It was a long day, but Kelly survived the trip home....it actually went a little better than expected. The only real problems were some pain on liftoffs due to change in pressure and the jolting of the landings. My mother has done a great job at the house. Everything looks just like we left it. Debbie and my mom arranged for a hospital bed to be put in our master bedroom to keep Kelly more comfortable.
Marilyn has already reported back for more duty. She will be here for a while to help take care of Kelly during the day. I wonder if she is making Hank wash his own clothes or what.
Debbie and Andy were also here to help Kelly get situated. I have attached a photo of the kids with their mom. Needless to say they were happy to have her back home.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
10:30 A.M. EDT - LAST DAY HERE
Not that much new today. Kelly has been up and around, eaten some cereal, stretched her neck muscles, and is now resting again, so I slipped away to the hospital to update the blog for a final time today. I probably will not be able to update the blog on Saturday.
One funny anecdote....to stretch Kelly's neck muscles, the physical therapist showed me how to place my hands on both sides of Kelly's head to keep her chin up and her head straight up and down, while she turns her head from one shoulder to another. Once she goes as far as she can on her own, I have to apply more pressure to stretch those neck muscles. Ocassionally, Kelly has mentioned to me that I was applying too much pressure, but I was barely touching her head. Well, last night we were trying to comb through Kelly's hair (what she has left) and I noticed a small screw-sized hole just above and behind her temple. We figured out this was one of the spots where they affixed (screwed) her head to some equipment so that it didn't move during the surgery. As you might expect, when I touch this particular spot, it was quite tender and explained why she thought I was applying a lot of pressure and I thought I was barely touching her.
Kelly and I are both anxious to get back home, but neither of us are looking forward to the trip. Kelly is not walking that well yet, so a New York cab ride, some wait time at the airport, a flight, a connection in Dallas, another flight to OKC, and then getting in the car and driving 40 minutes to the house just does not sound that fun to Kelly. We have arranged for special services to provide wheelchairs so she doesn't have to walk the airports, so that will help a lot. But, we would appreciate your prayers that the trip is tolerable for Kelly.
Thank you all again for your support, notes, cards, flowers and kind words, but especially for your prayers. We hope to see you all soon.
One funny anecdote....to stretch Kelly's neck muscles, the physical therapist showed me how to place my hands on both sides of Kelly's head to keep her chin up and her head straight up and down, while she turns her head from one shoulder to another. Once she goes as far as she can on her own, I have to apply more pressure to stretch those neck muscles. Ocassionally, Kelly has mentioned to me that I was applying too much pressure, but I was barely touching her head. Well, last night we were trying to comb through Kelly's hair (what she has left) and I noticed a small screw-sized hole just above and behind her temple. We figured out this was one of the spots where they affixed (screwed) her head to some equipment so that it didn't move during the surgery. As you might expect, when I touch this particular spot, it was quite tender and explained why she thought I was applying a lot of pressure and I thought I was barely touching her.
Kelly and I are both anxious to get back home, but neither of us are looking forward to the trip. Kelly is not walking that well yet, so a New York cab ride, some wait time at the airport, a flight, a connection in Dallas, another flight to OKC, and then getting in the car and driving 40 minutes to the house just does not sound that fun to Kelly. We have arranged for special services to provide wheelchairs so she doesn't have to walk the airports, so that will help a lot. But, we would appreciate your prayers that the trip is tolerable for Kelly.
Thank you all again for your support, notes, cards, flowers and kind words, but especially for your prayers. We hope to see you all soon.
2:00 P.M. IN THE VARIETY HOUSE
Sorry about the frequency (or infrequency) of updating the blog, but there is no wireless access at the variety house, so I have walked back over to the hospital to give you this update. There will probably just be one more update on Friday after this one today. Probably no update on Saturday since we will be traveling.
Kelly got a much better night's sleep, but I am still setting the alarm every fours hours or so to give her medications. If we let too much time pass, the pain becomes quite severe, so we try to stay on schedule even overnight with the meds.
