Hi Everybody,
This is Janet talking, the sickie. I think Dave has kept you pretty well informed as to my progress and I will try to write to each individual as I recuperate. But recuperation has been slower than I'd anticipated and hoped for but having never had a bowel resection (a section the bowel removed) and any kind of abdominal surgery I didn't really know what to expect. But now that I have farted 3 times I think I'm on the mend! For those of you who know me well know that only farting 3 times must be some kind of a record. :-)
By the way, they let me wear my wig throughout this whole ordeal. In fact, when the nurse went to put on the little blue cap I asked if I could wear my wig and he said he didn't know I was wearing a wig. The anesthesiologist said it was OK with him so no one had to look at my little bald head. :-)
Yesterday, day 4 after surgery day I overdid it by doing 5 laps around the hospital floor, taking a shower and eating lunch. Then I felt like crap. The doctor had said I could go home yesterday if I felt OK and in order to not be charged for another day I had to be out by midnight. They also wanted me to fart before I went. I tried, believe me but nothing happened and then my temperature rose a little so at about 10pm I gave up and said I'd stay another night. So here I am today and plan to leave after dinner tonight. I might as well get all that I've paid for, right?
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sent positive thoughts and energy my way. I certainly do feel it and now if you could just send some farts my way I'd appreciate that too. :-)
Love to all, Baldy
Saturday, December 11, 2010
More info from Dave
Well, she is MUCH better today. She over-exercised yesterday and felt
kind of bad for hours afterwards. She is showing admirable restraint
today and doing very well.
kind of bad for hours afterwards. She is showing admirable restraint
today and doing very well.
Re: worry about food down there rotting.
The last 'food' that she ate was Fri night a week ago. Then she took
an Industrial Strength laxative and only clear liquids until the
surgery late Monday. With almost 3 days of out flow and only clear
liquids in, she was 'pretty clean'.
Then, after the surgery she could only suck on ice chips and that only
sparingly for a long time until 'full liquids' like nectars and
pudding. Yesterday (Fri) afternoon was the first 'food'. But, she'd
just done 5 laps and taken a shower and was exhausted. The small
amount of food that she ate, just laid there.
Well, she is almost done writing her first missive since the big day,
so I will send this.
Dave
Results!
Janet finally had the FIRST desired results at 0815AM while I was
talking to her on the phone!
talking to her on the phone!
Everyone has known for years that Janet & Dave are somewhat unusual,
but an excited Internet posting that "Janet passed gas at 0815!" is a
first for us.
But, it is important since we must be certain that the entire bowel
has awakened and is functioning perfectly.
Since checkout time is midnight, at this moment, we assume that she
will stay until at least after lunch and probably longer, just to be
certain that there are no infections, or other worries.
I am waiting for a call about how Jessie is doing. She is just fine as
far as I know now.
Dave
Friday, December 10, 2010
Change of plans
11:27PM Friday
Janet is staying over one more night at the hospital. Just to make
sure her bowel is OK. It is a little behind schedule and we all want
to be sure all is perfect.
Janet is staying over one more night at the hospital. Just to make
sure her bowel is OK. It is a little behind schedule and we all want
to be sure all is perfect.
Dave
Janet scheduled to come home Fri
They are planning to let Janet come home today, if all goes well.
Jessie is well, but not much change as of noon.
Dave
Thursday, December 9, 2010
More good news
9AM Thursday
Sorry to be so slow to update. Dave’s chores have kept him even more busy than the ‘usual’, which was already busy. He left the Motel room at 545AM Wed and got back there about 840PM, but could only stay about 2 hours in the Motel room. He needed to go back to Jessie.
Jessie was moved to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) late Wednesday and the people there seem very nice. Dave spent the night to help the transition, and all went very well, but Dave hopes to have time to try out the Motel bed soon.
Jessie is not recovering as fast as she did from the troubles in early September, but the doctor emphasized that that is to be expected. Please no phone calls or visitors yet. I will keep you posted.
She is better this morning than yesterday PM, so there is certainly improvement.
Janet, as those who know her expected, is doing great and ‘raring to go’. She has even had several visitors, but getting rest is important, so go easy on her. Being more popular than the Prom Queen, can be tiring. She went on a clear liquid diet yesterday morning (Wed) and did several ‘laps’ around the 5th floor pushing her IV pole.
The Holiday Socks that Julie gave her are all the rage. Everyone compliments her on them. She did her first lap today at 3AM and I think that she said that she has done 6 more so far today as of 9AM, so she may wear them out.
She has been put on ‘Full liquids’ which includes Cream of Wheat and other more interesting things. She can get rid of the pole. Hopefully tomorrow will bring at least some kinds of real food and a ‘Get out if Jail’ card, but we will see.
