Shell has shown continued improvement. She is still in lots of pain but is pushing through with great determination and focus. She did 3 seperate walks around the ward. One for each of her kids. She must be dedicating the big walk out of the hospital to me.
It was so nice to have her sit up in the chair and for us to have a great conversation. We know that the journey is just starting and that there will be good and bad days. This was the first good day that we will enjoy until tomorrow. As each day will pose new challenges.
Shell was given a great compliment by one of the nurses tonight.The nurse couldn't believe Shell had kids that old because her skin was so nice. No wrinkles without make up. I was given no such compliment and by looking at me it was easier for her to believe.
Let us all pray and hope that tomorrow is another step forward.
Good night from Big Bobby Blogger.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Eat,Pray,Walk
Shell had a tough night as she was in lots of pain due to activity. She was in discomfort, as well as very nauseous. They had her sit up again, though with great effort and lots of pain.
Then out of a scene from Grey"s Anatomy, the young 2nd year resident shows up. (He was in the initial surgery). We discussed her situation and he was able to prescribe a different anti-nauseant. This made a big difference and allowed her to walk around the ward. When I commented that she is walking so fast that her hair is standing up,she was not impressed. I did get a good laugh from her nurse though. After her walk she was in lots of pain ,so they gave her something for pain mixed with an anti-nauseant. After sleeping for half hour she was the most coherent since coming out of surgery. She was able to get up and walk to bathroom in order for them to wash up.
When I came back form a little break they had her up in the chair ready for lunch. At this time Dr. Souf came in and examined her. He is not ready to give up on the right flap. Although there are some inconsistencies with a healthy flap, there are also signs that the flap is working. He wants to wait and see. Says it is imperative, that she walks to get the blood flowing. They also want to take the catheter out so that she will have to get up to washroom. She also needs to start eating more to get her strength up. Very hungry though is having trouble eating. Shell commented that she was going to write a book after this entitled "Shit Happens" and she wanted Dr. Souf to write the forward. The Doc and I laughed though Shell only chuckled and smiled.
Shell now has a mantra: EAT,PRAY,WALK.
I would like to apologize for grammar and spelling. Hunting and pecking, as well as trying to formulate my words is hard enough. I should have tried harder and paid more attention in english class. Have they not come up with a computer program that can do that for you? Oh yeah, and punctuation.,;:?
The Blog Doctor
Then out of a scene from Grey"s Anatomy, the young 2nd year resident shows up. (He was in the initial surgery). We discussed her situation and he was able to prescribe a different anti-nauseant. This made a big difference and allowed her to walk around the ward. When I commented that she is walking so fast that her hair is standing up,she was not impressed. I did get a good laugh from her nurse though. After her walk she was in lots of pain ,so they gave her something for pain mixed with an anti-nauseant. After sleeping for half hour she was the most coherent since coming out of surgery. She was able to get up and walk to bathroom in order for them to wash up.
When I came back form a little break they had her up in the chair ready for lunch. At this time Dr. Souf came in and examined her. He is not ready to give up on the right flap. Although there are some inconsistencies with a healthy flap, there are also signs that the flap is working. He wants to wait and see. Says it is imperative, that she walks to get the blood flowing. They also want to take the catheter out so that she will have to get up to washroom. She also needs to start eating more to get her strength up. Very hungry though is having trouble eating. Shell commented that she was going to write a book after this entitled "Shit Happens" and she wanted Dr. Souf to write the forward. The Doc and I laughed though Shell only chuckled and smiled.
Shell now has a mantra: EAT,PRAY,WALK.
I would like to apologize for grammar and spelling. Hunting and pecking, as well as trying to formulate my words is hard enough. I should have tried harder and paid more attention in english class. Have they not come up with a computer program that can do that for you? Oh yeah, and punctuation.,;:?
The Blog Doctor
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Evening news
After Dr. Souf left, Shell was even more determined to get moving. Sat up twice and walked once to the door of her room. Needless to say, that took a lot out of her and she was in lots of pain tonight. Was given pain medication and was able to settle for night.
I just wanted to share with you something Shell did before her surgery, that shows her love for her family.
I took her to the hospital and stayed with her until she was wheeled into the operating room. When I got home I found a beautiful card to which she had inscriped:
To my beautiful family.
Please take a deep breath and help each other out...even if you are not asked to help.
Please remember to say "I love you" and give a hug...it doesn't cost a thing.
