayers, positive thoughts, and cards.
Anne had a nice day of rest today. She said she may have slept 5 hours today. Not straight thru of course.
Yesterday was such an extraordinary day that just about everyone paid the price being tired today.
Her right lung lining may be all finished draining fluid !! It looks like it hasn't drained any since 2pm. Her right lung liner has drained some since the last reading at 3pm. If one side stops draining, they can remove the tube on that side. Anne says they'll take an xray and make sure before removing any of the tubes.
The incision in Anne's neck is healing. The dressing is changed twice daily on schedule. It's a big gash there now since it had to be opened up because of the infection. Dr. McGillvary came in at 7pm while the dressing was being changed by Nurse Jenn. He put gloves on and stuck his finger right in there, which caused Anne some pain, and he did that to make sure there was nothing pooling or collecting in there. He said it looked very good, and the Nurse said it looked exactly as it should. I may have already mentioned that Anne said it may take a month for this incision to heal from the inside.
The nurses have said that it would be ok for me to bring Dixie in to see Anne. I would if Anne wanted me to, but I just haven't had time to even brush her lately and get her all shined up. Anne said she also needs her nails clipped. Maybe Dixie won't visit the hospital after all. I don't exactly need any extra trips to town and back anyway.
Anne has been coughing alot, like a good girl, to clear stuff from her throat.
Anne is supposed to have another Barrium swallow test tomorrow. I asked her to get studying so she can pass it this time.
Anne wants to thank you all for all of your prayers, positive thoughts, and cards.
Ten Days after Surgery, 11:00am
Just spoke with Anne and she is sounding much better.
She is dozing in and out so far today and I think that is the best thing for her. She has been able to get up and out of bed this day, so that is a very good thing. She is bouncing back again.
My plan is to visit later on this afternoon, and watch TV with her tonight.
We ask that you please refrain from visiting for the next day or so, and rest assured knowing that Anne is on the rebound, needing to rest today.
Thanks for being there and for your continued prayers. I pray that the road smooths out going forward from here.
She is dozing in and out so far today and I think that is the best thing for her. She has been able to get up and out of bed this day, so that is a very good thing. She is bouncing back again.
My plan is to visit later on this afternoon, and watch TV with her tonight.
We ask that you please refrain from visiting for the next day or so, and rest assured knowing that Anne is on the rebound, needing to rest today.
Thanks for being there and for your continued prayers. I pray that the road smooths out going forward from here.
Ten Days after Surgery, 9:00am
Good morning,
Anne made it thru the procedure. They took her to Radiology at 10:45 and brought her back at 12:45. Anne was in much pain with the drainage tubes installed. Yesterday afternoon was a very trying time for Anne, and all of us present, and of course all those working on her case. I knew it was trouble when Anne's nurse went to get help from the charge nurse, then the charge nurse went looking for help from the nearest resident doctor. At one point there were perhaps 6 to 7 support people in the room when the pain was at it's worse.
Anne was totally uncomfortable following the insertion of the drainage tubes. At maybe 4pm she was more comfortable, and resting, however not moving a muscle. Lots of medications were carefully used yesterday. A large amount of fluid drained out from around Anne's lung cavity very quickly as soon as the tubes were inserted. Her chest, lungs, etc., went thru alot of change in a short period of time. The tubes brougnt great pain for Anne for a few hours with her lungs able again to move up in her chest and fill with air. These tubes go between her ribs and rest up against her diaphram and it wasn't pleasant, there was much concern.
Around 7pm when we adjusted her bed for her by lowering her head just a bit it caused Anne's pain level to go back up to a 10, but with meds and time, she settled down again and began to rest within an hour or so. Keep in mind that during the afternoon doctors worked hard to get her pain level to come 'down' to a 10 according to Anne.
She is going to be OK. Her breathing is difficult at this time however, and she'll need to rest, work, breath, move as much as possible and have patience to get better. No one is discouraged, she'll inprove but she will be in the hospital for 3-5 more days.
She has spoken with me twice this morning and she is sounding good, just a bit discouraged with the news of staying there for 3-5 more days. It really doesn't matter, just as long as she continues to improve and the doctors are able to fix her up.
We hope and pray that these setbacks, which Anne has fought to overcome, will be the end of the bumps in the road.
Anne made it thru the procedure. They took her to Radiology at 10:45 and brought her back at 12:45. Anne was in much pain with the drainage tubes installed. Yesterday afternoon was a very trying time for Anne, and all of us present, and of course all those working on her case. I knew it was trouble when Anne's nurse went to get help from the charge nurse, then the charge nurse went looking for help from the nearest resident doctor. At one point there were perhaps 6 to 7 support people in the room when the pain was at it's worse.
Anne was totally uncomfortable following the insertion of the drainage tubes. At maybe 4pm she was more comfortable, and resting, however not moving a muscle. Lots of medications were carefully used yesterday. A large amount of fluid drained out from around Anne's lung cavity very quickly as soon as the tubes were inserted. Her chest, lungs, etc., went thru alot of change in a short period of time. The tubes brougnt great pain for Anne for a few hours with her lungs able again to move up in her chest and fill with air. These tubes go between her ribs and rest up against her diaphram and it wasn't pleasant, there was much concern.
