We're going home!
(see you there)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
One More Time... for good measure?
It was a crazy day, and an even crazier night. Susan wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything...before the CT Scan at 12:30 am. Wide awake at 4 am. etc. etc.
But this morning, the docs woke us up to tell us the CT scan didn't show any abcess or anything else of concern. Her incision is quieting down, Susan is feeling better, and ... they want her to start on clear liquids .... maybe upgrade to solids by this evening...and if all goes well, she can come home tomorrow morning!!!
I could feel the bottom drop out of this hospital room. How disappointing! But here we are, looking toward (not necessarily "forward to") another day at Duke.
But this time we have a room with a view... of the front entrance of the hospital.
Susan just had a popsicle and coffee and is reading the paper.
Her room number is 919 681-2319.
But this morning, the docs woke us up to tell us the CT scan didn't show any abcess or anything else of concern. Her incision is quieting down, Susan is feeling better, and ... they want her to start on clear liquids .... maybe upgrade to solids by this evening...and if all goes well, she can come home tomorrow morning!!!
I could feel the bottom drop out of this hospital room. How disappointing! But here we are, looking toward (not necessarily "forward to") another day at Duke.
But this time we have a room with a view... of the front entrance of the hospital.
Susan just had a popsicle and coffee and is reading the paper.
Her room number is 919 681-2319.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Sorry to Leave You Hanging
I realize some of you are really reading this...and wonder what happened to Thursday. It's been a pretty crazy week. Susan's cellulitis has been a real pain to deal with (literally!) So, the surgeon wanted to see her today in clinic. When she looked at the incision site, she began talking about how it's probably healing just fine... but the only way to really be sure nothing else was infected, was to admit her and get some more blood work, a CT scan, etc. So, we are back at Duke Hospital, most likely just for overnight. They don't expect to find anything hiding, but they are being conservative and cautious. That makes Susan and me feel much more comfotable. Hopefully we'll be back home tomorrow, and Susan will continue to get stronger and heal.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
And today WAS definitely another day!
Who would have thought we'd spend a good part of today back at Duke Hospital? Susan was actually starting to feel better (than yesterday, at least)... when her incision site became red hot and very painful. So, we just got home from several hours in the E.R. where she got IV antibiotics, pain medicine, and fluids. We came home with a fistful of new prescriptions, and will continue the pain pills, anti-nausea medicine, and two different double strength antibiotics. We are SO glad she was not admitted again...so grateful to be home again instead of on the 2nd floor. Hopefully this will turn out to be just a superficial thing, not involving the surgery itself.
It's just time for even more rest, and diligence about taking the meds so all this clears up.
Thanks to our favorite "doc" who made a housecall in the middle of all of this uncertainty.
Maggi and Susan
It's just time for even more rest, and diligence about taking the meds so all this clears up.
Thanks to our favorite "doc" who made a housecall in the middle of all of this uncertainty.
Maggi and Susan
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Are we having fun yet?
Susan says, NOPE, not yet.
Today has been the hardest day yet. Not sure why, exactly. But the fever and nausea don't help. We're trying to get the meds balanced with coercing her to eat at least a little bite before taking them. Somehow it was easier in the hospital -- which isn't usually the case. I'm guessing it is just day-to-day progression, and she will gradually feel better. She's feeling pretty puny, and not much up for visitors, unfortunately. Certainly not up for bloggin.
AND... Tomorrow is another day.
Today has been the hardest day yet. Not sure why, exactly. But the fever and nausea don't help. We're trying to get the meds balanced with coercing her to eat at least a little bite before taking them. Somehow it was easier in the hospital -- which isn't usually the case. I'm guessing it is just day-to-day progression, and she will gradually feel better. She's feeling pretty puny, and not much up for visitors, unfortunately. Certainly not up for bloggin.
AND... Tomorrow is another day.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Home again
It's true. Susan is home. With meds and juices and a watermelon chilling. Janie brought tomatoes and corn, and a special pillow for Susan.
It's a difficult transition, to know how to be comfortable, when nothing really appeals to you to eat or drink, you have no energy to do anything beyond lying down, sleeping, sitting up, sleeping, taking medicine, sleeping, or walking around a hospital floor... But here you are -- an entire house, home, with mail and kitties and computers... and all you want to do is sleep, except you're tired of sleeping, and too uncomfortable to sit up. Day by day, we'll find distractions that get her through the day, until she has energy to pick and choose what she does.
