Good Morning Everyone;
I have been up for a few hours already- Just reading, and a few notes in my inbox too.
I was up to the hospital yesterday by 6AM.
Casey was asleep after a very restless night...
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Not wanting to use the flash...
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After checking her stats, I sat in the chair, read in my book, and rested a while.
Just watching her breathe too- Times like this, the rise and fall of her body is nothing short of a miracle to me.
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These are good readings, especially given the fact that she just had her 5th major surgery in little over a year.
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I even napped a bit after sneaking in so early.
Then heard this little sound... "Mom?"
Yes. She was awake. YAY!
She'd had a tough night, but was happier and made more comfortable with the adjusted pain meds on her machine.
Unlike last year, her kidneys seem to be working better.
Her red blood count was a bit low yesterday- Will reserve comment on that until after I see todays counts.
Her WBC was high- Still only 1/3rd of what it was following her TP/AIT though, so that is good.
Her blood sugars were off the chart high (for her)- They had given her insulin on Friday night, and again yesterday morning...
Dr. Sutherland had previously mentioned that he wanted to give her islet cells a break after this surgery. Yet when I asked the nurse about giving her insulin in her IV, the nurse said they "didn't want it to drop too fast, or Casey would really be sick!"
I asked Dr. Sutherland about it all, repeating what the nurse had told me. He wants it in her IV, and left the room saying "that nurse is wrong"...
Guess his notes were misread and not understood.
* Casey's islet cells are very important to him. (Not to mention how very important they are to Casey).
Maybe today her blood sugars will be better managed.
I came back to the hotel and rested a bit; going back up then about noon.
Casey was awake, and showed me her new (old) scar.
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No Velcro yet. hehehe
They used glue this time too.
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She was allowed to eat...
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Ok, so it's only ice chips, but better than nothing at all ...
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Since you can not keep this girl down for long, she was up and moseying about.
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The bed fairies came in and changed her linens while she was out.
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Her nurse, Michelle, (a real sweetie), was 'spotting' her while she walked.
They stopped to be weighed.
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Casey weighed in at 116.5
This is the most she has ever weighed, with the exception of before they removed her megacolon.
So I am a bit concerned that this might be more water weight/retention- She is receiving 150ml/hour of potassium chloride. Will have to check her output when I get up there this morning.
Perhaps her kidneys do need a bit more time after all.
I ordered a pizza for supper last night. (Nothing like homemade, but yummy just the same). Made even better with real tomatoes on it.
Oh, and I'd had a garden salad too!
I'd just taken a pill for my back (and my mouth) before this arrived, and I'd wanted that to work before I chowed down.
So, Punk had to wait and be content with a sniff and a whiff or two.
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As she peeks over the bed toward the table...
hehehe
Hope everyone is having a grand weekend.
More later, I'm sure.
XOXO
Anne
Casey looks very good despite just having had major surgery - but that's Casey for you! Glad all is going well.
ReplyDeleteStasha and I were just talking about needing the update earlier this morning. I am excited it's not awful news. Casey looks as great as I figure you can look after the ugly stuff that just happened. Don't forget to add those leg wraps (for circulation) to her weight.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand her desire to not be held done long (although I understand her need to be monitored right now too). Not even close in respects to surgery, but I had convinced the doc to release me less than 24 hours after my second c-section. I was in the hospital post op almost 36, because I had to wait for pediatrician to release Michaela. I have the dumb luck of giving birth to babies on the weekend when there are less doctors around. The point laying in bed is not where you find me at the hospital.
Love you girl, continue to give us updates, and take care of yourself. ((((ANNE)))) and I will continue my prayers today at church (Glad God doesn't get tired of them, I was praying just before I went back to sleep @ 6:30am and last night before bed @ 11:30pm)
She looks good and that is great. The islet transplants are interesting. I have a chat friend from Texas that had them when they first started clinicals and I think she is just fine. she was a brittle diabetic.
ReplyDeleteCreator is SO GOOD!!! Casey looks much better than you would think. Her battle scar will be something to remember how illness couldn't keep her down. What a brave strong Lady you have there Annie. (You're no slouch in the brave and strong department yourself.) Hope the nurse listens to Dr S this time and gets those sugar levels down. Prayers still for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteOXOX,
Snotball.
PS Poor Punkie DID finally get a taste of pizza, did't she??She looks so pitiful and patient in the photo. LOL.
It's great to see Casey wandering around already. That's a good sign. Gruesome battle scars though!!!! And there's me thinking my 'C' section scar was bad enough!
ReplyDeleteDid Punkie get any pizza? With pleading eyes like that, he should at least have been given a titchy tiny bit!!!! Good job she's not mine, she'd be the size of a barrel!
