After being gone all day yesterday, Mom came home to find me not feeling as well as I had been. Upon further investigation emotions were set on a roller coaster and it was discovered that I had fluid return to my lungs. We took notice of what I had eaten and noted a slight increase of salt intake. It had not been great, but several meals of one or two items with "a tiny bit of salt" racked up. I felt like the good year blimp, I had gained 3/4" around my middle as well as several lbs. I was already dealing with the emotional upset of not being able to wear my jeans and this just pushed me over the edge. I was tired of feeling "fat and frumpy" in my pj pants. Instead of it getting better, it got worse. So, yes last night was ruff emotionally as well as not feeling as well as I had been physically. I was put back on water restrictions for the evening. By morning the story was better. I had lost the 3/4" gain around my middle as well as an additional 1/4". I was also back to the weight I had been at. My middle does not feel as swollen and tight. That was last night....This morning I was feeling better after learning my 'lasix' pill had worked. I went to church with Mom & Dad. I was humbled at the number of people there that had been praying for me! Most of the people there only know me through Mom & Dad and don't actually know ME. I was deeply touched! This afternoon I came home and took a nap then enjoyed some reading. Although I didn't read alot as the medications I was on at the hospital are still effecting my eye sight. (Which I was warned would be the case) This evening I went back to church. I was blessed by attending. I believe the devil tried to sabatoge me last night and try to get me so discouraged and depressed that I would decide not to go to church. I am so thankful that was not the case!
I called our neighbor this evening and learned that we'd gotten around 1" of rain out our way. Bob is running home tomorrow to make sure the sump pump is working and it did not flood the basement. The sump pump is suppose to keep the basement from flooding - not cause it. However, it has been known to decide to up and stop working at the most inconvenient times! Right now we have a "concert" in the works. Earnie is playing the trumpet, Mom & Peter violins & Faith is tooting on a recorder. Peter is finding Faith's rendition of their song less than acceptable, but to her Mommy it's rather cute!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Saturday
I believe it has been several days since I blogged. I have found it difficult to get an internet connection at Mom & Dad's. Dad helped me this afternoon though, and so I should be set. He got me set up so I can use their internet on my laptop. Much easier than a few other things I'd tried.
I am progressing a tiny bit each day. Nights are still ruff on me though. I am slowly learning what works and what doesn't when it comes to sleeping. Simply put, I make the rounds at night. I can not sleep in one spot all night long. So, I have resorted to getting up every few hours and moving to a new "bed". My back can only take so much of one spot. The only trouble is I have to catch someone getting up for a drink or potty break in the middle of the night to help me move. Although I have learned how to "roll" off the couch. lol As long as I get my feet planted I'm good. If I happen to land on my knees, I'm in trouble. It takes Dad or Bob to lift me back to my feet.
Faith, and my brother Peter are back home...and acting like sister & brother! I think Peter is feeling his "baby of the family" roll being invaded and he doesn't much like it. He loves to boss Faith and make sure she does everything exactly as he thinks it needs to be done. However, they can get along beautifully if they both decide to be nice.
Yesterday, was a pretty good day. We had nice weather here and yard work was in full force. Dad & Bob were out cutting up a tree that had fallen. I walked up to the barn and decided I could help. Upon arrival, Mom was pleasantly surprised to see me picking up sticks. Oh, it wasn't anything that spectacular! Faith could have handled ones bigger than what I was grabbing. But none the less it was good exercise and movement for me.
My back is still giving me fits, but I did notice alittle relief today. Praise the Lord! My fluids are slowly but surely receeding. The scales show a decrease in weight ever other day or so.
Lord willing, I am going to try to go to church with Mom & Dad tomorrow. I told Mom I would go if we could find some clothes for me to wear. My tummy is still just a swollen little ball and elastic is my friend. (I am really starting to want to put my blue jeans back on though).
Mom left us today and went to a convention in Des Moines. Dad was late getting home from work this morning so that left Bob, Faith & I home with my 2 brothers. What an interesting arrangement! Earnie, my 14yr old brother got breakfast, lunch and is working on supper right now. I couldn't do much as lifting anything other than tiny sticks just doesn't go.
Please keep praying for my recovery. I am doing well, but have along road ahead of me still.
I am progressing a tiny bit each day. Nights are still ruff on me though. I am slowly learning what works and what doesn't when it comes to sleeping. Simply put, I make the rounds at night. I can not sleep in one spot all night long. So, I have resorted to getting up every few hours and moving to a new "bed". My back can only take so much of one spot. The only trouble is I have to catch someone getting up for a drink or potty break in the middle of the night to help me move. Although I have learned how to "roll" off the couch. lol As long as I get my feet planted I'm good. If I happen to land on my knees, I'm in trouble. It takes Dad or Bob to lift me back to my feet.