She woke up feeling a little better than yesterday morning. She is walking around a little more, doing her neck exercises, and is a bit more clear-headed than she has been. She is looking forward to getting home. We will be leaving Saturday on a 1:00 flight and will arrive at the house around 7:30 P.M. or so.
Marilyn made it back home yesterday safe and sound. It sure was nice to have her here to get through the hospital stay and pretty much around the clock duty. The nurses try hard, but they have so many patients, they just lose track sometimes, so you really need an advocate in the room at all times to keep up with things.
Kelly now has a bladder infection, so we are starting a round of antibiotics (cipro) this afternoon. We are praising God for a great surgical outcome!! The initial recovery process has been a bit more painful than Kelly expected, and I think the continued recovery process is still going to take a lot of work, but we are sure thankful the Lord has brought us to this point with minimal complicatiojns.
We have received a lot of cards and flowers and they sure brighten the day and the mood over at the variety house. Thank you very much. But, more than anything, we believe that God answers the prayers of his people, so thank you for your continued prayers!
I will make another blog update tomorrow, and then it will likely be Sunday before you see anther one.
Kelly got a much better night's sleep, but I am still setting the alarm every fours hours or so to give her medications. If we let too much time pass, the pain becomes quite severe, so we try to stay on schedule even overnight with the meds.
She woke up feeling a little better than yesterday morning. She is walking around a little more, doing her neck exercises, and is a bit more clear-headed than she has been. She is looking forward to getting home. We will be leaving Saturday on a 1:00 flight and will arrive at the house around 7:30 P.M. or so.
Marilyn made it back home yesterday safe and sound. It sure was nice to have her here to get through the hospital stay and pretty much around the clock duty. The nurses try hard, but they have so many patients, they just lose track sometimes, so you really need an advocate in the room at all times to keep up with things.
Kelly now has a bladder infection, so we are starting a round of antibiotics (cipro) this afternoon. We are praising God for a great surgical outcome!! The initial recovery process has been a bit more painful than Kelly expected, and I think the continued recovery process is still going to take a lot of work, but we are sure thankful the Lord has brought us to this point with minimal complicatiojns.
We have received a lot of cards and flowers and they sure brighten the day and the mood over at the variety house. Thank you very much. But, more than anything, we believe that God answers the prayers of his people, so thank you for your continued prayers!
I will make another blog update tomorrow, and then it will likely be Sunday before you see anther one.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
9:00 A.M. EDT WEDNESDAY
We got a reasonable nights sleep last night, but Kelly slept directly on her back, rather than on her side, which put pressure on the head incision and gave her some pain and dizziness this morning. Kelly had some Cream of Wheat, Cheerios, and hot tea for breakfast.
Maryilyn is packed, looking like a million bucks, and ready to go home this morning. I will get her off to the airport around 12:30. We haven't seen the doctors yet today, but we expect to be released from the hospital sometime today.
Maryilyn is packed, looking like a million bucks, and ready to go home this morning. I will get her off to the airport around 12:30. We haven't seen the doctors yet today, but we expect to be released from the hospital sometime today.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
7:00 P.M. EDT - CONTINUING RECOVERY
TWO bowls of cereal for dinner tonight and now she is disinfecting the room with germ junk. Previously, when we walked, I was holding on to her elbow and supporting her, but tonight she is walking by herself with a cane for assistance.
Marilyn is planning to head home tomorrow on a 4:oo Southwest flight and arrive in OKC at 8:20. Kelly will be moving out of the hospital and into the variety house tomorrow. Probably looking at getting Kelly home on Saturday.
Marilyn is planning to head home tomorrow on a 4:oo Southwest flight and arrive in OKC at 8:20. Kelly will be moving out of the hospital and into the variety house tomorrow. Probably looking at getting Kelly home on Saturday.
1:00 EDT - CLEAR HEADED AND HUNGRY
The old Kelly is returning. I could see the wheels in her mind turning this morning. She woke up going through lists of things that needed to be done, planning, and organizing her bedside tray. She has been awake all day today, with no catnaps and no dozing off. So, the medications must be wearing off. She is also in much less pain today. She was actually excited about lunch arriving. I have a feeling I will soon lose control on the updates of the blog....