There will be lots of napping, and I will have to resume some sort of work schedule, so visits are welcome (especially when I've got to be gone -- I hate to leave her alone -- especially Tuesdays and Thursdays, late morning to early afternoon. ) Home is 929-1213 Her cell is 698-5645.
We'll make it through this transition period, in time for me to have my knee surgery in August ! Geez!
Thanks for your help and good wishes.
Maggi
It's a difficult transition, to know how to be comfortable, when nothing really appeals to you to eat or drink, you have no energy to do anything beyond lying down, sleeping, sitting up, sleeping, taking medicine, sleeping, or walking around a hospital floor... But here you are -- an entire house, home, with mail and kitties and computers... and all you want to do is sleep, except you're tired of sleeping, and too uncomfortable to sit up. Day by day, we'll find distractions that get her through the day, until she has energy to pick and choose what she does.
There will be lots of napping, and I will have to resume some sort of work schedule, so visits are welcome (especially when I've got to be gone -- I hate to leave her alone -- especially Tuesdays and Thursdays, late morning to early afternoon. ) Home is 929-1213 Her cell is 698-5645.
We'll make it through this transition period, in time for me to have my knee surgery in August ! Geez!
Thanks for your help and good wishes.
Maggi
Its official, Susu is home, guess how I knew so quickly...Janie called with utter excitment in her voice...and she just flew out of the drive way headed to Carrboro...picture this...
crochet bag, pasta salad, chicken salad, gosh only knows what else... and a smile on her face a mile wide...as my dad use to say ---Go Janie Go---....
crochet bag, pasta salad, chicken salad, gosh only knows what else... and a smile on her face a mile wide...as my dad use to say ---Go Janie Go---....
It's a new week!
Happy Monday! Susan just asked where breakfast was! A first. She is stable, feeling more like a woman who had surgery last week, than a train wreck... and we're going home. All of the teams have been by. Some say it will be sometime before noon. Some say, "Before Midnight." And so, we wait. But we will be home today sometime where Susan can take over.
Thanks for all the comments, visits, suggestions for food she might be interested in, and my Chinese food! Yum. See you on the flip side.
Thanks for all the comments, visits, suggestions for food she might be interested in, and my Chinese food! Yum. See you on the flip side.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday "services"
It's been a day of services... I think we've seen them all -- the IV team, the Pain service, the surgical team member -- And no one we recognized, since it's Sunday. We watched Toy Story 3 on my computer last night, but neither of us could stay awake for the entire thing. So, after the IV team came to insert a new line (using ultrasound so they could see when the needle got into the middle of the vein!!)...we slept... Until they woke her for vital signs, followed about an hour later by someone with strong perfume who insisted Susan get up out of bed to get weighed. Yes, really! I think we were both too asleep to argue, which I'm ashamed of now. But then when Susan had a headache, they couldn't give her anything. etc. etc. So, at some inhumane hour, Susan was wide awake. I suggested she might want to watch the end of Toy Story 3. She did!! Lucky for me.
Susan's had more pain today than before, so this afternoon they switched her to a new pain medicine. And we want to make sure it's the right one before deciding to go home. (At home we won't have IV teams and new pain medicines to try.) We don't want to end up back in the ER!
But I decided she needed a change of scenery, as in SOME scenery... so I got a wheelchair and we took a ride to the lobby to see green plants and sunshine and the fountain. Then we rode thru the cafeteria to see if any food appealed to her. Sort of success. The riding really wore her out, so she took a nice nap.
She enjoyed the visits last night and today... we appreciate all the time, effort, and cost of parking up here at Duke! And special thanks to K & T for visiting our kitty.
Susan is aiming for leaving tomorrow, if all goes well with the new pain management decisions.
Then, from home, Susan will take over the blog.
Thanks to you all,
Maggi ...for Susan
Susan's had more pain today than before, so this afternoon they switched her to a new pain medicine. And we want to make sure it's the right one before deciding to go home. (At home we won't have IV teams and new pain medicines to try.) We don't want to end up back in the ER!
But I decided she needed a change of scenery, as in SOME scenery... so I got a wheelchair and we took a ride to the lobby to see green plants and sunshine and the fountain. Then we rode thru the cafeteria to see if any food appealed to her. Sort of success. The riding really wore her out, so she took a nice nap.