Love and hugs to all three of you xxxx
gosh shes such a miracle, up and walking around already, its the power of her human spirit and zest for life that I know she will be okay. If I had a wee bit of her strength I would be a better person.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and keep you....sending up prayers for both of you.
ReplyDeletethanks for the update.... wish I had been there to snag a bit of your pizza too....
ReplyDeleteand lend moral support of course.
XOXOOXOx
Big hugs! I know as a parent that has to be so hard on you. She is blessed with you as a mom, speaking from someone who fought major illness and wins over and over. My mom would stay away from the hospital and she was a nurse. I thought that she didn't care. Now I wonder if I made her work too real. I won't know, but I think you are grand, and thanks for the pics. Every mom should be proud of their kids. Aren't digital cameras great?
ReplyDeletethe poor baby with that big new/old scar....OUCHIE! and only glue, no stitches at all? I am so glad the surgery is all over with as I am so sure both you and she are even MORE SO! Good thing you were there when the nurse was doing the IV thing and talking about the islet cells, AND you were able to talk to the doctor about it - hope ALL is straightened out about that now. It seems you must always be on your toes making sure everything is going right and being done right by Casey. She's a strong young woman and it is a good thing she is walking about already, it helps with the healing process. I wish for smooth sailing for the rest of her time there now. {{{HUGS}}}
ReplyDeleteThanks for filling us in on Casey ..She looks great after just having a major operation ..I hope your feeling better also today Anne ..Take care of yourself and as always I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to get your report. It's amazing to see Casey looking so good after such an ordeal.
ReplyDeleteIt's plain to see that prayers do work!! I put your name on the prayer list too, so tell us how you
are regarding the back, the head, the panic attacks and the tooth!!! There's always something,
but I know all these prayers can work miracles, so don't be surprised if you wake up and the dang
tooth has disappeared from your mouth!! lol Try to stay positive and tell Casey I think she is very
strong and special. Love & hugs to all of you. Regards to Greg, I'm sure he's stressed out too.
SO, SO glad to see this. I have been worried... About you both...
ReplyDeleteCasey is so full of life and determination! It takes a strong person to WANT to get up out of bed after such a major surgery!
Casey weighing in at 116 pounds is amazing! I am sure some of it is water weight and the leg wraps probably added a couple of pounds too...
I know you will keep the nurses in line when it comes to Casey's islet cells and her blood sugar... Sometimes the nurses let their heads get a bit 'big' (if ya know what I mean?)
You shoulda took a picture of your pizza and your salad and teased us with it... Poor Punkie... I bet you shared a lil bite with her... hehehe
Keeping prayers going for everyone!
Love Ya!
Slurkie :-)
You said it all when you said "but that's Casey"
ReplyDeletehehehe
ReplyDeleteThe leg wraps only weigh a few ounces... Very very light.
When I had Casey, I was home, with her, less than 12 hours later.
I drove myself there. Mom came to pick me up, and I drove home too. hehehe
(We should write a book).
She was doing well today too.
I will try to post again tomorrow morning.
Just out of curiosity, how old is your chat friend?
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe that Casey has Dr. Sutherland himself. He pioneered the TP/AIT and the TP/ICT procedures in the mid 1970's. What a lifesaver for many it has been!
She is AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI see her, and I think oh my goodness, she will never get out of bed again.
Then she does! hehehe
Like RT said, "That's Casey!"
No worries on the insulin. They have it in it's own measured dose, 24/7 now.
Yes, Punk gets a little pizza. And loves it too!
Same battle scars as before... Just more molested right now.
ReplyDeleteCheck yesterdays "yes" photo. They used the same incision!
But you are right, it does look a bit gruesome right now. But that is a good thing. It means the surgery is over and now it's on to the "rest of her life!"
Punk is still under 100 pounds...
Hopefully she will stay that way...
You got that right!
ReplyDeleteMethinks if I had a bit of her energy and determination I would be a better person too.
She's the energizer bunny in human form!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for stopping by and for offering your prayers!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
There is still half the pizza in the fridge. Come and get it!
ReplyDeleteAs anyone that loves, the waiting, (and now watching) is so very hard... (Even though I know it is so hard on herself too).
Digital cameras are so cool. I would be lost without mine.
And yes, I am everso proud of my kids.
I feel so bad for you, and for your mama too. It must have been so very hard on you both.
They must have stitches on the inside. That's where most of the surgery really was.
ReplyDeleteI would think, anyway?
I don't even remember which nurse it was that had said that... Must have been someone not too familiar with her prior surgeries.
The walking around also means she doesn't have to wear the circulation sox when she is up and around.
She doesn't like them much as they make her really warm.
