uncommonpear.com » surgery

Home again!

pedwar — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:42:12 +0000

The doctor gave the OK to send Mom home yesterday, and so she’s back with Dad. Her colour is much better, and although she’s still a bit nauseous, she’s eating solid food again. She’ll have to be very careful not to lift anything or do anything strenuous for the next six weeks, but she’s clearly on the road to full recovery.

Dad seemed more sleepy than ecstatic when she arrived shortly after noon, but on a visit after supper, I found them lying in bed holding hands and watching TV. He’s definitely calmer with her around, but still seems quite depressed about his state. We’ll have to keep a close eye on him.

Mom’s restored appetite!

pedwar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 01:51:18 +0000

Yaayyy, Mom is feeling so much better. After a couple of scares, she’s now well on the road to full recovery. Turns out that the loss of sensation in the legs was due directly to the epidural, and as soon as they stopped the medication, she popped back. Wednesday, she was up sitting in the chair beside her bed, and today, all tubes have been removed, she’s been eating some, and she’s gone for little walks up and down the hallway. We’re hoping she’ll be home tomorrow!

Had supper with Dad tonight, and he’s still confused and depressed. He’s also very weak and wobbly. Let’s hope that having Mom home and feeling better will lift his spirits, at least.

Say a prayer

pedwar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:58:53 +0000

Mom’s surgery went well, the doctor says, on the four hernias (two large and two small) she had. She’s back in her room, but feeling anxious as she has no sensation in the upper part of one leg. Maybe it’s the result of pain-killers or maybe some nerve endings got pinched, although no possibility or explanation has been extended yet. We’ll likely know more tomorrow, and we’ll hope this will be just a passing complication.

Dad’s having a difficult time coping, very confused much of the time, and the lack of activity over the summer has reduced his mobility drastically.

We send them both all our love and thoughts. We’ll be there for them both through any tough times ahead.

Mom’s ongoing hernia saga

pedwar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:15:28 +0000

Poor Mom was taken to hospital for the third time last Saturday evening (second time was in the wee hours of July 22). Without being too graphic, she had spent several hours in severe pain and digestion discomfort, and the residence nurses were afraid she was again becoming too dehydrated.

I stayed overnight with Dad, and Sunday morning, Bill went to hospital to sit with Mom and wait for the doctor’s verdict. Once again, the hernias resolved, she stabilized, and she was sent home to await the next torture session or the scheduled surgery (Aug. 21) — whichever comes first.

Dad is having some difficulty coping with all of this turmoil, especially so soon after having moved into the residence from 1665 Abbey. He’s distraught when Mom’s not nearby and gets easily disoriented. Once Mom is feeling better, he’ll hopefully come to feel settled and eventually consider himself at home. We’ll all be there for them both through this rough time.

Relief in sight

pedwar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:18:38 +0000

Great news: Mom’s surgery has been scheduled for late August. That’s still a month of pain for her to get through – hopefully manageable with some pain medication – but at least a date has been set. Now the challenge is for her to eat enough now to have reserves when she’s recuperating but not so much that it worsens her condition in the meantime. A delicate balancing act!

Update on pedwar’s mom

schmoo — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:55:09 +0000

For reasons unexplained, the hospital discharged her last night at 11:30PM without completing the surgery. No one is particularly happy as we expect that as soon as the drugs wear off, she’ll be back to her earlier situation of not being able to eat, or move around at all, not to mention the pain — they didn’t even prescribe some pain killers! All that to say that the staff at the residence may be calling an ambulance again soon.