She enjoyed the visits last night and today... we appreciate all the time, effort, and cost of parking up here at Duke! And special thanks to K & T for visiting our kitty.
Susan is aiming for leaving tomorrow, if all goes well with the new pain management decisions.
Then, from home, Susan will take over the blog.
Thanks to you all,
Maggi ...for Susan
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Clean is good
Susan is moving around more easily. She ate a bite of chicken, a couple bites of watermelon, a couple bites of tuna sandwich (not a great idea), and ... have a seat... most of a Nutty Buddy! Yep.
Then she walked again and ...have a seat... Took a shower and washed her hair... with the IV pole, IVs in both hands wrapped in plastic and tape! (again, I wish I had a camera!)
So, no matter what happens next... at least she's clean!
Then she walked again and ...have a seat... Took a shower and washed her hair... with the IV pole, IVs in both hands wrapped in plastic and tape! (again, I wish I had a camera!)
So, no matter what happens next... at least she's clean!
"LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER"
That picture is a fine example of "LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER" ....the funny thing is Alan had one of those pink hair nets in his pocket as we left the pre-op room ???? He must have been thinking the same thing...
I admit to taking the picture, but look at that smile on her face...she didn't give me one of those "YOU BETTER PUT THAT CAMERA DOWN OR ELSE"...hehehehehe
I no doubt,have one of the best sisters EVER...
Cheers
Di
I admit to taking the picture, but look at that smile on her face...she didn't give me one of those "YOU BETTER PUT THAT CAMERA DOWN OR ELSE"...hehehehehe
I no doubt,have one of the best sisters EVER...
Cheers
Di
Saturday is a "Day Off!"
Tammy stayed with Susan last night, which was a welcome gift! I got enough sleep (I'm sure Tammy didn't) -- and got to tend to our sick kitty and other things at home. THANKS, TAMMY !!
It was a difficult night, mostly due to nausea and pain management. But good news! Susan is feeling better today.
She has a different pain medicine (pills). The epidural in her back is out. The catheter is out. So she's getting up as needed. She is now walking around the halls without the walker. She isn't supposed to be eating a lot, and certainly doesn't feel like it. So, she is eating tiny "snacks" of crackers, applesauce, scrambled egg, watermelon, apple juice, tea, water, and resting and sleeping as much as she can. Evidently throughout many of your visits.
They are concentrating on managing the pain and... what do you call those things the bloodwork measures, like potassium, etc.? Minerals? Electrolytes?
Susan definitely looks tons more like her self. She won't be going home today, which is a big relief. And we'll just see about tomorrow when it comes. Talk about living in the moment! This is the best practice for that.
Her phone number here in the room is (919) 681-2101.
It was a difficult night, mostly due to nausea and pain management. But good news! Susan is feeling better today.
She has a different pain medicine (pills). The epidural in her back is out. The catheter is out. So she's getting up as needed. She is now walking around the halls without the walker. She isn't supposed to be eating a lot, and certainly doesn't feel like it. So, she is eating tiny "snacks" of crackers, applesauce, scrambled egg, watermelon, apple juice, tea, water, and resting and sleeping as much as she can. Evidently throughout many of your visits.
They are concentrating on managing the pain and... what do you call those things the bloodwork measures, like potassium, etc.? Minerals? Electrolytes?
Susan definitely looks tons more like her self. She won't be going home today, which is a big relief. And we'll just see about tomorrow when it comes. Talk about living in the moment! This is the best practice for that.
Friday, July 22, 2011
A New Chapter
Susan walked two laps around the floor, sat up in the chair, and has been drinking as much water, tea and apple juice as she can. She is transitioning away from the morphine from the epidural (now stopped), to oral pain pills. Not an easy or fun one, but necessary for her to be able to go home...whenever that is. Tonight could be difficult, but tomorrow's another day.
I wish I'd thought ahead to bring a camera, so I could take some crazy (embarrassing) pictures of her to post here...with her yellow surgical socks, walking down the hall attached to so many lines.
But I'll just let you all imagine.
The nurses, the doctors, and all the visits have been great -- Susan is in good hands.
I wish I'd thought ahead to bring a camera, so I could take some crazy (embarrassing) pictures of her to post here...with her yellow surgical socks, walking down the hall attached to so many lines.