This sweet child of mine always looks good- even at her worst she can smile, (and I think that's 90% of recovery too!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, my mouth is a bit not as painful. head is fine, but my back sure is making up for it.
hehehe
No worries, I'll be fine!
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to believe that 48 hours ago, +, she was filleted open for hours! hehehe
And now she is put back together and walking around!
Maybe she is Humpty Dumpty too. Except that the doctor DID put her back together again! hehehe
She has attitude PLUS, and that is so very important.
The indignence of these surgeries, and she is beating everything!
If I had the nerve and the courage, I would pull the tooth out myself.
But alas, I am a coward.
You said I should stay positive.
I am positive I am a coward.
No worries at this moment. hehehe
ReplyDeleteShe wants to get up, so she can get on with the rest of her life!
I forgot to ask what she weighed today... But she looked real good.
She had nurse Kelly today.
This gal, like Michelle was yesterday, is a real sweetheart.
Casey had Kelly when she had her TP/AIT- (Casey is still on the transplant floor because of her history).
I shall have to take pictures of my food?
Today I had a bit of chipolte roast, with peas and mashed taters. No pics though. Sorry.
Punk liked it too.
But she doesn't like raw carrots...
ReplyDeleteAnd now I must go nighty night.
My love to you all, and to thank you ALL for your prayers and for sharing your inspirations for us!
XOXO
Me
People wonder why when Drew is in the hospital I stay there with him like I do. Anyone in the hospital should have a person willing to be there with them so that there is an extra set eyes and ears just for that reason. I have caught many a mistake.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see her up and around. Thats good she feels well enough to get out of bed. Drew doesn't like the leg cuffs either for the same reasons...they get so hot...but it helps cut down on DVT's . She definitely doesn't need that to deal with.
Hope they get her sugars in line. Drew feels for her on that also.
Punk looks like she was just checking to see if it was her turn to get at the pizza. She is such a good doggy.
Hope Casey has a better night and continues to feel better and better. She'll wanting to run laps with Greg in the hallway soon..lol
You and Punk have a good night as well. Till later hugs to you all!
I am always amazed and pleased how well Casey does. Love the pictures.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteCasey is doing well- But you will have to wait for the pictures to believe me. hehehe
Will catch up with a blog this afternoon.
I am waiting patiently for the clothes to be dry... (At a buck a crack one would think that at least the load would be dry after that). No such luck.
Darn good thing it is dry in the hotel room, I plan on hanging much of it around the room.
it is snowing and cold today... (Of course it is, this is Minneapolis after all).
XOXO
Me
So good to see casey up and about
ReplyDeleteHi Mommy,
ReplyDeleteThat picture of me with the NG tube in and asleep looks like I’m at least partially comfortable! I think you could’ve taken 100 pictures with the flash on and I wouldn’t have woken up… I was pretty out of it… Your line about watching me breathe really touched my heart! I can’t imagine what you go through every single time I have to go in for surgery… You are a very patient and enduring person, and I’m proud that you are my mother! You’re my rock!
WOW! This would be the first moment that Dr. Sutherland was a little upset by people underneath him overriding his decisions… I can’t believe that he ordered it, yet it wasn’t done… I know that there is always the concern about the sugars getting too low, but they were monitoring my blood sugar level every single hour. I can’t imagine that wouldn’t be enough to catch it in time…
I’m giggling at the new (old) scar line you used! I guess it is both at the same time!! Still no zipper or Velcro, though… Good thing that Dr. Sutherland assured me that this will be my last surgery… Of course he can’t guarantee this fact, but he did everything but… I’m confident, as I feel better than I did after the last two surgeries… Just have to get through the healing process and I’ll be an entirely new person!!!
It’s remarkable how amazing ice chips are when you can finally have those! Boy do they taste great! Although, after a few days on ice chips they don’t taste so great… That’s okay, though, as it was only a few days before they allowed clear liquids! (Well, when they finally got it in the chart and gave me my enzymes… But that’s a whole ‘nother blog!)
The picture of me getting my weight is rather funny! I’m sporting the ‘granny’ walk as the nurses call it… I did get back into an upright position pretty quickly. I made sure to remind myself as I walked that I needed to stand up straight! The weight was definitely boosted by water retention… I had a little bit of a belly as it was quite swollen following the surgery… I think the last weight they got before I left the hospital was around 107, which is still wonderful for me.
YUMMY!!! Pizza! You’re right, though, they are definitely different than homemade. I like the thick homemade crusts with all the fresh toppings… Mmmm Mmmm Gooood! Punkie looks like she is just waiting for the invitation to come up and "assist" you in finishing the food! How considerate of her! :D
Well, I’m super drowsy and my mind isn’t working as fast, so I’m going to take a break for now, but I’ll be back to catch up on more of your blogs!
Love you MUCH MUCH!
~Casey