Bye-Bye Hospital!

Wow, I got a surprising phone call from Dad this morning - they are getting sprung from the hospital today! I thought it would be another day or so, but apparently Mom is doing well enough to be discharged! They were just waiting for her prescriptions to be filled, then they are on their way out. Dad thought they would be settled back in at the hotel by about noon. He said that the oral meds she is on seem to be keeping her relatively comfortable, and the dosages she is on are less than after her surgery in New York. Right now the plan is to stick around the area for a couple days, then hit the road back home on Friday morning!

Jennifer

Monday

I talked to Mom this morning, and she sounded great! She said that she is still really struggling with the pain, but I wouldn't have guessed it by how she sounded. She is such a trooper! They did decide to take the IV out today, so she is on oral meds now. She was up for 3 walks last night, and has been up twice again today. Before the surgery, she was fortunate enough to connect with some extended family that lives in the area that she has never been able to get to know, and some of them are planning a visit to her in the hospital today. It is really helping that she has something to look forward to today!

Jennifer

More Progress

Mom has been moved out of the ICU and in to a regular room. Her pain level is still extremely high, but they are doing their best to control it. She is still on IV meds, but they are talking about taking that out and starting the oral meds possibly tomorrow, but more likely the day after. She has been sitting up on the edge of the bed to eat (solid foods today - yeah!) and has been able to take a few steps to sit in the chair. Before Dad left the hospital this evening they were talking about trying to get her out for a walk down the hall sometime tonight. They seem to think that she is progressing quite well in her recovery so far. Since it will still be at least another day before the IV comes out, Dad thinks that they have at least another 2 days before she will be released from the hospital. I will post more tomorrow when I get another update!

Jennifer

Saturday's Update

Mom is still in ICU as of right now, but should be getting moved to a regular room sometime today. She hasn't tried to stand up yet, but did sit on the edge of the bed today. Dad thinks that when the physical therapist comes back, they will probably try to get her up for a step or two. She also was able to eat a little bit - only liquids so far, but at least it's something! She was alert enough today to be asking about her grandsons, who are of course missing her and sending their love! Dad was able to talk to the surgeon and he said that she definitely has more curve to her back, which is a big part of what they were trying to accomplish. He got caught by the Cell Phone Nazi in ICU, so if you can't get through to him, he probably had to turn his phone off! But he says that everyone is more than welcome to call, just leave a message if he is unable to answer.

Jennifer

Morning After Surgery

I don't have a lot to tell you this morning, but I'll give you what I've got! Mom is still in the ICU. They had hoped to move her to a regular room sometime today, but it looks more likely that it won't happen until tomorrow, or at least later tonight. Dad re-iterated that the procedure went great. The surgeon was able to do everything that needed to be done, including relieving the pressure being caused by the leaking spinal fluid. Dad wasn't sure if he completely removed the sac, or just drained it, but either way the pressure has been eliminated. I will keep updating the blog as I get more information!

Jennifer

Quick Update

I know everyone is very anxious to hear how everything went. My dad just called and said that Mom is out of surgery and is in the ICU for pain control. The surgeon said everything went very well. It was late and Dad didn't want to stay on the phone for too long, so I don't have any more details at the moment. I will keep you all posted as I know more. I know how much Mom & Dad appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Jennifer

Surgery Update

I will be having my fourth back surgery on January 22nd, this time at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. This surgery is another spinal fusion with correction of what's called "flat back syndrome". We are hopeful that stabilizing my spine will allow me to be able to be more active again and have less daily pain. We will be using this blog to keep our many friends and family updated on my progress. We are thankful for your prayers and support, and we hope that you will be able to use these updates as a good way to keep in the loop on how things are going. Please feel free to leave comments if you have the time. I appreciate being able to hear from you. Also look forward to seeing some joyful updates that I'm sure will include some of our time with our grandsons!