I am writing this from Jessie’s SNF and I will go see Janet next on my way to some sack time.
Many thanks for all of the prayers, good vibes, etc. When you think of any of us, see us with big smiles and having a great time.
Dave
With all of the interruptions, it is now 10AM.
Sorry to be so slow to update. Dave’s chores have kept him even more busy than the ‘usual’, which was already busy. He left the Motel room at 545AM Wed and got back there about 840PM, but could only stay about 2 hours in the Motel room. He needed to go back to Jessie.
Jessie was moved to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) late Wednesday and the people there seem very nice. Dave spent the night to help the transition, and all went very well, but Dave hopes to have time to try out the Motel bed soon.
Jessie is not recovering as fast as she did from the troubles in early September, but the doctor emphasized that that is to be expected. Please no phone calls or visitors yet. I will keep you posted.
She is better this morning than yesterday PM, so there is certainly improvement.
Janet, as those who know her expected, is doing great and ‘raring to go’. She has even had several visitors, but getting rest is important, so go easy on her. Being more popular than the Prom Queen, can be tiring. She went on a clear liquid diet yesterday morning (Wed) and did several ‘laps’ around the 5th floor pushing her IV pole.
The Holiday Socks that Julie gave her are all the rage. Everyone compliments her on them. She did her first lap today at 3AM and I think that she said that she has done 6 more so far today as of 9AM, so she may wear them out.
She has been put on ‘Full liquids’ which includes Cream of Wheat and other more interesting things. She can get rid of the pole. Hopefully tomorrow will bring at least some kinds of real food and a ‘Get out if Jail’ card, but we will see.
I am writing this from Jessie’s SNF and I will go see Janet next on my way to some sack time.
Many thanks for all of the prayers, good vibes, etc. When you think of any of us, see us with big smiles and having a great time.
Dave
With all of the interruptions, it is now 10AM.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wonderful News!!!
930PM Tue
It is easy to see that Janet keeps getting better every few hours. Sitting in a chair for times, etc.
Jessie was better, but recently is not quite as good as a few hours before. Hopefully just a low spot in a generally upward roller coaster. This has happened before as her brain recovers and 'tidys up the blood leak.'
Please note the improved wording two paragraphs below. Janet's OR nurse clarified it about 0700 this Tuesday AM.
740PM Monday
We got to the hospital right on time. However, she was late going into surgery because the operating rooms were running late, but Janet is out and in recovery. It went SUPER well!!!
Janet's surgeon came out and answered all questions. (The next bit should have read.) Her surgeon got all the bad stuff out and the chemo should continue to clean up any invisible 'crumbs' that might have been missed. The first two cycles of chemo had done an excellent job on even the large tumors that were there when the chemo started. Many that they found during surgery had shrunk. Some were just a lump of dead tissue and many visible on the CT scan had disappeared all together.
He did not have to remove any important bits. She will not need any intensive care, just a hospital room. She will probably be out of the hospital in about 4 days with no long-term side effects. Just the standard 'get over having your insides opened up'.
In about a month, there will be 4 more cycles of chemo (12 treatments, but we are VERY happy!
Many thanks to everyone, emails, calls, prayers, love, good vibes, etc, especially some friends that came and 'Dave sat'. (Waited with me in the operating room waiting room.)
It is easy to see that Janet keeps getting better every few hours. Sitting in a chair for times, etc.
Jessie was better, but recently is not quite as good as a few hours before. Hopefully just a low spot in a generally upward roller coaster. This has happened before as her brain recovers and 'tidys up the blood leak.'
Please note the improved wording two paragraphs below. Janet's OR nurse clarified it about 0700 this Tuesday AM.
740PM Monday
We got to the hospital right on time. However, she was late going into surgery because the operating rooms were running late, but Janet is out and in recovery. It went SUPER well!!!
Janet's surgeon came out and answered all questions. (The next bit should have read.) Her surgeon got all the bad stuff out and the chemo should continue to clean up any invisible 'crumbs' that might have been missed. The first two cycles of chemo had done an excellent job on even the large tumors that were there when the chemo started. Many that they found during surgery had shrunk. Some were just a lump of dead tissue and many visible on the CT scan had disappeared all together.
He did not have to remove any important bits. She will not need any intensive care, just a hospital room. She will probably be out of the hospital in about 4 days with no long-term side effects. Just the standard 'get over having your insides opened up'.
In about a month, there will be 4 more cycles of chemo (12 treatments, but we are VERY happy!
Many thanks to everyone, emails, calls, prayers, love, good vibes, etc, especially some friends that came and 'Dave sat'. (Waited with me in the operating room waiting room.)
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