Just got home from the hospital...spent the night with mom again. We had planned to watch some girly TV but time just seems to fly at the hospital as it seems like there's always something to do - change gowns, sponge baths, dressing changes, nebulizer treatments, walking, readjusting tubes, fighting with the ng suction - times just seemed to pass us by!
Mom had a good day today. Despite a rough night last night and a bit of an emotional roller coaster (mom's words not mine) she rebounded well. Finally got moved to a semi-private room tonight which I think will make a HUGE difference. Her room mate is a lovely lady about the same age. Mom and her have had sort of had "reverse" surgeries. Her room mate has stomach cancer and had her stomach removed and esophagus pulled down. Mom has had her esophagus removed and stomach pulled up. I joked that the two of them should become friends because together they would be whole...sick sense of humour I know, I think I inherited it from mom.
Up and walking, increased energy, less nausea - all small battles won. Dr. Doom and Gloom #2 (the surgeon) visited again today and without pausing even a second he proceeded to bring mom down .... chest tubes will not be removed until after the swallowing test of Monday. He always seems to bring bad news (for no particular reason - everything is going well and he's the expert of course) - but he never focuses on the good progress at all. It's been an important lesson for us all - communication is so important. Sometimes the lack of communication causes more suffering than the disease itself. Mom's misinterpretations of his already doom and gloom news just make things worse. When he came in the room today he said to mom "this is the first time I've seen you in bed" (which in itself is a compliment). Later in the day mom told me "ya and what a jerk, he told me that everytime he sees me i'm in bed." Of course she took great offence to that comment as she has been working hard on her ward laps. AHAH I had to correct her.
Up and walking, increased energy, less nausea - all small battles won. Dr. Doom and Gloom #2 (the surgeon) visited again today and without pausing even a second he proceeded to bring mom down .... chest tubes will not be removed until after the swallowing test of Monday. He always seems to bring bad news (for no particular reason - everything is going well and he's the expert of course) - but he never focuses on the good progress at all. It's been an important lesson for us all - communication is so important. Sometimes the lack of communication causes more suffering than the disease itself. Mom's misinterpretations of his already doom and gloom news just make things worse. When he came in the room today he said to mom "this is the first time I've seen you in bed" (which in itself is a compliment). Later in the day mom told me "ya and what a jerk, he told me that everytime he sees me i'm in bed." Of course she took great offence to that comment as she has been working hard on her ward laps. AHAH I had to correct her.
Not much else to report…just killing time now - waiting for the swallow test, waiting for the pathology report...wait wait wait...ugh. Will update again tomorrow!
Thanks for continuing to update everyone Kelli. It must be hard to find the energy some days but it never goes unappreciated, believe me. It's so nice for all of us to hear of every small victory and every step of progress. Tell Mom to keep up the good work, every lap is another battle won, and tell that physio to keep (lovingly) whacking out that mucous! So much love. x Janice
ReplyDeleteHi Kelli, great update yesterday. Tren's chest tubes stayed in for 4 weeks..and we prayed every day for 28 days that today would be the day they came out. And then one day....was "The Day". As you know, they play a vital role in the healing process and some things just heal on their own time...in Tren's case that took longer than pretty much everyone else on the planet.
ReplyDeleteAs for Dr. Happy Pants, use him to your advantage - tell Mom his another reason to keep highly motivated and to get out of there. Give Mom a big Rabbit Weekend hug from us. Love Amy and Tren