Around 7pm when we adjusted her bed for her by lowering her head just a bit it caused Anne's pain level to go back up to a 10, but with meds and time, she settled down again and began to rest within an hour or so. Keep in mind that during the afternoon doctors worked hard to get her pain level to come 'down' to a 10 according to Anne.
She is going to be OK. Her breathing is difficult at this time however, and she'll need to rest, work, breath, move as much as possible and have patience to get better. No one is discouraged, she'll inprove but she will be in the hospital for 3-5 more days.
She has spoken with me twice this morning and she is sounding good, just a bit discouraged with the news of staying there for 3-5 more days. It really doesn't matter, just as long as she continues to improve and the doctors are able to fix her up.
We hope and pray that these setbacks, which Anne has fought to overcome, will be the end of the bumps in the road.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Nine Days after Surgery, 9:30am
Good morning,
Anne called me at 5:30am today and she sounded 100 percent better than last night. I was glad to get that call.
I got in here at 7:30am and Anne is resting very comfortably now. I'm relieved at how well she is today compared to how nervous and agitated she was last night. She is in good spirits and talkative once again. She isn't worried about the procedure that will happen today.
They have started some morphine this mornin, I think for her neck pain or else just so that she relaxes before the procedure, and she still gets the Oxycodone for the stomach pain. By the way, the Dr. removed the staples (20) in Annes stomach this morning, and he applied some of those steri-strips (10).
They will be tending to her neck dressing twice a day, treating it with wet (saline) and dry gause. This mornin the doctor checked the newly opened incision and told us it is looking good. It will heal from the inside out now.
It is now 10am and we continue to wait to know when Anne will be taken downstairs to Radiology. That is where Anne will go to have tubes installed (today) to drain the fluid from the lining around her lungs. Once that is done she'll be even more comfortable because her breathing will finally be good, and she'll be able to start walking laps again.
Anne called me at 5:30am today and she sounded 100 percent better than last night. I was glad to get that call.
I got in here at 7:30am and Anne is resting very comfortably now. I'm relieved at how well she is today compared to how nervous and agitated she was last night. She is in good spirits and talkative once again. She isn't worried about the procedure that will happen today.
They have started some morphine this mornin, I think for her neck pain or else just so that she relaxes before the procedure, and she still gets the Oxycodone for the stomach pain. By the way, the Dr. removed the staples (20) in Annes stomach this morning, and he applied some of those steri-strips (10).
They will be tending to her neck dressing twice a day, treating it with wet (saline) and dry gause. This mornin the doctor checked the newly opened incision and told us it is looking good. It will heal from the inside out now.
It is now 10am and we continue to wait to know when Anne will be taken downstairs to Radiology. That is where Anne will go to have tubes installed (today) to drain the fluid from the lining around her lungs. Once that is done she'll be even more comfortable because her breathing will finally be good, and she'll be able to start walking laps again.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Eight Days after Surgery, 11:30pm
Hello All,
Well, it would be an understatement to say that today could have gone better. Anne ran into some bumps in the road.
Anne was told that the next Barium Swallow test would be done Friday. She won't be able to think about eating, drinking, or going home till sometime after that.
Late this afternoon the surgeons team decided (what seemed suddenly) that they needed to open the incision in Anne's neck because they suspected infection around the incision. The way it sounded when this was explained to us earlier in the afternoon was that the bottom end of the incision would be tapped into and fluid would be allowed to drain. That was not the case. After I had gone for the day the surgeons came to Anne's room after supper time and let her know they were going to open the entire incision. This pretty much put Anne into a atate of shock. She totally didn't expect this, she was alone, and she was very nervous. She called me and said her body was shaking, so I came back in tonight however the job had already been done. Anne was still under the influence of the drugs from the procedure, and she was dreaming like crazy, halucinating, and talking about her dreams. She talked about how they stuck needles in her neck all up and down the incision before cutting her skin. Finally around 10pm Anne calmed down, and was resting comfortably. The incision will monitored closely and be treated so that it will heal from the inside. She is on increased anti-biotics now.
We also learned today that tomorrow Anne will be taken down to radioloty for another procedure. They need to insert tubing (I believe thru her back) and up against the lining of the lungs to drain the excess fluid that has been in there for the past few days. This fluid is the reason for Anne's breathing difficulties this past weekend. Anne isn't looking forward to this. I will be back in there first thing in the morning so I can be with her up until this procedure happens. As you can expect, Anne is anxious about this too.
Regarding the failed Barium Swallow test, the leak that was detected is expected to heal on it's own in due time.
As you can see, not alot of good news today. We look forward to these steps being completed, and that they make things easier for Anne so she can get better soon. As you can imagine, these procedures are not without risk, so please continue to keep Anne in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for being there.
Well, it would be an understatement to say that today could have gone better. Anne ran into some bumps in the road.
Anne was told that the next Barium Swallow test would be done Friday. She won't be able to think about eating, drinking, or going home till sometime after that.