Faith, and my brother Peter are back home...and acting like sister & brother! I think Peter is feeling his "baby of the family" roll being invaded and he doesn't much like it. He loves to boss Faith and make sure she does everything exactly as he thinks it needs to be done. However, they can get along beautifully if they both decide to be nice.
Yesterday, was a pretty good day. We had nice weather here and yard work was in full force. Dad & Bob were out cutting up a tree that had fallen. I walked up to the barn and decided I could help. Upon arrival, Mom was pleasantly surprised to see me picking up sticks. Oh, it wasn't anything that spectacular! Faith could have handled ones bigger than what I was grabbing. But none the less it was good exercise and movement for me.
My back is still giving me fits, but I did notice alittle relief today. Praise the Lord! My fluids are slowly but surely receeding. The scales show a decrease in weight ever other day or so.
Lord willing, I am going to try to go to church with Mom & Dad tomorrow. I told Mom I would go if we could find some clothes for me to wear. My tummy is still just a swollen little ball and elastic is my friend. (I am really starting to want to put my blue jeans back on though).
Mom left us today and went to a convention in Des Moines. Dad was late getting home from work this morning so that left Bob, Faith & I home with my 2 brothers. What an interesting arrangement! Earnie, my 14yr old brother got breakfast, lunch and is working on supper right now. I couldn't do much as lifting anything other than tiny sticks just doesn't go.
Please keep praying for my recovery. I am doing well, but have along road ahead of me still.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Faith is coming!
Good Morning! I realized I had not blogged on here yesterday. The day slipped away without my realizing it. Tuesday night was alittle ruff, but after a dose of tylenol slept the rest of the night. Wednesday, yesterday, went pretty well. I have learned that upon waking in the morning I am as stiff as a fence post. Mom has to sit me up in bed and help me get up to a chair. A hot pack on my back for 30mins does the trick and I'm up moving in "granny-low" for the rest of the day. Last night I actually noticed an improvement in the way I felt. Mom went to church leaving Bob & I home to get Dad off to work. I think the 'job' of getting Dad out the door got my mind focused on him instead of me and lifted my spirits. Grant it I couldn't do anything other than give orders to Bob for getting supper on the table, but it gave me a purpose. lol
Today is looking to be a good day! Faith has been fever free for 48hrs and should be at Mom & Dad's sometime in the next couple of hours. I can hardly wait! It's like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning.
I have been walking alot. I have enjoyed the sunshine and take advantage of it. Mom's flowers are always nice to go out and see several times a day.
I would ask you to keep praying for me. A few items of concern -
1) The water retention would subside. I gained a significant amount of weight as well as inches around my waiste. It is all from fluid. Please pray the fluid would leave and water/fluid restrictions could be kicked out the door...SOON!
2) Fluid around my lungs. (I Guess this goes hand in hand with #1) My lung sounds are getting better, but in the morning I can still feel rattles in my right side.
3) My tongue - I know, what an odd request! But during surgery at some point they damaged the side of my tongue and it is very painful!
4) Healing of my chest. It's doing well, and want it to stay that way.
Praise the Lord
-I continue to make small steps on the recovery road.
-I can lay down by myself (although I can not sit up alone)
-I have actually noticed a small step of improvement since yesterday morning
-Faith is well and will be here later this afternoon
-Parents willing to let us 'live' with them and help take care of me
Have a wonderful day and I shall talk at you later!
Today is looking to be a good day! Faith has been fever free for 48hrs and should be at Mom & Dad's sometime in the next couple of hours. I can hardly wait! It's like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning.
I have been walking alot. I have enjoyed the sunshine and take advantage of it. Mom's flowers are always nice to go out and see several times a day.
I would ask you to keep praying for me. A few items of concern -
1) The water retention would subside. I gained a significant amount of weight as well as inches around my waiste. It is all from fluid. Please pray the fluid would leave and water/fluid restrictions could be kicked out the door...SOON!
2) Fluid around my lungs. (I Guess this goes hand in hand with #1) My lung sounds are getting better, but in the morning I can still feel rattles in my right side.
3) My tongue - I know, what an odd request! But during surgery at some point they damaged the side of my tongue and it is very painful!
4) Healing of my chest. It's doing well, and want it to stay that way.
Praise the Lord
-I continue to make small steps on the recovery road.