Please remember I love you....have a great lunch today,work out....stay busy,stay together,stay strong!
Thank you-for you,your prayers-your strength!
Can't wait to see you.
Love Mom xoxo
Then you wonder why her children love her so much.
Bob
I just wanted to share with you something Shell did before her surgery, that shows her love for her family.
I took her to the hospital and stayed with her until she was wheeled into the operating room. When I got home I found a beautiful card to which she had inscriped:
To my beautiful family.
Please take a deep breath and help each other out...even if you are not asked to help.
Please remember to say "I love you" and give a hug...it doesn't cost a thing.
Please remember I love you....have a great lunch today,work out....stay busy,stay together,stay strong!
Thank you-for you,your prayers-your strength!
Can't wait to see you.
Love Mom xoxo
Then you wonder why her children love her so much.
Bob
Patient is close to patience
I have come to realize you have to have patience in order to be a patient or family of a patient with this disease. One day at a time can be reduced to one moment at a time. Baby steps. If that is what it takes then so be it.
Shell had a tough night as she was very uncomfortable due to reduction of pain medication. She is trying so hard to handle the pain as she knows this is her best chance to regain appetiete and get moving.
She sat in chair for half hour but when they tried to get her to move she became very nauseas so had to go back to bed.
Shell's sister Karen and her mom and dad showed up around lunch time so GG proceded to feed Shell, that was until Shell proclaimed her mom to be the popsicle nazi.
We had a visit by Dr. Souf just prior to lunch. We again discussed thye possibility of an alternative surgery if the right flap doesn't respond. We are going to give it another couple days to see if it reponds and also to get Shell up and moving in order to be better prepared for another surgery if needed.
I will blog again tonight for all you "blog stalkers" as Rob and I are going to take Zoe for a walk. She is out of sorts without her mom and has been neglected in the walking department.
Blog Star Bob
Shell had a tough night as she was very uncomfortable due to reduction of pain medication. She is trying so hard to handle the pain as she knows this is her best chance to regain appetiete and get moving.
She sat in chair for half hour but when they tried to get her to move she became very nauseas so had to go back to bed.
Shell's sister Karen and her mom and dad showed up around lunch time so GG proceded to feed Shell, that was until Shell proclaimed her mom to be the popsicle nazi.
We had a visit by Dr. Souf just prior to lunch. We again discussed thye possibility of an alternative surgery if the right flap doesn't respond. We are going to give it another couple days to see if it reponds and also to get Shell up and moving in order to be better prepared for another surgery if needed.
I will blog again tonight for all you "blog stalkers" as Rob and I are going to take Zoe for a walk. She is out of sorts without her mom and has been neglected in the walking department.
Blog Star Bob
Monday, February 27, 2012
tomorrow has come
It has been a late night,early morning and a long day since I last posted. Shell had a tough day. A better nights sleep but still tired,groggy with lots of pain. To top it all off they had to move her to another room which took 2.5 hours to prepare while she was placed in the hallway. That is our health care system. She had to go through that in order to get her own room. It is a long story that needs to be told over a couple of beers at the campfire. After moving into her new digs they had here up for awhile though she was real nauseas. She was unable to eat very much but is drinking lots of fluids.
At 4:30 pm Dr. Souf arrived and did some tests and assessed her. He is still concerned about the right flap. They are having trouble finding a pulse and he is not happy with the color. They have backed off on her pain medication and are trying to bring up her blood pressure which has been a bit low. They also want to get her to eat and become more active. Physio is to come tomorrow. He also said that if we want to bring anything from home then go ahead as they know the food may not appeal to her. She thought she might want a smoothie so Rob made her one with lots of love in it. When I told her mom (GG),she was ready to bring a cooler and a hot plate to the room. For those of you who know Shell's mom,she is the pusher of food. Great cook that has to make sure everyone is fed. She makes a "sick" lemon marange pie.
After Dr Souf was done he explained to me that we have to consider an alternative surgery if the flap doesn't respond. He talked about a surgery using a partial implant with a Latisimus Dorsi Flap that is taken from the muscle in the back. This is less evasive and not as long because he takes the blood vessel with the muscle so it isn't microscopic.
Tonight myself the girls and Shell's mom and dad went up. Alycia printed off some of the comments off of the blog and read them to her. It was very emotional for Alycia but Shell really enjoyed hearing it.