The therapist came around today and gave us all a little training on how to develop Kelly's neck muscles. The doctors are likely to keep us here one more night. We will be moving to the variety house tomorrow. Looks like we may be heading back to OKC on Friday or Saturday depending on how much Kelly progresses.
The therapist came around today and gave us all a little training on how to develop Kelly's neck muscles. The doctors are likely to keep us here one more night. We will be moving to the variety house tomorrow. Looks like we may be heading back to OKC on Friday or Saturday depending on how much Kelly progresses.
Monday, September 15, 2008
10:00 P.M. - STILL RECOVERING
Kelly is walking much better. She is able to walk from her bed to the bathroom in her hospital room by herself now. However, she is still nowhere near 100%. She didn't keep her food down again today. She is still doing a lot of basic neck exercises, shoulder shrugs, turning her head back and forth, etc. It is important to do them frequently to break up the scar tissue, and if done correctly now, will increase her neck mobility later.
For those curious about the tube coming out of Kelly's incision at the base of the neck, I should have mentioned that this is for drainage. There was quite a bit of fluid created by the trauma of the operation. They removed that tube yesterday.
For those following the blog to learn more about the Chiari surgery and recovery process, Kelly wanted to mention that they are constantly checking your blood sugar and may need to give you insulin. Also, due to a significant amount of time flat on your back that could result in respiratory problems, they give three Heparin shots in the stomach each day. Risks of Heparin include low blood-pressure, vomiting and other side effects.
Also, I see our kids hacked us again. Guess I'm going to have to improve that password. Don't let anyone at Devon, especially Internal Audit, know that my password wasn't secure enough!
For those curious about the tube coming out of Kelly's incision at the base of the neck, I should have mentioned that this is for drainage. There was quite a bit of fluid created by the trauma of the operation. They removed that tube yesterday.
For those following the blog to learn more about the Chiari surgery and recovery process, Kelly wanted to mention that they are constantly checking your blood sugar and may need to give you insulin. Also, due to a significant amount of time flat on your back that could result in respiratory problems, they give three Heparin shots in the stomach each day. Risks of Heparin include low blood-pressure, vomiting and other side effects.
Also, I see our kids hacked us again. Guess I'm going to have to improve that password. Don't let anyone at Devon, especially Internal Audit, know that my password wasn't secure enough!
LOVE YOU!!!!
Love You Mom, Love You Dad WE MISS YOU. HI GRANDMA
Hope You Are Having Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU ALL
Hope You Are Having Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU ALL
MONDAY 4:00 P.M.
More progress today with a few walks of about 30 yards each. One of the poor nurses forgot to bring the pain medicine, and well, lets just say that probably won't happen again. They are talking about releasing Kelly from the hospital room in the next day or two. We would then move her to "the variety house" for a few more days until she has recovered enough to travel.
I have attached a photo of Kelly when her back was turned. DON'T LOOK AT IT if you are squemish!! Also, I have been telling Kelly they didn't take much of her hair, so let's just keep this little photo to ourselves, at least until I get home and have a more comfortable doghouse to sleep in.
I have attached a photo of Kelly when her back was turned. DON'T LOOK AT IT if you are squemish!! Also, I have been telling Kelly they didn't take much of her hair, so let's just keep this little photo to ourselves, at least until I get home and have a more comfortable doghouse to sleep in.
MONDAY MORNING - 9:00 A.M. EDT
Kelly had her first decent nights sleep since the surgery. Being in a regular room without as much in-and-out from the nurses was great. She woke up feeling good and ready to take a walk. We disconnected her from her IV, took off those pump-it-up air booties and went for a short walk. She got tired fairly quickly but did very well.
So far, all her neurological functions seem to be doing fine. Walking, coordination, movement, eyesight, etc. all seem to be good. She is having some trouble swallowing, but the docs say that is probably a result of swelling in the neck that is normal with this surgery.
Kelly is doing neck exercises every 30 minutes to help reduce scar tissue and improve her neck movement. The scar on the back of her head is pretty long, going from the crown of her head down to where the neck touches her shoulders. It seems to be healing very well. She is sleeping again now and we're looking forward to a great day.