-I can lay down by myself (although I can not sit up alone)
-I have actually noticed a small step of improvement since yesterday morning
-Faith is well and will be here later this afternoon
-Parents willing to let us 'live' with them and help take care of me
Have a wonderful day and I shall talk at you later!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Praise
Wow! There are many things to thank the Lord for today! One of them, this is MICHELLE!! My sister has been so kind to keep this updated for all of you and I want to thank her. This time though I write to you myself.
This morning at zero dark thirty (Doctors make their rounds to early!) the drs came in to check me out and my chest tube was still draining. Dr. Davis (my surgeon) was not with them so consultations had to be made. Later in the morning he came in and said they wanted me to get up and walk. Depending on the output they "might" take the tube out. Mom & Bob took me for a 'long' walk and then another one. The doctor's final decision...The tube comes out!! You know what that means! I get to go home!!!! Yipee! They took the tube out, I had another consultation with the nurse, some other 'at home instructions' and I was off.
My great home coming was dampened though when I learned that Faith spiked a fever late this morning. She's come down with a bug so I can not see her yet. I am very sad about that, and she is too. Lord willing I might be able to see her Thursday if her fever leaves.
On the lighter side of life.....Did you know that if you have just had major surgery and your mother suggests you eat prunes....DON'T. Yes, It may have been a few days since "regular" but it sure beats the other! She gave me 4 prunes (thank heavens I didn't eat 8 like she wanted!) and then her & Bob decide I need to go for a 'walk'. Oh, have mercy! Let's just say short walks ruled for awhile...I just wasn't moving 'that' fast.
We got home this evening and with great thrill am able to use the 'washroom' alone. The only trouble was...Mom heard a knocking on the inside of the bathroom door. When she opened it up there I stood, unable to open the door! I am not allowed to do ANYTHING with my arms, and when the bathroom door sticks shut, that means I can't even open it.
Thank-you all for your prayers!! I know it's because of that I'm home as soon as I am. Oh, and in home, that really means Mom & Dads. Thanks again!!! My eye lids are getting very heavy so I think I'll go take a nap so I can go to bed later. LOL
This morning at zero dark thirty (Doctors make their rounds to early!) the drs came in to check me out and my chest tube was still draining. Dr. Davis (my surgeon) was not with them so consultations had to be made. Later in the morning he came in and said they wanted me to get up and walk. Depending on the output they "might" take the tube out. Mom & Bob took me for a 'long' walk and then another one. The doctor's final decision...The tube comes out!! You know what that means! I get to go home!!!! Yipee! They took the tube out, I had another consultation with the nurse, some other 'at home instructions' and I was off.
My great home coming was dampened though when I learned that Faith spiked a fever late this morning. She's come down with a bug so I can not see her yet. I am very sad about that, and she is too. Lord willing I might be able to see her Thursday if her fever leaves.
On the lighter side of life.....Did you know that if you have just had major surgery and your mother suggests you eat prunes....DON'T. Yes, It may have been a few days since "regular" but it sure beats the other! She gave me 4 prunes (thank heavens I didn't eat 8 like she wanted!) and then her & Bob decide I need to go for a 'walk'. Oh, have mercy! Let's just say short walks ruled for awhile...I just wasn't moving 'that' fast.
We got home this evening and with great thrill am able to use the 'washroom' alone. The only trouble was...Mom heard a knocking on the inside of the bathroom door. When she opened it up there I stood, unable to open the door! I am not allowed to do ANYTHING with my arms, and when the bathroom door sticks shut, that means I can't even open it.
Thank-you all for your prayers!! I know it's because of that I'm home as soon as I am. Oh, and in home, that really means Mom & Dads. Thanks again!!! My eye lids are getting very heavy so I think I'll go take a nap so I can go to bed later. LOL
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday Afternoon
Bob sent two messages this morning. The first was that they misunderstood the Doctor, and that Michelle does not have pneumonia. So, praise on that account. Also the Doctor said that she should be able to get out of the hospital as soon as she has her last tube out. It is still draining some, so they will wait for that to stop.
The second message said that she has gotten up and was dressed in street clothes. (That has to make you feel better- hospital gowns, ugh!) I think she has also been walking more, but I kind of forgot and I don't have the phone right now to check.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we can also continue to pray that the fluid would totally clear from her lungs.
The second message said that she has gotten up and was dressed in street clothes. (That has to make you feel better- hospital gowns, ugh!) I think she has also been walking more, but I kind of forgot and I don't have the phone right now to check.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we can also continue to pray that the fluid would totally clear from her lungs.
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