Late this afternoon the surgeons team decided (what seemed suddenly) that they needed to open the incision in Anne's neck because they suspected infection around the incision. The way it sounded when this was explained to us earlier in the afternoon was that the bottom end of the incision would be tapped into and fluid would be allowed to drain. That was not the case. After I had gone for the day the surgeons came to Anne's room after supper time and let her know they were going to open the entire incision. This pretty much put Anne into a atate of shock. She totally didn't expect this, she was alone, and she was very nervous. She called me and said her body was shaking, so I came back in tonight however the job had already been done. Anne was still under the influence of the drugs from the procedure, and she was dreaming like crazy, halucinating, and talking about her dreams. She talked about how they stuck needles in her neck all up and down the incision before cutting her skin. Finally around 10pm Anne calmed down, and was resting comfortably. The incision will monitored closely and be treated so that it will heal from the inside. She is on increased anti-biotics now.
We also learned today that tomorrow Anne will be taken down to radioloty for another procedure. They need to insert tubing (I believe thru her back) and up against the lining of the lungs to drain the excess fluid that has been in there for the past few days. This fluid is the reason for Anne's breathing difficulties this past weekend. Anne isn't looking forward to this. I will be back in there first thing in the morning so I can be with her up until this procedure happens. As you can expect, Anne is anxious about this too.
Regarding the failed Barium Swallow test, the leak that was detected is expected to heal on it's own in due time.
As you can see, not alot of good news today. We look forward to these steps being completed, and that they make things easier for Anne so she can get better soon. As you can imagine, these procedures are not without risk, so please continue to keep Anne in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for being there.
Eight Days after Surgery, 11:30am
Hi Friends,
Well, we have mixed reviews today. Anne is resting fairly comfortably, however, she is given oxygen which helps with her breathing. She still has the pulmonary effusions (excess fluid around the lungs) which is the culprit as far as Anne not being able to get deep breaths. She described it as feeling like a tight bungie cord around her chest, or a bra 3 sizes too small. Somewhat uncomfortable for her, so she does her best to relax thru it.
They swapped out her double IV pole for a single pole today. It was pretty entertaining to watch the nurses swap and move all the components with all the tubing from one pole to the other.
Anne's potasium is low, so they give that thru the IV, and at the same time they give Lasix (as a diaretic) to make her pee more to get rid of salt related fluid. It's kinda like shoveling 'you know what' against the tide, but she needs both going on at the moment.
Anne isn't generally as happy as she has been to date. She eagerly awaits a visit from the surgeon because she did not pass the 'barrium swallow test' this mornin and she wants answers as far as what that means. The test showed there is a leak in there where the surgery happened, and what we know about this so far is that it means no eating or drinking yet, nor going home yet. We'll know more about what the plan is shortly,,,, we hope.
They completed a chest catscan this morning to rule out any blood clot issues, and there is none of that. It was said that a potential cause for shortness of breath could be a blood clot that moves from the legs to the lungs. This was ruled out.
Anne is still doing the coughing and breathing exercises. She walked once today (so far) and at the moment is 'not on top of her game' so she doesn't feel like walking right now. She'll bounce back. A hospital stay can't be all fun and roses, right??
I sense she may be a bit discouraged this mornin with the recent developments, however she rests fairly comfortably with the oxygen, and she just needs to be patient as she waits for news and plans from the surgeon or others who know.
Patience is a virtue.........
Well, we have mixed reviews today. Anne is resting fairly comfortably, however, she is given oxygen which helps with her breathing. She still has the pulmonary effusions (excess fluid around the lungs) which is the culprit as far as Anne not being able to get deep breaths. She described it as feeling like a tight bungie cord around her chest, or a bra 3 sizes too small. Somewhat uncomfortable for her, so she does her best to relax thru it.
They swapped out her double IV pole for a single pole today. It was pretty entertaining to watch the nurses swap and move all the components with all the tubing from one pole to the other.
Anne's potasium is low, so they give that thru the IV, and at the same time they give Lasix (as a diaretic) to make her pee more to get rid of salt related fluid. It's kinda like shoveling 'you know what' against the tide, but she needs both going on at the moment.
Anne isn't generally as happy as she has been to date. She eagerly awaits a visit from the surgeon because she did not pass the 'barrium swallow test' this mornin and she wants answers as far as what that means. The test showed there is a leak in there where the surgery happened, and what we know about this so far is that it means no eating or drinking yet, nor going home yet. We'll know more about what the plan is shortly,,,, we hope.
They completed a chest catscan this morning to rule out any blood clot issues, and there is none of that. It was said that a potential cause for shortness of breath could be a blood clot that moves from the legs to the lungs. This was ruled out.
Anne is still doing the coughing and breathing exercises. She walked once today (so far) and at the moment is 'not on top of her game' so she doesn't feel like walking right now. She'll bounce back. A hospital stay can't be all fun and roses, right??
I sense she may be a bit discouraged this mornin with the recent developments, however she rests fairly comfortably with the oxygen, and she just needs to be patient as she waits for news and plans from the surgeon or others who know.
Patience is a virtue.........
Monday, May 31, 2010
Seven Days after Surgery, 1:40pm
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.
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.
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