May 30, 2009

saturday morning update

Hello all. Computering isn't convenient from the hospital, let me tell you. By the time I got to my motel room the last couple of nights, I was just too pooped. And, I'm sharing my room with my dad's wife so it isn't easy to set up that way either.

Anyway, my dad is in his own room - we lucked out and he got a private room. He is much weaker and in much more pain than he was after the bypass surgery. For this type of aneurysm surgery they pretty much take out all of your "stuff" and lay out on the table next to you while they put in the new aorta. He had to have a bit larger one that went down to where the arteries for his legs branch off. Anyway, they put your stuff back in but it goes into shock sort of or "sleeps" as the nurses say. This type of surgery is much harder to recover from. His insides are still asleep today. He has a tube going through his nose down to his stomach draining bile and stuff, so he can't even have ice chips yet or a sip of water. His mouth and throat are very dry and it is hard for him to talk. He actually has tubes all over the place draining and filling up different parts. He dozes most of the time, we are here to help him suck out the yuck from his mouth and wipe the insides with cool wet sponge-cicle things and help communicate with whoever asks him questions - he doesn't hear very well - and help when his IV gets a kink in it cuz he bent his arm too much (they showed us how to fix it), etc - those are the little things. He will have the epidural a couple of more days at least. His pulse is weak and faint in one foot so we are waiting for the doctor to come and make sure nothing collapsed due to that new branch off the aorta - that is the worry today but we feel pretty good that it is okay - his foot is much warmer today.

I've read all the comments below and you brought tears to my eyes - you are all so kind and I gain so much strength and a smile, maybe soggy, but a smile from your loving caring messages. My computer battery is almost out of juice and right now not in a place I can plug in. Pam - I've been sleeping with my teddy bear for good luck and sweet dreams (along with a little help from xanax that I am only taking at night to settle down and go to sleep). Love to you all! Maybe in a day or two I can write about something more fun than all of this!

Marsha

16 comments:

Lori Saul said...

I wish the very best to you and for a speedy recovery for your Dad. I'm sure that your presence gives him great strength and support. Take care of yourself now too!

Kim Mailhot said...

big hugs and deep breaths...and of course, prayers.
Love Kim

NancyB said...

Sending prayers and good vibes for your Dad and you too! I hope he recovers quickly! Many big hugs!!

thekathrynwheel said...

Sending best wishes to you and your dad from little old England. These are tough times for you but I guess the only way is up. Or onward and upward as my sister would say. Thinking of you all (and still smiling at my fishy picture! Taking it with me to a journal workshop tomorrow to show it off!) Hugs x

yoborobo said...

Hi Marsha! I know you are really going through it on so many levels right now. All you can do is tackle the day before you, and let it go at night. Take care of yourself - I'm sending you a big hug, and a gold star for being so very brave. Glad Teddy is there to help. :) xoxo Pam

aliceinparis said...

Gosh, it's miraculous what can be done nowadays. Really. Your dad is so lucky to have all of you by his side advocating for him and tending to the needs you can. Hard work on many levels.
Hugs xo

Jamie said...

I am thinking of you all and sending healing wishes to your Dad. Thank you for taking your precious free time to update us and let us know how you are. Hang in there and try to rest when you can. Love you! Jamie

Linda M. Cain said...

Will be thinking about you and your dad. Remember to take care of yourself. He's in good hands!

Linda Cain

Chrisy said...

You're doing so well dearest...keep plodding along...one foot in front of the other...breathing slowly deeply...trusting...

Joy Logan said...

Thinking of you. My dad never made it thru this.

Renee (nayski) said...

So glad you can be with your dad right now. I'm sure that just by being with him you are helping his recovery and giving him strength. I'm glad the surgery is over, sounds like quite a major ordeal. Stay strong and spoil yourself a little bit too.

Leslie said...

Still thinking of you and sending very positive energy your way!! One of my favorite quotes is by Emily Dickenson: "Hold dear to your parents for it is a scary and confusing world without them."

Cathy said...

oh marsha, lifting up prayers for all of you. continuing to believe for good things. hugs!

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Sending positive energy and healing to you and yours Marsha
Take good care!

Melissa said...

Marsha, I'm wishing your daddy and you the best and am keeping you all in my prayers. Sounds like your dad is a pretty tough guy. You keep taking good care of him and don't forget to take care of yourself as well because there is only one fabulous collage creating Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!
Smiles-
Melissa

roc said...

oh..i've been away for the weekend so i missed your first update. i am so thankful to hear now that your dad is doing better. my husband's father had the same surgery and you are right, it does take some time to recover from. it sounds as tho he is making progress now. that is wonderful news. i'm praying for you all.