Ted here. This is the first time since the first day I got here that it is just Kathy & I. Has it really been only nine days?!? Cindi had to leave. Jess is on her way back up. We all talk about how lucky we are to have Kathy. I have to add that Kathy is so lucky to have so many great friends!
Talk seems to be along the lines of switching from a fast acting oral pain relief with the pain button to a slow acting oxcy drip with the pain button. Right now, the pain is tolerable.
Lung tubes have been removed! No more quart size bags of lung juice on each side of her! Way to fill those bags Baby! Lungs are clear and breathing is good. Every tube that gets removed is another victory!
It sucks to think about leaving tonight. Kathy isn't due for her next surgery until Thursday. I can go home tonight, work tomorrow and make it back for surgery. Hopefully, Jess can put some pics on this sight. I've taken a bunch, just don't know how to put them on this blog. Kathy will want to approve which ones get posted anyway.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
NEXT!
I hope the worst night is behind us.
Kathy accidentally pulled her I.V. out when the x-ray tech came to get her.
That was bloody. Blood thinners do that.
New shift. New nurse again. Insisting on repositioning Kathy every two hours. We tried to tell the nurse that Kathy was repositioning all night trying to crawl out of her own skin to escape the pain. Any movement of her leg causes excruciating pain. The new nurse is by the book. Doesn't give in to Kathy's requests. Cindi has never seen The Excorcist, but the look Kathy just gave the new nurse when denied again, as Kathy growled, "WHO ARE YOU?" was classic.
Apparently the new nurse, Nurse Ratchett, thinks we have been pushing Kathy's pain button for her (We haven't been).
We got the lecture from one of her doctors about the dangers involved in doing that. We're not idiots!
Besides, even if we were (and we're not), the thing is on a timer that only allows the doctor set amount between a restricted time period.
I talked to Nurse Ratchett about hoping this isn't just a job to her. A caring bedside manner, even when you go by the book, can mean all the difference in the world. I think calling her out on this has helped. Nurse Ratchett has changed her demeaner. A little softer, little more patient.
Saw x-rays of the pins & plates in her lower leg/knee. It looks like that game "Pick Up Sticks". They wouldn't let me take pictures of it because of privacy laws!?! We can get a C.D. of it later.
Still not able to move or feel her toes or most of her left foot. Found out from the doc that Kathy still has one more surgery on her left knee to go. It won't be as bad as this last one though.
I don't know if she could do that again.
Kathy accidentally pulled her I.V. out when the x-ray tech came to get her.
That was bloody. Blood thinners do that.
New shift. New nurse again. Insisting on repositioning Kathy every two hours. We tried to tell the nurse that Kathy was repositioning all night trying to crawl out of her own skin to escape the pain. Any movement of her leg causes excruciating pain. The new nurse is by the book. Doesn't give in to Kathy's requests. Cindi has never seen The Excorcist, but the look Kathy just gave the new nurse when denied again, as Kathy growled, "WHO ARE YOU?" was classic.
Apparently the new nurse, Nurse Ratchett, thinks we have been pushing Kathy's pain button for her (We haven't been).
We got the lecture from one of her doctors about the dangers involved in doing that. We're not idiots!
Besides, even if we were (and we're not), the thing is on a timer that only allows the doctor set amount between a restricted time period.
I talked to Nurse Ratchett about hoping this isn't just a job to her. A caring bedside manner, even when you go by the book, can mean all the difference in the world. I think calling her out on this has helped. Nurse Ratchett has changed her demeaner. A little softer, little more patient.
Saw x-rays of the pins & plates in her lower leg/knee. It looks like that game "Pick Up Sticks". They wouldn't let me take pictures of it because of privacy laws!?! We can get a C.D. of it later.
Still not able to move or feel her toes or most of her left foot. Found out from the doc that Kathy still has one more surgery on her left knee to go. It won't be as bad as this last one though.
I don't know if she could do that again.
you can skip this
Ted at 12:18 A.M. Good thing this place has an all night eatery. Cindi went to see what we can get for dinner. That gives me time to write more.
Kathy still stirs, but stays asleep for the most part. Not the kind of sleep that would refresh you or I.
The fan that Cindi bought is making Kathy's balloons move around.
About 15 pillows piled on the bed function as comfort cradles and guides.
The worst surgery is behind Kathy, next scheduled is Thursday.
Hey! food's here! Gotta go!
Kathy still stirs, but stays asleep for the most part. Not the kind of sleep that would refresh you or I.
The fan that Cindi bought is making Kathy's balloons move around.
About 15 pillows piled on the bed function as comfort cradles and guides.
The worst surgery is behind Kathy, next scheduled is Thursday.
Hey! food's here! Gotta go!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Time to get there and time to get back
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.
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.
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.
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