A quick update for everyone. Sue is doing well in the medical staff's eyes, but she is still feeling a lot of pain. She continues to swell a little more in the cheek area, but the eye area is actually the same or a little less than yesterday. They expect tomorrow for her to hit her max for swelling.
Sue is handling the swelling well, but the leg is still causing her most of her pain. When they harvest the bone, they also cut off a muscle in her calf, and I think that is what is really uncomfortable for her. She is fine as long as they keep on top of her pain meds, but if they get even a little behind on coverage, it really becomes painful for her.
Sue's other issue is with the suctioning of her throat and mouth. She need her trach suctioned out occasionally, or it becomes a challenge to breath. All I can say is that she handles all of this stuff a lot better than I could. She really is one tough woman! The good thing is that they've allowed her to start covering the trach port so that she may talk a little bit. It was fantastic to hear her voice again. One thing we did learn today is that we wouldn't make a good scharades team...I was having trouble reading her hand motions today and she had to right on paper more than she wanted to.
As I said above the doctors are really happy with her progress. The tissue is getting blood and is healthy. Her leg looks good, her vitals are solid, and her stitches look good. PT actually came through today and got Sue out of bed and into a chair this afternoon. They didn't put any weight on her effected leg, but Sue did really well in their eyes.
My favorite part of the day was seeing Sue interact with her main doctor when he came through to visit. You could see that she is doing a little better as she started kidding around with him (via her writing pad). I think he enjoyed that as well. He has been telling her for some time that surgery would be easier/less painful than chemo and radiation were. She called him out on that today and gave him a smile and chuckle. He said that he would ask her in another 10 days about her opinion. I feel lucky that she found such a wonderful doctor whom she has been able to build a great bond with. You can see that they both have a lot of respect for each other.
I have a feeling that Sue might be doing a blog update sometime soon...hopefully tomorrow. She is certainly a much better writer than I am.
Jason
15 comments:
You do a great job, Jason! I have been checking all day for an update, thank you. It is so wonderful to hear all of the good news. It must be so frustrating trying to communicate for Sue right now...this too, shall pass! Before you know it she will be letting everyone know just exactly what she needs and then she'll be running after you and the girls! Continue your strength, we can all feel it and your intense love for your family...don't forget to take some "down time" for your self, too. Kari Karrmann Sides
Jason, you do a wonderful job keeping us informed! Thank you for taking the time to do that for us. We are so anxious to know about Sue's recovery and glad she is doing so well.
Love and prayers,
Maryann Raese
I couldn't be happier for your family! We will continue to pray for good news and comfort for Sue with the pain. Thank you for taking the time to update the blog, Jason!
Julie Dahl
I think you have been doing a fantastic job keeping us updated. I am so happy to hear Sue is doing so well. She is an amazing woman. I will continue to pray and keep you all in my thoughts. God Bless. Ruth L.
Thank you for posting an update Jason. Glad to hear that she is in good enough spirits to give the Dr. a jab or two. I hope her pain eases and the swelling is minimal. Please give Sue our love.
Tracy & Matt
Hi, Jason,
Just like everyone else, I've been checking for an update, and I was so glad to find this one. You're right; she is one tough, terrific, and very, very blessed woman. You have both been through a tough year, but you've been there for each other. God bless and keep you all four. (And thank you again for letting us know how Sue is doing!)
Bev Johansen
Thanks for the update, Jason. You know you're a good writer! All we need to know is that Sue is doing well, and that you are there for her. Please let me know when she's up for visitors.
We love all of you so much, and you are always in our thoughts.
-Katie and Tom T.
Give Sue my love. I'm so glad to hear that she was up and out of bed yesterday, even if for a short time. She's taking baby steps now, but we all know she'll be running again soon! Let us know if you need anything. We will continue to pray for healing and relief from pain.
Love,
Michelle E.
Thanks for the updates, Jason. We are so glad to hear some good news! We'll pray for Sue's recovery to continue to move in the right direction. Give Sue our warmest greetings. You two make a great team -- charades or not :-)
Love,
Jason and Tracy Good
Hi Jason,
I have been following Sue's blog since the beginning, but have never posted a comment. I have been thinking and praying for Sue and your family. Your family has gone through so much. Sue and your family are such an inspiration. Thank you for posting the updates and I will continue to pray for a speedy and complete recovery for Sue.
Sincerely,
Amy (Bonin) Loeffelholz
This is all such good news. I can relate to the leg pain. When I broke my ankle badly and had to have surgery and pins and a plate, it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Bones hurt really bad and nothing they did would ever really take the entire pain away, it just made it bearable. That will get better in time also and with each day she will see improvement. I'm so proud of her, she is a beautiful strong person and I can't wait until she is home. Thank you Jason for the updates. You all are such dear people to all of us. We look forward to hearing from Sue in the next day or so.
Susan Thomas
Jason,
Thank you for keeping us updated. Your mom gave us the link to your family blog. We continue to pray for you and your family.
Cindy (Graves) Mudroch
Thanks for the updates, and so glad that everything is mending up well so far. Hoping the pain begins to diminish for Sue!
Jason,
you're the best. thanks so much for all of your updates. we all really appreciate them!
Lynn Lyons
Jason,
I have been keeping up with you and your family and keeping you in my prayers. I was glad to hear the latest update. I will continue to pray for Sue's recovery.
Tricia (Theiler) Wells
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