So far, all her neurological functions seem to be doing fine. Walking, coordination, movement, eyesight, etc. all seem to be good. She is having some trouble swallowing, but the docs say that is probably a result of swelling in the neck that is normal with this surgery.
Kelly is doing neck exercises every 30 minutes to help reduce scar tissue and improve her neck movement. The scar on the back of her head is pretty long, going from the crown of her head down to where the neck touches her shoulders. It seems to be healing very well. She is sleeping again now and we're looking forward to a great day.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
SUNDAY 8:00 P.M.
Kelly took one look at what she said looked like dogfood on her hospital tray tonight and sent me to the cafeteria for a box of corn flakes and milk. Kelly really enjoys her cereal at night, even here in New York. We went for another short walk tonight.
By the way, I am really enjoying all the comments that you guys are making on the posts. Thanks so much for following along with Kelly's progress. Just so you all know, she isn't up to reading yet, so I am reading them to her. I'm sure as soon as she gets off some of this pain medicine we'll go through them all again. She says to tell everyone thanks and that she loves you all. Also, I am not smart enough to use Kelly's phone, but I see it has a lot of calls and emails on it. I doubt that she can get to that phone for at least another day or so.
Marilyn was talking to Debbie today and made the mistake of handing her cell phone to Kelly. It was like taking crack cocaine from an addict to get that phone out of her hands. Her hand strenth and grip are better than I thought.
Marilyn is now staying at a house across the street called "the variety house", kind of like a Ronald McDonald house for families of patients that have long stays. I met another woman there today who had a Chiari surgery 4 years ago, but had to come back for the tethered cord surgery a few days ago.
I have been promoted from a chair to some type of chair that pulls out into a bed. I tried to pull the bed out earlier and it looks like it would fit Kylee or Bailee just right, if they could handle the screeching of those springs....oh, well, better than that chair in the ICU.
By the way, I am really enjoying all the comments that you guys are making on the posts. Thanks so much for following along with Kelly's progress. Just so you all know, she isn't up to reading yet, so I am reading them to her. I'm sure as soon as she gets off some of this pain medicine we'll go through them all again. She says to tell everyone thanks and that she loves you all. Also, I am not smart enough to use Kelly's phone, but I see it has a lot of calls and emails on it. I doubt that she can get to that phone for at least another day or so.
Marilyn was talking to Debbie today and made the mistake of handing her cell phone to Kelly. It was like taking crack cocaine from an addict to get that phone out of her hands. Her hand strenth and grip are better than I thought.
Marilyn is now staying at a house across the street called "the variety house", kind of like a Ronald McDonald house for families of patients that have long stays. I met another woman there today who had a Chiari surgery 4 years ago, but had to come back for the tethered cord surgery a few days ago.
I have been promoted from a chair to some type of chair that pulls out into a bed. I tried to pull the bed out earlier and it looks like it would fit Kylee or Bailee just right, if they could handle the screeching of those springs....oh, well, better than that chair in the ICU.
SUNDAY 4:30 - MOVED TO REGULAR ROOM - HURRAY!!
Kelly slept much better last night! I stayed with her again. This morning she ate a few bites of breakfast and made a couple of laps around the nurses station. They have disconnected most of the tubes and wires. She is still getting some IV fluids (40 ML/Hour) and she has some leg booties on that inflate and deflate to help with the circulation since she isn't up and around much yet.
We moved on the regular floor in the Neurology wing. We are at North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Fourth Floor - Cohen Wing, Room 473, Manhasset, NY 11030
Marilyn and I had to give the room a little spit shine with anti-bacterial wipes before Kelly could get comfortable. I have to admit, it needed a little wipe down! Marilyn just got Kelly out of her hospital robe and into her pajamas that she brought. She is getting better each day.
We moved on the regular floor in the Neurology wing. We are at North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Fourth Floor - Cohen Wing, Room 473, Manhasset, NY 11030
Marilyn and I had to give the room a little spit shine with anti-bacterial wipes before Kelly could get comfortable. I have to admit, it needed a little wipe down! Marilyn just got Kelly out of her hospital robe and into her pajamas that she brought. She is getting better each day.
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