Tuesday, August 31, 2010
What finally did the trick:
Magnesium Citrate (cherry flavor): Pasteurized sparkling saline laxative----BLAHHHH.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Day 7
Finally, FINALLY the nausea has held off long enough to sit and type for a few moments. To be sure, the last two days have been the hardest. The catheter came out on Friday which naturally required that I (we) begin to find out way to the restroom--no small or painless matter. The (lovely) nurses took me off of morphine on Friday as well. Now I am all for weaning off of drug dependence, but this was a tough one. Saturday, after a very effective but difficult PT session, we were officially discharged from Methodist. Dad and Nate took on the difficult task of creating the exact right position for me to fit into the car comfortably on the way home. (side bar: dad put the entire box of flowers near his car while he was loading me up and someone stole some of them out of there--not cool!)
Our dear friends brought us tortellini soup on Saturday evening and sat with me as Nate filled the long list of prescriptions(and mucho $) that I will need for the coming weeks. We were so glad to be home and yet we knew what support we would be leaving behind at the hospital. Saturday night and all day Sunday were very difficult days--I mostly feel like sleeping all the time but when I am awake I feel intense pain in my incision and nausea. We were advised to go to the ER at 3am this morning to relieve some of the nausea. We came home soon after and my new nurses (mom and Nate) have helped relieve some of this pain today. Thank you, Jesus.
Even as I write this, though, I feel such fatigue. As I sign out I look around my living room (my makeshift bedroom for now) and am filled with hope in the form of fresh flowers EVERYWHERE, care packages in the mail, notes of solidarity and encouragement arriving in the mail and by hand, and the smell of fresh rosemary as mom creates
I have my first post-op check-up with Dr. Scheid on Wednesday. We'll see how he thinks I'm doing thus far. And, as soon as I feel up to it, I'll post a pic of the new and revised hip.
.jpg)
Happy 35th birthday to my love.
Our dear friends brought us tortellini soup on Saturday evening and sat with me as Nate filled the long list of prescriptions(and mucho $) that I will need for the coming weeks. We were so glad to be home and yet we knew what support we would be leaving behind at the hospital. Saturday night and all day Sunday were very difficult days--I mostly feel like sleeping all the time but when I am awake I feel intense pain in my incision and nausea. We were advised to go to the ER at 3am this morning to relieve some of the nausea. We came home soon after and my new nurses (mom and Nate) have helped relieve some of this pain today. Thank you, Jesus.
Even as I write this, though, I feel such fatigue. As I sign out I look around my living room (my makeshift bedroom for now) and am filled with hope in the form of fresh flowers EVERYWHERE, care packages in the mail, notes of solidarity and encouragement arriving in the mail and by hand, and the smell of fresh rosemary as mom creates
I have my first post-op check-up with Dr. Scheid on Wednesday. We'll see how he thinks I'm doing thus far. And, as soon as I feel up to it, I'll post a pic of the new and revised hip.
.jpg)
Happy 35th birthday to my love.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Day 4 Post-Op
Well, Dad is sitting next to me and he jokingly shared that my last blog was introduced to be a short blurb which then turned into several paragraphs. Guaranteed to be a bit more brief this time around!
Nate slept at home last night as there is no way for him to get up and work today without a good nights sleep. I am awakened almost every 30 minutes...this sort of sleeping schedule doesn't do an automotive technician a whole lot of help the next day! Nate, my mom, and our friend Becky spent some time with me last night amidst my pain increasing. Last night was the worst so far. We could not find the right dosage of pain killer and anti-nausea and anti-itch meds. The woman in the room next to me moaned and screamed the entire night--I prayed for her and felt solidarity as I know I'm just one step away from that response. Dad is here all day with me and Sally stayed with me for the day yesterday. I've also had some sweet time with some other dear friends who have visited, prayed, and read to me.
If you could see my room, you would see a redeemed post-surgery hospital room filled with hydrangeas, encouraging words/cards, 'get well soon' balloons, orchids, cala lillies and a fresh display of wild flowers from Julie's garden. I've been completing a few Sodoku's between sleep time and drug time. I hope to start to read next week once the nausea leaves my system.
The chaplain first visited yesterday, held my hand and sang beautiful hymns over me. What beauty!
Nausea has been horrible today, the same day they are weaning me off of morphine (I will have other drugs, of course, for when I go home). They also took out the catheter this morning, forcing me to make the long trip, via walker, to the restroom. This has truly tested me and no doubt has tested the patience of the PT's!
I'm drugged up pretty well right now and fairly proud of myself for taking those few excruciating steps to the restroom.
They hope to send me home tomorrow...and I'm ready to be home.
