Monday, January 18, 2010

Post Surgery - Day 4

It's been a long couple of days and Sue had wanted to try and send a note to all of you, but she hasn't been able to yet. Yesterday, went okay for her. Her swelling didn't go up more, as they had expected and she was able to move from the ICU to a general nursing floor. We had thought that this would provide her with a little less activity in her room, from a nursing standpoint, but it actually seems as though there are more people coming and going now. She has actually gotten a little less rest than in the ICU, I would say. This is really frustrating her.

I believe that her lack of rest really hit her today. She has really been down and wants to 'just be done with this'. They have been poking, prodding, and bugging her non-stop. I can see that she feels helpless and though she has no control over the situation. It is painful for me to see her this way and I feel a little helpless at the same time.

Her biggest complaint right now, from a medical standpoint, is that her trach is very uncomfortable and she feels as though she can't get any full breaths of air. They want to switch it out to a smaller size, but she is fearful of the discomfort this will cause. I do hope that they are able to do the change and that it is comfortable for her. I believe that this would allow her to be more comfortable as it would allow some air to come in via her mouth and nose, as well as the trach. This is because while the air opening is actually the same size as the current trach, the walls of the new trach aren't as wide and don't block off as much of the airway.

Other than that, the doctors still are happy with the surgical sites and are hoping that she may be a bit more active tomorrow. We need to start getting her out of bed a bit more and they may want her to actually put a little weight on her leg tomorrow.
Just pray that she gets some good rest tonight and that the new trach will provide her with more comfort. I think these two things would make a world of difference for her.

We thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Jason

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jason, thank you for taking time to update your many friends and prayer partners on Sue's progress. You and she are holding up remarkably well, considering what has been going on in your lives the past several days. But progress has been made, and will continue, and sooner than you think, this will all be behind you. God bless and keep all of you; you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, and those of hundreds of others.

Bev Johansen

Anonymous said...

Dearest Sue, I don't know if you're reading updates yet, but when you get to this one, I just want you to know that I had the privilege of spending the day with your girls (MLK day). They are so spunky and sweet and handling all this so amazingly well. Just like you. God is carrying your entire family through this recovery process, and our prayers have not ceased in intensity. We love you and can't wait until you're feeling a bit better. We ask God for that every day.

All our love,

Rich & Cheri

Anonymous said...

Jason,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know how Sue is doing.
I am sure it has taken its toll on both of you. Please know that each day will be better and that many are covering you both in prayer. Keep pressing on and allow God the time He needs to put His healing hands on Sue to restore and renew.
Sue, you are a strong woman of God! You have taken on this battle and with God's grace you are winning! Hang in there for better tomorrows. God is in this fight with you and He will see you through.
"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Love and hugs,
Nikki

Tracy Crumpton said...

Thank you again for keeping us updated Jason.

Dear Sue, We pray for your comfort, and hope that your breathing becomes easier each passing second. We continue our prayers for you. Stay strong and know that we love you.

Tracy & Matt

Anonymous said...

Jason,
You and Sue are so strong. We will continue to keep both of you and your little girls in our prayers.
God bless all of you.
Dave and Mary Lou Jones

Anonymous said...

Dear Jason, Thank you for your update...you are a strong man and I know this is hard for you to watch Sue struggling with the trach. Trust the dr's in their choice to change it, they seem to have made the right choices so far! You will get through this "time" and before you know it be looking back on the beginning of 2010....it is wonderful to see familiar Platteville names on your blog! Please feel our prayers and strength...your family is in God's wonderful hands. Tomorrow is a new day...
Kari Karrmann Sides

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and praying for you every day!

Thank you Jason!

Mary

Anonymous said...

Stay tough you guys. I know it is hard, but this feels like the home stretch. We have been receiving answers to prayer and it seems that things are falling into place. We look forward to lots of evenings in the backyards this summer: fire pit stoked up, smores everywhere, kids running around like crazy, and all of us teasing Jason about the Cubs.

Derek and the gang.