But I'll just let you all imagine.
The nurses, the doctors, and all the visits have been great -- Susan is in good hands.
On the Fast Track
After Dr. Thacker came in this morning, we clarified a few things: -
1. Susan can now eat anything she wants (with the suggestion to go easy... eat soft things)... so she had scrambled eggs and biscuit and tea and a sip of very bad coffee. Susan even filled out menu choices for tomorrow!
2. Dr. Thacker recommended that getting the epidural out today would be best... would correct the itching, the low BP, and would be consistent with Susan being on the Fast Track... to try to get out of here Saturday morning. (since she's doing so well).
3. The IV fluids are out, and Susan is on a regimen of walking, breathing exercises, and drinking lots of fluids and eating ...to get her body "awake" and ready to be on her own.
Of course, she needs to have her pain managed with oral pain meds. before she goes home. So, we'll just work toward that goal today. She is sleepy, itchy, and motivated!
I read her your comments ...and re-read them in case she forgot. They are much appreciated. She feels your support and good wishes.
Thanks
Maggi and Susan
1. Susan can now eat anything she wants (with the suggestion to go easy... eat soft things)... so she had scrambled eggs and biscuit and tea and a sip of very bad coffee. Susan even filled out menu choices for tomorrow!
2. Dr. Thacker recommended that getting the epidural out today would be best... would correct the itching, the low BP, and would be consistent with Susan being on the Fast Track... to try to get out of here Saturday morning. (since she's doing so well).
3. The IV fluids are out, and Susan is on a regimen of walking, breathing exercises, and drinking lots of fluids and eating ...to get her body "awake" and ready to be on her own.
Of course, she needs to have her pain managed with oral pain meds. before she goes home. So, we'll just work toward that goal today. She is sleepy, itchy, and motivated!
I read her your comments ...and re-read them in case she forgot. They are much appreciated. She feels your support and good wishes.
Thanks
Maggi and Susan
Friday morning
Susan sat up in a chair last night for a couple of hours. She drank tea and ate a bit of watermelon. She had an itchy night... (they say now it is a common reaction to the epidural). She wanted to get up and try walking, but because her blood pressure was low, the "medical opinion" was to wait to avoid falling. (they say today that low BP is another common response to the epidural). But Susan wouldn't trade the epidural pain management for anything. She still claims to be in NO pain at all.
The visits began at 3 am. Then the medical student at 4. Then the entire surgical team at 5:30... where she got permission to try walking even with her low BP, and to try real soft food today. As soon as the team left, Susan asked the nurse to help her get up...and she walked all the way around the floor with a high walker just to support her arms. She did fine!
We'll be getting Benadryl for the itching...(it's hard to scratch the entire surface of your body!)
And now Susan is sitting in the chair, playing scrabble on her iPad! And it's not even light outside.
The visits began at 3 am. Then the medical student at 4. Then the entire surgical team at 5:30... where she got permission to try walking even with her low BP, and to try real soft food today. As soon as the team left, Susan asked the nurse to help her get up...and she walked all the way around the floor with a high walker just to support her arms. She did fine!
We'll be getting Benadryl for the itching...(it's hard to scratch the entire surface of your body!)
And now Susan is sitting in the chair, playing scrabble on her iPad! And it's not even light outside.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Susan Gets A Room
Susan is in a room on the 2nd floor of Duke North. Room 2101.
For now, she sleeps.
But she has been very alert following surgery, got to eat some ice chips, could answer all the questions (with the correct answers!), and is resting comfortably.
In fact, she claims to feel NO PAIN at all. Zero.
The resident wants her to exercise her lungs when she wakes up... so she'll have a breathing machine soon.
She also has these "leggin's" that are like little pillows, that pump up and compress her legs, then relax... to prevent blood clots.
And of course, she's still hooked to IVs and oxygen, etc. but seems pretty relaxed/sleepy.
Her body will heal with lots of rest, but first she must sleep off this general anesthesia.
I have told her so many of you "commented" with good wishes and hugs. She said, "you can show me those tomorrow."
...so this might be "Good Nite" until the morning, when she will get to eat breakfast.
Thanks,
Maggi
For now, she sleeps.
But she has been very alert following surgery, got to eat some ice chips, could answer all the questions (with the correct answers!), and is resting comfortably.