Nate slept at home last night as there is no way for him to get up and work today without a good nights sleep. I am awakened almost every 30 minutes...this sort of sleeping schedule doesn't do an automotive technician a whole lot of help the next day! Nate, my mom, and our friend Becky spent some time with me last night amidst my pain increasing. Last night was the worst so far. We could not find the right dosage of pain killer and anti-nausea and anti-itch meds. The woman in the room next to me moaned and screamed the entire night--I prayed for her and felt solidarity as I know I'm just one step away from that response. Dad is here all day with me and Sally stayed with me for the day yesterday. I've also had some sweet time with some other dear friends who have visited, prayed, and read to me.
If you could see my room, you would see a redeemed post-surgery hospital room filled with hydrangeas, encouraging words/cards, 'get well soon' balloons, orchids, cala lillies and a fresh display of wild flowers from Julie's garden. I've been completing a few Sodoku's between sleep time and drug time. I hope to start to read next week once the nausea leaves my system.
The chaplain first visited yesterday, held my hand and sang beautiful hymns over me. What beauty!
Nausea has been horrible today, the same day they are weaning me off of morphine (I will have other drugs, of course, for when I go home). They also took out the catheter this morning, forcing me to make the long trip, via walker, to the restroom. This has truly tested me and no doubt has tested the patience of the PT's!
I'm drugged up pretty well right now and fairly proud of myself for taking those few excruciating steps to the restroom.
They hope to send me home tomorrow...and I'm ready to be home.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Day 3 Update
August 26, 2010
Day three post-operation. Nate and I slept better last night than we have the past few nights. I have almost hourly visits by our RN who is checking vitals, renewing ice packs, and changing over my fluid bags.
I thought I might have the energy to write but even I as sit here the nausea kicks in frequently and large doses of pain erupt. This will likely be a brief posting.
In short, Dr. Scheid confidently shared that the surgery went as well as he could hope it to go. Thank you, God. Dr. did notice some cartilage once he made his way in…he was glad for the timing in this way. Had we waiting much longer to do the surgery the cartilage could have grown into osteo-arthritis, forcing a hip replacement and disallowing my candidacy.
Today I am dealing with large doses of nausea. I just finished PT for the day and I cried (and when I say “cry” I mean weeping and wailing) the entire time. It’s true what they say that every day begins to feel slightly better. Today I celebrate the fact that I could somehow stand up onto the walker. "One day at a time" is our mantra!
For my fellow hipsters who will wonder what sort of symptoms and difficulties I had during this first week, here’s a short blurb:
• Extreme nausea (see above)
• Intense levels of swelling throughout my entire body
• The catheter isn’t so bed (in fact, it has been a saving grace), but one can never prepare themselves for a first catheter experience.
• When the nurses are cleaning/bathing you, the most ungodly screams came from my mouth as the pain of moving to one side or another was simply too much to handle.
• If you have tendencies towards motion sickness, you may want to request a patch behind your ear. This, along with several anti-nausea pills, have surprisingly done their job. Thank you, Lord!
• As you struggle with your body adjustments, know that it will also be an adjustment to have your family, friends, nurses, strangers all taking care of you. Receive, receive…you have offered it to others in the past, I trust, and you will offer it all the more compassionately after this healing process is over.
• Drink LOTS of water once you get out of surgery. Your body will be screaming at you to replenish liquids.
• Don’t cut corners with regard to PT. Let them stretch you and help with incremental next steps. Your PT experience, I believe, will be crucial for the long-term recovery process.
• Lastly, this surgery is as intense and demanding as all fellow hipsters have said it is. I’ve never felt such pain in my life; however, we do believe, even just a few days into this, that this was the right decision. You will suffer and struggle…
I wanted to put a shout-out to all of the care-takers who have gone over and beyond this week: Dr. Scheid, Dr .Maier, Denise (Dr. Scheid’s nurse), all the nurses, C.N.A.’s and PT folks here at Methodist. I have been pleasantly surprised to their attunement to Nate and I during this time.
Thanks to my family and friends (you know who you are) for walking with us this week. Booram’s, thank you for waking early on Tuesday morning, driving down to Methodist (which is SO not close to home for them), and praying over Nate and I as we prepared for surgery . You are you truly spiritual mother and fathers to us. Beth read the scripture (see below) that God had laid on her heart the day before. I have been meditating on this passage as I lay in bed.
And to be lovely husband—who will receive many “jewels in his crown” upon entering heaven You have, are, and will serve me wholeheartedly during this process—you know the gratefulness I have in my heart for you.
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired , and young men and women stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40: 28-31
Day three post-operation. Nate and I slept better last night than we have the past few nights. I have almost hourly visits by our RN who is checking vitals, renewing ice packs, and changing over my fluid bags.
I thought I might have the energy to write but even I as sit here the nausea kicks in frequently and large doses of pain erupt. This will likely be a brief posting.
