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Today we took Dan to his follow-up appt in Nashville to see the Plastic Surgeon. He removed Dan's drain tube! :) It was a long hard trip for Daniel, but he took it like a pro and now is resting happily on the couch.
RANT:
I don't like mean people. I think there is no good reason to be mean. Especially when you work in the healthcare field and your job is to provide care and COMFORT for patients.
With that said, we had an IV therapy nurse who was AWFUL to Dan. She was rude, condescending, unnecessarily rough, and even pushed on his abdomen! (Hello! He had Abdominal surgery!!) She kept complaining about having to start a new IV in him. (Again, hello! You're an IV therapy nurse. Your job is to start IVs!) By the time the whole thing was done, we were both in tears. (She had to stick him twice anyway, which we were trying to avoid. That's why we called the IV team!) Once Dan was resting comfortably again, I went out and sat in my Daddy's lap and just cried. The nurse who was taking care of us was so nice and hugged me and said she was so sorry. (Turns out the nasty lady argued with her, too!)
Daddy was so upset, he asked to speak to her manager. So we gave a report of what happened and he assured us that he would take it up with her director.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
If you are in a field where you are to help people and you don't like it, then get out of it!! Nobody wants you to be grouchy and mean about doing what you're supposed to do.
/RANT
Really, though, that was a small drop in the bucket. We had many many many good nurses. They went beyond and above what they just "had" to do to make sure we were comfortable and at ease. (-Which can be hard in a hospital!) I'm so thankful for the kind people we had. I think their skills and kindness were a blessing from God.
Now, we are enjoying the blessing of our generous brothers and sisters who are bringing in meals for us. Mmmm.... chicken spaghetti....
[Sorry my blogs are rather self-focused (or maybe Dan-focused). Right now, recovery is consuming our lives. One of these days, other topics will start peaking through... :) ] |
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We are home!!!
Thursday was rough. Lots of exhaustion and nausea/vomiting. We are very much taking two steps forward and one step back. By the end of the evening, he was finally able to start walking around.
This morning they said we could start preparing to go home. I got him cleaned up and ready. We wheeled him out and hauled him home! The trip was exhausting, but he did VERY well. He slept really really hard when we got home, but is now alert and oriented. :)
And happily on pain medication.
He still has a couple more tubes that will need to be taken out, but the doctors will do that in due time. Next appt: Monday.
It feels soooooooooo good to be home. Praise be to God for all the blessings and provisions that He has provided. |
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I didn't get to a computer yesterday, sorry for the delay. Daniel had an encouraging day today. He walked some, sat up a LOT, and even got back on solid food! (He's not eating much at all, but what he is eating, he is keeping down which is exactly what we need.)
The doctors have discontinued his IV and his pain pump with it. Dan was sorry to see it go!! But they put him on liquid Lortab (he can't swallow pills) and it is settling very nicely in his tummy.
I had been staying through the night with him, but he also wants me to stay through the day. Since I can't do both, I switched shifts with his sweet Momma. She's staying with him tonight and I'll go back in time to meet with the doctors when they start rounding at ridiculous FOUR IN THE MORNING!
We've had some lovely company come to visit us and it has really cheered Daniel. He is obviously feeling a bit better, because he's talking more, listening to his ipod more, and is just more expressive. He is still in a considerable amount of pain. However, the doctors are optimistic that he may go home in a couple of days if he continues to improve.
Then we'll be on to Phase Two of recovery.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
By the way - one of the Medical Students that comes in of a morning - his name is Ching Chang Chen. I love it. |
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We had a good night last night. He has been resting VERY well and using the Morphine pump less. However, he was very much poked and prodded this morning and became sore. He was a little rough when I had to leave him this AM, but I'm thankful for the restful night..... Prayers answered.
He got up yesterday and walked around. The first walk was excruciating, but the second one went VERY well. Today they are hoping to advance him to solid food and get him walking around the halls.
He has had one minor "complication." I hate to call it a complication because the doctors say this is "normal" for a lower abdominal surgery. However, it's not pleasant, nor is it something I can post details about on pleo. But God knows what it is, so let's pray that this "normal complication" will soon pass. :)
Thanks for all the continued prayers. They mean more than I can express. |
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Sarah has been so kind as to update for me. This has been my first time to sit at a computer since we started this journey. Daniel (as of 10:30 this am) is in a moderate amount of pain, but doing well. He has already gotten up and walked to a chair, then sat in the chair for over a half hour!! He had a lot of pain through the night, but we had an excellent nurse that got ahead of his pain and has helped him ever since. He did throw up once this morning and that has really made him sore. He has a "smiley face" incision all across his lower abdomen.
He really is doing great, considering that he had major abdominal surgery yesterday. Each of the surgeons were absolutely thrilled with how things went. To update on what Sarah said, I think Dr Chang did have to take a *small* part of his bladder, but everthing went well. Dr Merchant removed the mass completely -Hank is officially GONE!! :) They're still not sure exactly what it was, but we'll send him off to the lab to find out. Dr Wendel's patch up job has gone MUCH better than he expected so we're just on the up and up!
They originaly told us 7-10 days in the hosp, but it is all dependent on how well he does. It can also be anywhere from 3-4 days. Let's just pray that Daniel is in the hospital for as long as he needs their services and that I'll be able to take care of him after that.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers. It is so incredibly helpful for us, you have no idea. I'll pass on all of your well-wishes to Daniel.
I'll continue to update as I find opportunity... |
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