Two pieces of good news...Cindy was moved to a room at 3 a.m. this morning...and she took her first steps!
Our friend, who manages the physical therapy dept, came in and worked with her. She said that Cindy's mobility with her leg (which we saw for the first time) is incredible. Cindy was determined to walk down the hall and did a great job. I took pictures, which I will try to post soon.
We are on the same floor that we spent many of our overnight visits during chemo, so we are with nurses that we know from past visits. Our day nurse is one who we know well.
The exercise knocked her out and she is fast asleep.
Infectious desease visited and indicated that the infection is still in the femur and they will prescribe 6-8 weeks of IV antibiotics, which we have been through before so it is not a big deal to us. If the antibiotics don't rid her of the infection, more surgery may be required, but that is down the road and we are going to think positively that we will not face that issue.
Cindy is in great spirits and is making incredible progress.
I'll update later in the day with more news.
Showing posts with label Hospital Activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hospital Activities. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
WAITING FOR A ROOM
I had the opportunity to spend about 30 minutes with Cindy after surgery. She was doing well, but very tired and sleepy. The recovery room was so packed I was asked to leave as they needed my sitting space for more patients. As such, I have not seen her for awhile and not sure when I will be able to see her again.
The hospital is so crowded that we may not be able to get a room tonight. The results will be that they will likely move Cindy into the Intensive Care Unit...not because she needs to be there, but because it is an open space so she does not have to remain in Recovery overnight.
In the past, when Cindy was in Intensive Care, I was able to sleep in their waiting room. Unfortunately, they changed the rules and no longer allow it. I will likely wait until late tonight and either get a room at a hotel or drive home to Orlando, catch a few hours of sleep and return in the morning.
The great news is that Cindy's vital signs are sound. She typically does not do well with surgery and her BP drops dramatically. That did not happen this time. What a relief! For me, this was the most stressful part of the present/upcoming ordeal. The next task is to keep her happy and thinking positively.
Any and all communications from you all will go a long way toward achieving this goal. Please feel free to post comments on the blog so Cindy can read them when she is able.
The hospital is so crowded that we may not be able to get a room tonight. The results will be that they will likely move Cindy into the Intensive Care Unit...not because she needs to be there, but because it is an open space so she does not have to remain in Recovery overnight.
In the past, when Cindy was in Intensive Care, I was able to sleep in their waiting room. Unfortunately, they changed the rules and no longer allow it. I will likely wait until late tonight and either get a room at a hotel or drive home to Orlando, catch a few hours of sleep and return in the morning.
The great news is that Cindy's vital signs are sound. She typically does not do well with surgery and her BP drops dramatically. That did not happen this time. What a relief! For me, this was the most stressful part of the present/upcoming ordeal. The next task is to keep her happy and thinking positively.
Any and all communications from you all will go a long way toward achieving this goal. Please feel free to post comments on the blog so Cindy can read them when she is able.
SURGERY A SUCCESS
Cindy is out of surgery. All went very well.
Katie (Kevin's wife) and her mom (who is one of our closest friends) joined us for the early morning ride to Tampa for today's events. They have been with us throughout.
After a 1 1/2 hour delay, Cindy was taken to pre-op. We were met there by two of our good friends who are doctors in the hospital. Cindy had everyone in stitches. She asked each physician who would be operating on her and the anesthesiologist if they were in good moods and if they got enough sleep the night before. She wanted to ensure that they had their morning caffiene before they worked on her. She even bribed two doctors with chocolate chip cookies if they did a good job.
The surgery took 1 1/2 hours. We were told by the doctors that the leg was in very bad shape and there was nothing they could have done to reduce the infection; therefore amputation was the only option. Presently, some infection remains in the femur, but they are confident that they will be able to rid her of the remaining infection with a regimen of IV antibiotics.
As I write this, Cindy is sleeping in the recovery room. One of our friends who works here went back to look in on her and said she woke up, said "hi", responded that she is in just a bit of discomfort and dropped back off to sleep.
Because the hospital is packed with patients, we learned that it will be several hours before Cindy is provided with a hospital room. Until then she will remain in recovery. I will be allowed to see her in a bit less than two hours from now.
I'll provide an update when I see her.
Katie (Kevin's wife) and her mom (who is one of our closest friends) joined us for the early morning ride to Tampa for today's events. They have been with us throughout.
After a 1 1/2 hour delay, Cindy was taken to pre-op. We were met there by two of our good friends who are doctors in the hospital. Cindy had everyone in stitches. She asked each physician who would be operating on her and the anesthesiologist if they were in good moods and if they got enough sleep the night before. She wanted to ensure that they had their morning caffiene before they worked on her. She even bribed two doctors with chocolate chip cookies if they did a good job.
The surgery took 1 1/2 hours. We were told by the doctors that the leg was in very bad shape and there was nothing they could have done to reduce the infection; therefore amputation was the only option. Presently, some infection remains in the femur, but they are confident that they will be able to rid her of the remaining infection with a regimen of IV antibiotics.
As I write this, Cindy is sleeping in the recovery room. One of our friends who works here went back to look in on her and said she woke up, said "hi", responded that she is in just a bit of discomfort and dropped back off to sleep.
Because the hospital is packed with patients, we learned that it will be several hours before Cindy is provided with a hospital room. Until then she will remain in recovery. I will be allowed to see her in a bit less than two hours from now.
I'll provide an update when I see her.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Day Before The Big Day
We spent the day at the hospital throughout the morning and into the afternoon. We had a meeting with pre-op (which took 2 1/2 hrs) and then the surgical team. The surgery has been moved to tomorrow morning.
Once we departed, we went straight to the Magnolia Hair Salon, which is owned by our friend Julie. Cindy had a haircut and a pedicure (of her right foot, only). Face it, why have a pedicure of the left foot if she is donating it tomorrow. :-) Pictures were taken which I hope to post in the near future.
From there, we ran errands and stopped by Barnes & Noble so Cindy could buy a journal. She found the perfect one. It says, "One Step At A Time" on the cover. From there we went to an ice cream shop to celebrate Cindy's new life as a mobile person, which begins tomorrow!
That's it for now. Time to finish the household chores before it gets too late.
I will write again tomorrow.
Rob
Once we departed, we went straight to the Magnolia Hair Salon, which is owned by our friend Julie. Cindy had a haircut and a pedicure (of her right foot, only). Face it, why have a pedicure of the left foot if she is donating it tomorrow. :-) Pictures were taken which I hope to post in the near future.
From there, we ran errands and stopped by Barnes & Noble so Cindy could buy a journal. She found the perfect one. It says, "One Step At A Time" on the cover. From there we went to an ice cream shop to celebrate Cindy's new life as a mobile person, which begins tomorrow!
That's it for now. Time to finish the household chores before it gets too late.
I will write again tomorrow.
Rob
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