In fact, she claims to feel NO PAIN at all. Zero.
The resident wants her to exercise her lungs when she wakes up... so she'll have a breathing machine soon.
She also has these "leggin's" that are like little pillows, that pump up and compress her legs, then relax... to prevent blood clots.
And of course, she's still hooked to IVs and oxygen, etc. but seems pretty relaxed/sleepy.
Her body will heal with lots of rest, but first she must sleep off this general anesthesia.
I have told her so many of you "commented" with good wishes and hugs. She said, "you can show me those tomorrow."
...so this might be "Good Nite" until the morning, when she will get to eat breakfast.
Thanks,
Maggi
She's OUT!!
Dr. Thacker came out and spoke with us. The surgery took less time than they thought it might. Susan's anesthesia and epidural for pain, worked really well. She got to do it laproscopically (with tiny incisions), removed the obviously diseased part of her colon, but there were no surprises. The doctor said everything went really well, and we should be able to go see her in Recovery in an hour or less... where she will be able to drink something.
Then later today, if Susan feels like it, she can eat applesauce (Susan's wish for her "first meal")... and maybe even snacks tonight. Plus, she might even get up out of bed tonight, since this kind of epidural doesn't make it impossible to use your legs, etc.
And she might get the epidural out tomorrow???!!!
We are delighted. Breathing a lot easier now.
Who knows?
Maybe the next time I post will include her room number and telephone number!
And the next one, might be Susan blogging herself.
I think celebration is appropriate at this point.
More soon.
Maggi
Then later today, if Susan feels like it, she can eat applesauce (Susan's wish for her "first meal")... and maybe even snacks tonight. Plus, she might even get up out of bed tonight, since this kind of epidural doesn't make it impossible to use your legs, etc.
And she might get the epidural out tomorrow???!!!
We are delighted. Breathing a lot easier now.
Who knows?
Maybe the next time I post will include her room number and telephone number!
And the next one, might be Susan blogging herself.
I think celebration is appropriate at this point.
More soon.
Maggi
Update from the O.R.
Just got a message from the Duke O.R. It said: "Susan's surgery is progressing as planned. She is doing well per the surgery."
Next update in about 2 hours.
Next update in about 2 hours.
Surgery has Started
We all got to go back and see Susan (who was smiling for the first time in 24 hours!) as anesthesiology had just finished getting her consent, etc. And luckily, Dr. Julie Thacker, the surgeon, came in and got to meet the family. We just got a call that surgery had begun at 8:39. Our next call will be in a couple of hours, just to say everything is going as planned.
So, now we wait....and wait.
So, now we wait....and wait.
Always brighter in the morning
It was a rocky night, but morning came (if you call 4 am "morning"!) We have staked out our space in the surgical waiting room -- with Janie, Dianne and Alan -- waiting for a chance to go back and speak to Susan one more time before they get to work. Surgery still scheduled for 7:30. We'll be looking for humor .
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Anywhere but here!
I think Susan would rather be battling the black flies in Minnesota ...
...Or kicking back in the canoe.......Or spending an afternoon with a chicken!
...Or even portaging the food pack, rather than being here tonight. But she'll be in la-la land in 8 hours.Lift Off!
Susan's surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning. (That's great news!) We will arrive at Duke at 5:30 am.
I will have my computer with me, so I will update as I hear information. Please feel free to leave comments here, and I will get them to Susan as soon as she is awake.
Think easy. Think clear vision, and accurate hands of the surgeon!
Maggi
I will have my computer with me, so I will update as I hear information. Please feel free to leave comments here, and I will get them to Susan as soon as she is awake.
Think easy. Think clear vision, and accurate hands of the surgeon!
Maggi
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Susan looks forward to Summer Camp at Duke
Susan is looking forward to preparing for summer camp at Duke University Hospital. She will arrive there (we think the 3rd floor) on Thursday, July 21, 2011. She is expected to be at "summer camp" for 3 - 5 days.
This is where you can view regular updates from me during and after the surgery, until she is able to post her own. Thanks for all your good thoughts, prayers, and offers to help.
Maggi
Check here often: http://www.susanssummer.blogspot.com/
This is where you can view regular updates from me during and after the surgery, until she is able to post her own. Thanks for all your good thoughts, prayers, and offers to help.
Maggi
Check here often: http://www.susanssummer.blogspot.com/
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