This is David
Today is Thursday the 13th of August. I am doing well I am recovering in beautiful mountain get away! It has been good to see the Lake and Mountains and be away from the city. It is amazing how fast I get tired when I do anything. I took a walk with my Father in law (age 70 years) yesterday and he had to wait for me to catch up 3 times we were only going about 200 feet. The pain is going away. My head is still numb in spots and is very tender in others. I feel so blessed to have such good friends and people around me, you have truly been a blessing to me and my family. Well I better go.
C-ya, David
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Really?
Did I really think I was going to sleep well last night? First night home really makes you appreciate what the nurses do at the hospital. I was there every night, but failed to appreciate how busy they were.
I also thought I was going to get to sleep in my bed, but David decided he should try to lie on his side in the night, which meant I got to spend another night in a recliner. Well, back and forth between the recliner and the bed as he got uncomfortable.
Every day I am surprised by how much improvement I see. He is going longer and longer between pain medication now and is alternating between the powerful pain-killers and extra strength Tylenol. The kids enjoy holding his hand and walking with him around the house and he even ventured outside for a few minutes today.
Getting a shower was an adventure. We put a chair in the shower with a towel on it so it wouldn't be quite so cold. It's a little frightening washing his hair and watching the suds drip down along the incision, but the nurses told us a little water was ok as long as we didn't let it soak and we dried it out well with peroxide afterward.
He is now worn out and I am going to try again to get a good night sleep!
I also thought I was going to get to sleep in my bed, but David decided he should try to lie on his side in the night, which meant I got to spend another night in a recliner. Well, back and forth between the recliner and the bed as he got uncomfortable.
Every day I am surprised by how much improvement I see. He is going longer and longer between pain medication now and is alternating between the powerful pain-killers and extra strength Tylenol. The kids enjoy holding his hand and walking with him around the house and he even ventured outside for a few minutes today.
Getting a shower was an adventure. We put a chair in the shower with a towel on it so it wouldn't be quite so cold. It's a little frightening washing his hair and watching the suds drip down along the incision, but the nurses told us a little water was ok as long as we didn't let it soak and we dried it out well with peroxide afterward.
He is now worn out and I am going to try again to get a good night sleep!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Home Again
We were able to bring David home this afternoon around 6:30 p.m. The car ride was pretty rough on him and he changed colors several times. We made it home without incident, and were so grateful for good neighbors who took the call from me on the way home asking them to move the recliner into the bedroom so he had a place to sleep.
One thing we really wondered about going into this surgery was how he was going to sleep...did they have him sleep on his side? Would he wear a brace? We really had no idea. The truth of the matter is, he lays on his back right on his incision on a pillow. I was pretty surprised, but parts of his head have no feeling right now due to the large number of nerves that were cut during the surgery. I guess that is a good thing since the nurse pulled out the two staples on the side of his head before we left and he didn't feel a thing!
Now I am just really tired and glad to sleep in my own bed tonight. I get the whole thing to myself :) I only hope that David is able to wake me up if he needs anything tonight because I am sure I will sleep like a rock!
One thing we really wondered about going into this surgery was how he was going to sleep...did they have him sleep on his side? Would he wear a brace? We really had no idea. The truth of the matter is, he lays on his back right on his incision on a pillow. I was pretty surprised, but parts of his head have no feeling right now due to the large number of nerves that were cut during the surgery. I guess that is a good thing since the nurse pulled out the two staples on the side of his head before we left and he didn't feel a thing!
Now I am just really tired and glad to sleep in my own bed tonight. I get the whole thing to myself :) I only hope that David is able to wake me up if he needs anything tonight because I am sure I will sleep like a rock!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Better Every Day
As you can see from the smile, David is feeling much better. The glazed look over his eyes is gone for the most part. It still shows up once in a while when the medication kicks in, but we are getting him back and he enjoys playing games with the nurse and pretending he's asleep to surprise the kids.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Changes
It is amazing how things change. One moment he seems like he is feeling better and the next he is in a lot of pain. Some medications work for him and some don't. They gave him one dose of a medication in the NSAIDS (ibuprofin) family which worked better than anything, but the doctor would only allow him to have one shot of it since it has a tendency to slow the healing process.
Hopefully he can get some sleep tonight.
Our friends from the ICU waiting room lost their dad this morning. He was 54. It was pretty sad for me after sharing their ups and downs with them. They had a lot of family in the waiting room and a lot of support. It reminded me of my family. I hope they can find comfort in family through this tough time.
Hopefully he can get some sleep tonight.
Our friends from the ICU waiting room lost their dad this morning. He was 54. It was pretty sad for me after sharing their ups and downs with them. They had a lot of family in the waiting room and a lot of support. It reminded me of my family. I hope they can find comfort in family through this tough time.
New Room
David is settled into the new room and is actually moving around fairly well with limited support. One side of his head is numb to the touch but from what we understand that is common for a few weeks after this surgery because they cut a number of nerves.
