Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Finally some rest...

Well, Tina is finally out of surgery, and resting in the ICU. It wasn't always comfortably, but at least it is now resting!

After Tina's Mother, Father and I sat in the waiting room for over 2 1/2 hours before they 'remembered' we were there(even though we told them a few times!), we finally were allowed into the ICU to see Tina, and man, was she in pain! She couldn't move, talk, or even breathe without the pain over taking her. When we got there, it seems they were very slow to administer meds to her while they were waiting for the meds from the surgery to wear off. The poor girl...the nurse said she had been there for over 45 minutes! We immediately got her to get a couple of morphine shots (as well as the epidural she was receiving), and the 3rd dose finally did the trick, she finally was at least able to at least tolerate the pain, and was able to get an hour or two of sleep. As Tina's mom said...that was why we were there...to make sure she got taken care of!

After her little nap, she was MUCH more with it, and got a bit more morphine as the pain was returning as the earlier shot wore off. Her oncologist here in Phoenix, Dr. Donovan, showed up and she even asked about eating, even though she wasn't hungry. No mistaking she was still in a ton of pain, but at least now it seems bearable...

Since ICU has a 2 person limit right now, we have been shuffling people in and out all day as she slept. She will be here for 24 hours or so before they move her to her new room. It was surprising how LOUD the ICU was! There were only a couple of people in the ICU with her, but with the way the nurses and doctors talk, laugh, etc...I don't know how anybody could sleep. It wasn't the 'library' I was expecting...

Not too long after we got to see her, Rick took off from the hospital and picked up Teya from school, and of course he spoiled her with Ice Cream and swimming afterwards. Typical Grampie...with that kind of treatment I don't think she noticed we weren't there! :) I took off a bit early to give Rick a chance to take a nap (we have all been up since 4 or so), and we are all getting kicked out at 6:30 so they can change staff. After dinner, we will again start the 2 person rotation while someone also stays home to take care of Teya. While we aren't allowed to sleep bedside, Rose is going to pull the night shift and stay overnight. Hopefully tomorrow she will have her own room early and the rules change a bit...

Anyway, so we are so happy all went well, and TJ is now cancer free! It is so tough to see her in the pain, but hopefully it gets better over time. I am sure even she would say she would make the trade any day :)



7 comments:

Anonymous said...

We're so glad that surgery went well, but sorry to hear she was in so much pain.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for Tina and a little sleep for ALL of you!

CB said...

Glad to hear surgery was a success. Please give Tina Jo lots of (gentle) hugs for us and keep on those Dr's and nurses to keep the pain meds flowing! Looking forward to seeing my cancer-free friend soon!

The Lasker's said...

We are so glad to hear the surgery went well today. We wish Tina a speedy recovery and know she'll come out of this just fine with all of the support of her friends and family.

Jason April and Mollie

Anonymous said...

TnT, having been through something similar recently, I'm thrilled the procedure went well, and that you're starting recovery! And it sounds like you're being the perfect advocates - no patient should be without one, so keep up the good work!

ICU
n. Abbr. Intensive Care Unit
The worst place in the world to be -- unless it's the best place in the world to be. When you need that critical care, you have all our modern medicine can offer. But once that's not a necessity, it becomes the Intense Cacophony Unit - the beeps, whistles, alarms, nurses, injections, pokes, vitals all conspire to make sleeping more than 5 minutes impossible. And when you finally get that 30 minute window -- the Doc will show up for rounds.

The comparitive peace the regular floor brings is wonderful - you just then have to put up with not being Patient #1 anymore!

And as Sara could tell you - the pain will pass. And you can see if saying, "It's all part of the healing process!" gets you the same glare I received...

You're all in our thoughts - Michael

(I am surprised they enforce a 2 person, no bedside sleeping, get kicked out for shift-change policy. You might be able to get past that if you push politely.)

Anonymous said...

We are so happy for the good news and sorry that she had to endure so much pain. We love you guys. We are great at spoiling kids, so let us know if you need us to pick Teya up for a visit with the Browns!

Anonymous said...

We are so happy the surgery went well. Get lots of rest!! You are in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Love,
Linda, Scott, Sky and Jordy

Anonymous said...

We send lots of hugs for Tina and your whole family. Hope you know we are thinking of you and wishing you restful days and nights for a very speedy recovery!
With love, Lis, Dav, Kob, & little K