In short, Dr. Scheid confidently shared that the surgery went as well as he could hope it to go. Thank you, God. Dr. did notice some cartilage once he made his way in…he was glad for the timing in this way. Had we waiting much longer to do the surgery the cartilage could have grown into osteo-arthritis, forcing a hip replacement and disallowing my candidacy.
Today I am dealing with large doses of nausea. I just finished PT for the day and I cried (and when I say “cry” I mean weeping and wailing) the entire time. It’s true what they say that every day begins to feel slightly better. Today I celebrate the fact that I could somehow stand up onto the walker. "One day at a time" is our mantra!
For my fellow hipsters who will wonder what sort of symptoms and difficulties I had during this first week, here’s a short blurb:
• Extreme nausea (see above)
• Intense levels of swelling throughout my entire body
• The catheter isn’t so bed (in fact, it has been a saving grace), but one can never prepare themselves for a first catheter experience.
• When the nurses are cleaning/bathing you, the most ungodly screams came from my mouth as the pain of moving to one side or another was simply too much to handle.
• If you have tendencies towards motion sickness, you may want to request a patch behind your ear. This, along with several anti-nausea pills, have surprisingly done their job. Thank you, Lord!
• As you struggle with your body adjustments, know that it will also be an adjustment to have your family, friends, nurses, strangers all taking care of you. Receive, receive…you have offered it to others in the past, I trust, and you will offer it all the more compassionately after this healing process is over.
• Drink LOTS of water once you get out of surgery. Your body will be screaming at you to replenish liquids.
• Don’t cut corners with regard to PT. Let them stretch you and help with incremental next steps. Your PT experience, I believe, will be crucial for the long-term recovery process.
• Lastly, this surgery is as intense and demanding as all fellow hipsters have said it is. I’ve never felt such pain in my life; however, we do believe, even just a few days into this, that this was the right decision. You will suffer and struggle…
I wanted to put a shout-out to all of the care-takers who have gone over and beyond this week: Dr. Scheid, Dr .Maier, Denise (Dr. Scheid’s nurse), all the nurses, C.N.A.’s and PT folks here at Methodist. I have been pleasantly surprised to their attunement to Nate and I during this time.
Thanks to my family and friends (you know who you are) for walking with us this week. Booram’s, thank you for waking early on Tuesday morning, driving down to Methodist (which is SO not close to home for them), and praying over Nate and I as we prepared for surgery . You are you truly spiritual mother and fathers to us. Beth read the scripture (see below) that God had laid on her heart the day before. I have been meditating on this passage as I lay in bed.
And to be lovely husband—who will receive many “jewels in his crown” upon entering heaven You have, are, and will serve me wholeheartedly during this process—you know the gratefulness I have in my heart for you.
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired , and young men and women stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40: 28-31
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Out of Surgery!
Megan's surgery went very well! She went in this morning at 8:00. They finished the first portion around 9:30, and the 2nd more complicated part at 12:30 p.m. The surgeon(s) said that they were able to make the adjustments they had hoped to make (not always a guarantee that the tissue, muscle, bone will be cooperative). I am so grateful for very competent doctors, and for God's hand in it all..and for so many of you who are praying and providing such amazing support for us right now. Thank you, thank you.
And now we begin the hardest part with recovery. She is now in and out of sleep, with random Megan-like quips out of nowhere. Nice try morphine, you can't keep Megan from knowing what's going on at all times. She is in a lot of pain...praying she'll sleep well tonight... We will let you know when a visit might be appropriate. If you'd like to send something, here's the address:
Methodist Hospital
1701 N. Senate Blvd
Indpls, In 46202
317-962-5500
Methodist Hospital
1701 N. Senate Blvd
Indpls, In 46202
317-962-5500
Monday, August 23, 2010
Entrance
Tomorrow morning Nate and I will groggily enter Methodist Hospital at 6am. I will then enter the surgery room for almost 8 hours. And then, we (and I do mean "we"--that is, Nate and I, and then the dozens of family and friends who have and will willingly "enter" this healing process) will penetrate this lengthy recovery process.
I hope to document some of this experience both for those who simply want to read and for those who will go after me into this strange and unknown world of hip dysplasia. For this week, Nate will be the "articulator" of our story. He will provide updates when he can and do his best to translate these next few days.
We both welcome your prayers tomorrow and this week.
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise PRESERVES my life. (Psalm 119:50)
I hope to document some of this experience both for those who simply want to read and for those who will go after me into this strange and unknown world of hip dysplasia. For this week, Nate will be the "articulator" of our story. He will provide updates when he can and do his best to translate these next few days.
We both welcome your prayers tomorrow and this week.
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise PRESERVES my life. (Psalm 119:50)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)