I know that people have been waiting for the news and we appreciate everyones concern,thoughts,prayers and positive vibes.
I am trying to update as quick as I can but have been spending lots of time at the hospital.
I am kind of giving the readers digest version but hope it gives everyone enough to know what is happening.
We all enjoy the comments so feel free to blog.
Big Bobby Blogger, I feel I have earned this title.
At 4:30 pm Dr. Souf arrived and did some tests and assessed her. He is still concerned about the right flap. They are having trouble finding a pulse and he is not happy with the color. They have backed off on her pain medication and are trying to bring up her blood pressure which has been a bit low. They also want to get her to eat and become more active. Physio is to come tomorrow. He also said that if we want to bring anything from home then go ahead as they know the food may not appeal to her. She thought she might want a smoothie so Rob made her one with lots of love in it. When I told her mom (GG),she was ready to bring a cooler and a hot plate to the room. For those of you who know Shell's mom,she is the pusher of food. Great cook that has to make sure everyone is fed. She makes a "sick" lemon marange pie.
After Dr Souf was done he explained to me that we have to consider an alternative surgery if the flap doesn't respond. He talked about a surgery using a partial implant with a Latisimus Dorsi Flap that is taken from the muscle in the back. This is less evasive and not as long because he takes the blood vessel with the muscle so it isn't microscopic.
Tonight myself the girls and Shell's mom and dad went up. Alycia printed off some of the comments off of the blog and read them to her. It was very emotional for Alycia but Shell really enjoyed hearing it.
I know that people have been waiting for the news and we appreciate everyones concern,thoughts,prayers and positive vibes.
I am trying to update as quick as I can but have been spending lots of time at the hospital.
I am kind of giving the readers digest version but hope it gives everyone enough to know what is happening.
We all enjoy the comments so feel free to blog.
Big Bobby Blogger, I feel I have earned this title.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Update on Shell's condition
Last night I was able to be in the room when they did the doppler readings and skin color test. The nurse was having trouble finding a strong beat and the blanch test was weak. Having returned this morning I was a bit concerned with same tests as there was really no improvement. When I was there with kids after church Shell had mentioned that Dr. Souf had been in to see her. After talking to the charge nurse she informed me that Dr. Souf is concerned with color and the lack of blood flow. We have to be prepeared for the possibility that the reconstruction didn't work and that he would have to remove the flaps. What the alternatives are and where we go from there, I am not sure but will meet with him tomorrow to find out.
Shell is very tired as they have been waking here up every hour to do tests. They have changed it to once every 6 hours since Dr Souf has been there. They did get her to sit up for 45 minutes but she had trouble focusing due to fatigue and the pain medication. She is resting right now as she was very tired after sitting up.
We continue to pray and hope that we get better news tomorrow.
Life does not seem fair at times but such is life. It is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
The journey has started and it will be a battle but nothing Shell can't conquor as I have never met someone so tough,determined and optomistic.
Bob
Shell is very tired as they have been waking here up every hour to do tests. They have changed it to once every 6 hours since Dr Souf has been there. They did get her to sit up for 45 minutes but she had trouble focusing due to fatigue and the pain medication. She is resting right now as she was very tired after sitting up.
We continue to pray and hope that we get better news tomorrow.
Life does not seem fair at times but such is life. It is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
The journey has started and it will be a battle but nothing Shell can't conquor as I have never met someone so tough,determined and optomistic.
Bob
First Family Visit
Well this morning Mikayla, Robbie, Dad and myself paid a visit to Mom after church. None of us kids knew what to expect but we were all very excited and anxious to see her. Seeing her was a bit of a shock, but no matter what situation she is in, Mom continues to look as beautiful as ever. Of course she commented on how we were all wearing spring jackets in the winter as a typical Mother would, concerned about us right away. I know I can speak for all of us when I say that I am so very inspired by her strength and her determination during this fight. Through all the pain, she still manages to squeeze out a smile and a faint laugh. Not going to lie, I cannot wait until I hear her famous deep-belly laugh again.
Just like Blogger Bob posted before, keep the comments coming! Not only do they give Mom strength but they give us strength as well knowing that we have an unbelievable support system behind us.
Lots of Love,
Alycia
Just like Blogger Bob posted before, keep the comments coming! Not only do they give Mom strength but they give us strength as well knowing that we have an unbelievable support system behind us.
Lots of Love,
Alycia
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