Wow.
The hour delay in releasing Kathy from surgery recovery because of the amount of pain she was in was just the start.
There is no way to describe what Kathy must be feeling. Her face tells it all. Even when she retreats to a safer place of drugged sleep, her forehead is crunched into wrinkles, her mouth pulled into a frown...
She can't have any more pain medication until she can be reassessed & cleared, can't be cleared until more of the anethesia wears off, the anethesia won't wear off as fast until she can stop shallow breathing 8-10 breaths a minute . Until then, it's just time.
another hour later...
As she is awaking fully from the anathesia it is time filled with a panicky need to change something! Anything to make it better!
Kathy has been given anti-anxiety medication. She is apologizing for everything she ever did bad.
There is nothing that Cindi or I can do to ease this for her. The pain pump button doesn't seem to be touching this!
It's been over four hours since the surgery. The nurses and Docs are trying everything they can. The concern is keeping the respiratory function from being compromised. She's getting a dose of something more. I know I should know of what, but I don't. The medical people don't all agree on the best course. Starts with an "A".
This is going to be a long night for all. Especially Kathy.
later... How long has it been? Good thing Cindi let me sleep last night & she took a short nap today.
It is 11;42 P.M. and Kathy has finally fallen into an exhausted sleep.
Still fitfull, but quickly fades each time. Hope those are good dreams she's having.
Monday, October 24, 2011
return from surgery
Cindi notes...Kathy has been back in her room for the past hour, she is in a lot of pain as should be expected for going through such an intense surgery. Ted is the most amazing husband, never leaving her side and encouraging her through this heartbreaking process.
Today the dr repaired the bones in her left knee and leg. There were some missing pieces of bone and cartilage from her knee that were discarded during the first surgery which was necessary to avoid infection, the dr said that her knee looks good considering the extensive damage done to it but she likely will have to a knee replacement somewhere down the road. The incision behind her knee was cleaned and tissue was removed, her incisions are all healing nicely. The previous surgery removed muscle tissue from the front of the calf. Today after the incision behind her knee was treated the dr had to remove unhealthy muscle tissue from the back of her calf near the incision, so this was an unexpected procedure. The faciadomies looked good and a wound vac change was performed on them.
We are trying to control Kathy's pain at this point, holding her hand as she tries to sleep and watching over her constantly. Her strength is incredible but it is so much for anyone to bear, let alone our girl!
Today the dr repaired the bones in her left knee and leg. There were some missing pieces of bone and cartilage from her knee that were discarded during the first surgery which was necessary to avoid infection, the dr said that her knee looks good considering the extensive damage done to it but she likely will have to a knee replacement somewhere down the road. The incision behind her knee was cleaned and tissue was removed, her incisions are all healing nicely. The previous surgery removed muscle tissue from the front of the calf. Today after the incision behind her knee was treated the dr had to remove unhealthy muscle tissue from the back of her calf near the incision, so this was an unexpected procedure. The faciadomies looked good and a wound vac change was performed on them.
We are trying to control Kathy's pain at this point, holding her hand as she tries to sleep and watching over her constantly. Her strength is incredible but it is so much for anyone to bear, let alone our girl!
no news is good news, right?
Still in surgery. Almost seven hours now. Feels like an eternity.
I'm trying to distract myself so I don't go crazy! Who knows what the psych ward would be like here, I might get treated for tapeworms!
To be fair, this is a really busy surgery center. I'm sure they are doing their best. Screw being fair! Be fair with the other surgeries, be right every time with this one!
Gotta get my mind off of this...
If you come here to love on & care for Kathy, be prepared to cuddle. She finds comfort in being held and talked to. The girls who have helped me so far, all have a gift of soothing.
Cindy slept next to Kathy last night. Cindy didn't really sleep, but Kathy did! Before you think, "What's up with everyone sleeping in her bed?!?", try saying no when she asks YOU to!
Kathy talks with you until she falls quickly to sleep, then you don't dare move for fear of waking her!
Just so you Girls know, bring your slumber party jammies!
Guys, forget about it! I know your disappointed. Sorry.