He has a slight fever now 100.3. It doesn't seem to concern any body so I guess they will just watch to see how it goes. The kids are glad he is in a new room so they can all come in and see him at once.
He has a slight fever now 100.3. It doesn't seem to concern any body so I guess they will just watch to see how it goes. The kids are glad he is in a new room so they can all come in and see him at once.
Research shows
Research shows that the uvula prevents food from going into your nasal cavity when swallowing. David says he could do without his. He swears it is 4" long and is really bothering him.
At least it was up until an hour ago. It has been entertaining listening to him complain about it.
The doctor did his rounds and now David got to get rid of his arterial line and his catheter. (YIPPEE). He also told us it is time to move upstairs and out of ICU into a regular room.
That is good news although we hear those rooms are rather small and our room in ICU has been nice and large. They even brought me a fairly comfortable recliner to sleep in last night.
This photo shows the bandage on the back of his head. The red spots are simply dried blood and it doesn't look the greatest, but it gives an idea of how large the incision is. The bandage ends about 1" below the soft collar. I haven't seen the actual incision yet, but the doctor says it is closed up with staples on the outside
and sutures on the inside. He will have the staples in his head for approximately 12 days. He has a few staples on the side of his head where the 'vice' created larger holes.
He ended up getting a funny shave after all and now Mike is in Iraq and Darla is back in Ohio. What will we do?
With an 8-10 week recovery, I guess we have plenty of time to figure it out.
At least it was up until an hour ago. It has been entertaining listening to him complain about it.
The doctor did his rounds and now David got to get rid of his arterial line and his catheter. (YIPPEE). He also told us it is time to move upstairs and out of ICU into a regular room.
That is good news although we hear those rooms are rather small and our room in ICU has been nice and large. They even brought me a fairly comfortable recliner to sleep in last night.
This photo shows the bandage on the back of his head. The red spots are simply dried blood and it doesn't look the greatest, but it gives an idea of how large the incision is. The bandage ends about 1" below the soft collar. I haven't seen the actual incision yet, but the doctor says it is closed up with staples on the outside
and sutures on the inside. He will have the staples in his head for approximately 12 days. He has a few staples on the side of his head where the 'vice' created larger holes.He ended up getting a funny shave after all and now Mike is in Iraq and Darla is back in Ohio. What will we do?
With an 8-10 week recovery, I guess we have plenty of time to figure it out.
What does a Uvula do?
David's nose and throat have been pretty dried out from the oxygen. He keeps complaining about his uvula and asking what it does.More ice keeps it cool and moist but he sure wishes he didn't have one right about now.
He got up and walked about 30 feet this morning then he brushed his teeth and got a sponge bath. He really did smile for the picture but I missed it.
Now we are waiting for the doctor to come in and see what happens next.
Cream of Wheat is for breakfast. Yum, Yum!
One Funny Thing
One funny thing happened yesterday. When we were first allowed to see him in ICU, they had called for a soft collar to put on him. The collar they brought up was an extra small :) It was pretty funny!
It was extremely tiny and the nurses had to make several more calls before someone would bring them a large. David is also to tall for the bed and fills it top to bottom. We have to continually lay him down and slide him up to the top so his feet don't hit the bottom of the bed.
It was extremely tiny and the nurses had to make several more calls before someone would bring them a large. David is also to tall for the bed and fills it top to bottom. We have to continually lay him down and slide him up to the top so his feet don't hit the bottom of the bed.
Good Morning
David had a pretty fitful night. He did make it for 4 hours without medication so that was good! This morning he will take his first walk. It will be very nice to see him up and walking. Later today he should move out of ICU.
The kids visited him last night. Although he tried to joke around with them, he was pretty sleepy. It was difficult for them to see him so helpless. They left in good spirits and will be back this afternoon for another visit.
One pretty cool thing about ICU is the amazing people you meet in the waiting room. One family said 'goodbye' to their Dad twice in one day, both times he made a turn for the better and continues to fight. It was a pleasant surprise to see them still in the waiting room this morning.
We feel truly blessed that the outcome has been as good as it has. There are so many turns it could have taken but your prayers and faith have sustained us and we continue to be blessed! Thank you for being so incredible!
Stay tuned...
The kids visited him last night. Although he tried to joke around with them, he was pretty sleepy. It was difficult for them to see him so helpless. They left in good spirits and will be back this afternoon for another visit.
One pretty cool thing about ICU is the amazing people you meet in the waiting room. One family said 'goodbye' to their Dad twice in one day, both times he made a turn for the better and continues to fight. It was a pleasant surprise to see them still in the waiting room this morning.
We feel truly blessed that the outcome has been as good as it has. There are so many turns it could have taken but your prayers and faith have sustained us and we continue to be blessed! Thank you for being so incredible!
Stay tuned...
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