It was a long night at the hospital. Mike as I said ran a fever he also had a good deal of pain, reflux and belly cramps and spasms. Watching him struggle was difficult and there was little I could do. I ratted him out to his nurse at 7:30 pm. By 8 pm we had the Colo-rectal Doc on call up to see him. They drew urine and blood cultures. Hit him with some Tylenol, gave him IV pain meds, gave him hot packs for his belly, something for his reflux and also gave him some extra IV fluids.
Mike continued to be restless and uncomfortable until about 1:30. At that time his night nurse came in and he got a sleeping pill, more IV pain meds, another hot pack and a muscle relaxant. I got chased down to the visitors lounge to sleep with two other people. One whom emitted every bodily sound known to man in various and interesting combinations.
At 5:30 I went to check on Mike. One of the student Docs was in checking him and said that Dr Moonie would be in shortly. Dr Moonie checked him over. Said she wasn't really concerned about his temp, which was down to 97.8. She said his urine was fine and that we were still waiting on the blood cultures but she didn't expect that to show anything. Sometimes people just run temps after surgery she said and we would just keep an eye on him. She also thought we may have advanced his diet too quickly. Mike will be backing up on his food for now. He will be getting something stronger for his reflux.
Dr Moonie ordered his catheter removed. He has 6-8 hours to try to urinate on his own or it goes back in. She added that there was still swelling down in the pelvis and that he may not be able to go on his own yet and that is normal also.
I'm back at the hotel for a shower and breakfast. I hope to be back before Dr Madoff shows up. I'd like to get the bosses blessing on all that Moonie said. Not that I don't trust her I think she is a hell of a doc...it's just that Madoff is the boss.
I'd like Mike to have a better day today. He needs it and deserves it. This has all been so hard on him and he could use some easy. I'd like to see him smile today...that would make my day.
Peace,
Karen
3 comments:
So glad to hear the fever is down. You are both doing great. This is hard work...even watching/reading. Bummer on the reverse in foods but is hospital food really worth it anyway? I think Jell-o is really their specialty. As long as they don't start putting chunks in it. Ew.
It does sound as if he tried to run before learning how to walk Karen, but we both know that fevers often come after surgery and hopefully that is what is going on. It also sounds as if you need some sleep lady. Remember you won't be much good to him if you can barely get about. (Nag, nag, nag...I know) So try some Tylenol PM for yourself if you can't rest and see if it helps. He is strong, and he's doing great so hang in there. Karen
I'm sure you know all of this, in fact I know you do. But I'm going to say it anyway.
I was so out of it and in and out of pain and having up and down days and minutes and that was just with my hand. When I had my appendix out it was worse still. I think what Mike is going through is to be expected. He DID just have a good part of his body removed and in some very sensitive areas. Not only does all that tissue need to heal, but then there is the muscles, and the the guts have to rearrange themselves.
Considering he is ONLY 1+ days post surgery he is going fantastically. I bet he feels like shit (no pun intended). I know it has to be really, really hard to watch him go through this. There is nothing worse than feeling helpless to help those you love while they suffer.
Big hugs to both of you!
I'll be plucking bunnies either tonight or tomorrow. I'm not sure if I can get both of them done at once though.
Love you, keeping you close in my thoughts.
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