It will be easier to relax with her when the lung tubes are out. Kathy's breathing great, but the x-rays show the lungs still aren't good enough to pull the tubes. Leg bracket rods should be off after the surgery. That will make it easier to snuggle too!
I'm trying to distract myself so I don't go crazy! Who knows what the psych ward would be like here, I might get treated for tapeworms!
To be fair, this is a really busy surgery center. I'm sure they are doing their best. Screw being fair! Be fair with the other surgeries, be right every time with this one!
Gotta get my mind off of this...
If you come here to love on & care for Kathy, be prepared to cuddle. She finds comfort in being held and talked to. The girls who have helped me so far, all have a gift of soothing.
Cindy slept next to Kathy last night. Cindy didn't really sleep, but Kathy did! Before you think, "What's up with everyone sleeping in her bed?!?", try saying no when she asks YOU to!
Kathy talks with you until she falls quickly to sleep, then you don't dare move for fear of waking her!
Just so you Girls know, bring your slumber party jammies!
Guys, forget about it! I know your disappointed. Sorry.
It will be easier to relax with her when the lung tubes are out. Kathy's breathing great, but the x-rays show the lungs still aren't good enough to pull the tubes. Leg bracket rods should be off after the surgery. That will make it easier to snuggle too!
unexpected twist
The girls that have been here can tell you what a mess the channels of communication are here.
Change in surgery plans -
Only Kathy's left leg work will be done today. The operating room nurse didn't know the right ankle needed more work until we were talking to her in surgery prep!!! After actually READING the surgery orders she asked the anethesiologist if she knew the right ankle was planned for today - and she didn't either!!! A quick phone call & the decision was made to only do the left leg and MAYBE another cleanout of the right ankle because, while the surgeon was there, THEY DIDN"T HAVE THE OPERATING ROOM STAFF to do all of the planned surgery!?!
It seems that every shift change or new caregiver we meet needs to be informed of Kathy's condition.
I think I've heard too many stories about operations on wrong body parts to relax until I see her after surgery.
I think I'll take a walk and hope someone looks at me wrong... not really... yet.
Can't wait to look back on all this.
Change in surgery plans -
Only Kathy's left leg work will be done today. The operating room nurse didn't know the right ankle needed more work until we were talking to her in surgery prep!!! After actually READING the surgery orders she asked the anethesiologist if she knew the right ankle was planned for today - and she didn't either!!! A quick phone call & the decision was made to only do the left leg and MAYBE another cleanout of the right ankle because, while the surgeon was there, THEY DIDN"T HAVE THE OPERATING ROOM STAFF to do all of the planned surgery!?!
It seems that every shift change or new caregiver we meet needs to be informed of Kathy's condition.
I think I've heard too many stories about operations on wrong body parts to relax until I see her after surgery.
I think I'll take a walk and hope someone looks at me wrong... not really... yet.
Can't wait to look back on all this.
Perky little morning girl :)
from Cindi...Kathy got some much needed sleep last night (she insists on sharing her bed, being that close to her is very heartwarming) and she is showing moments of her perky self already this morning. She keeps talking about how amazed she is at the outpour of affection from so many people, how she always knew she had friends but is overwhelmed at the depth and amount of love so many have expressed.
Kathy will be having surgery this morning to take off the external fixation device on her leg and begin to stabilize and pin the tibial plateau. Her ankle has quite a bit of ligament damage and will be having it stabilized as well. The last 24 hours have been good to Kathy and we are very optomistic about the surgeries.
In true Kathy form, she is concerned about not responding to everyone to say thank you personally and would like for me to let everyone know that she is so very grateful for all of your prayers and love.
Kathy will be having surgery this morning to take off the external fixation device on her leg and begin to stabilize and pin the tibial plateau. Her ankle has quite a bit of ligament damage and will be having it stabilized as well. The last 24 hours have been good to Kathy and we are very optomistic about the surgeries.
In true Kathy form, she is concerned about not responding to everyone to say thank you personally and would like for me to let everyone know that she is so very grateful for all of your prayers and love.
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