Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sunday Morning


Well, it's time for another update. Shanda is continues to improve daily, I'm so proud of the progress she has made.  The very first night she was here was a night she would not like to repeat.  When she came back from surgery, she was very comfortable, but maybe a little too comfortable.  The epidural was too strong and the numbness in her body was climbing up to her chest, which slowed her breathing down.  They completely stopped the epidural for one hour, and thats when the hell started for Shanda.  One can understand how painful it must have been, hours out of surgery, not to have pain medication.  Poor shanda suffered the next 10 hrs while the nurses tried to get her pain under control.  Of course she didn't get any sleep and was just miserable.  Well, here we are two days later, and things are much better.  Her pain management is under control, and she is eager for the next step- "Get the dang tube out f my nose" .

Because her bowels are asleep, she is given a long tube that goes up her nose and down her throat to the stomach.  I know what you are thinking , I want one of those too.  Anyway, as you can imagine, Shanda hates this thing, her throat hurts, she can't talk, and is constantly thirsty ( no liquids until it is out).  MISERY is the best word I can come up with.  So, until her bowels wake up, that stays in.  Dr says the more she walks around, the quicker her bowels wake up and the dang tube can come out... so, she walks a TON, I love it, it is so who she is.  She gets something in her mind, and does anything to get it accomplished.  She is wearing me out with all the walking, but well worth it.  We do laps around the hospital floor 2-3 times per day, even in the middle of the night.  I love her.  We just saw the Dr and he listened to her bowels and he is hoping to pull the tube out tomorrow, so we will wait and see.

This is our third major surgery and visit to this Hospital in Spokane.  She is usually here for a couple weeks at a time, so nurses around here start to look familiar.  They all know Shanda  and remember her very well from past visits.  They just love her.  They appreciate her upbeat personality and great positive spirit.  Shanda definitely sticks out on this floor, she is by far the youngest patient, (not a lot of cancer patients at 32), she loves to talk to everybody, and people just gravitate towards her.  It has been fun to see her interactions with staff and other patients.  I'm so proud to call her my wife.

Anyway, gotta go, more will come.

Larry

10 comments:

Laurene said...

Shanda: the "mind over matter" champ!

reverseoreo said...

Thanks Larry for the update we appreciate it very much. I talked with Martin and gave him an update on Shanda and we talked about prayers being answered. We are going to continue to pray that Shanda can come home soon and continue to get better. We are greatful for wonderful friends.

Halfords said...

Such great news!! Love you, Shanda!!

Natalie said...

Shanda's smile and loving personality will help so many others. We are praying for you all!

Kesterfam said...

Good news to hear that she is doing well! Alicia too had an epidural go high, clear up to her high chest which caused her to puke, feel like she was unable to breathe, etc... not a fun experience. Hope her recovery continues to go well and that you guys are back home soon!

Jennica said...

Great post...thanks for sharing such true sweet sentiments about that amazing wife of yours. Here's to hoping that tube comes out soon!

Marilyn Harness said...

Next thing you know she will be running down those halls. Determination is her middle name. Love to know that she is doing well. Today will be the turn over. Probably not her best. Hope she is going to be out of that hospital soon. Love ya Shanda. Too!

Kelly said...

I really like your gown. It makes you look like a princess!

Judaloo said...

Smiling from ear to ear!!! Addie told Jacie today, "Jacie, guess what? My mom doesn't have anymore cancer, and she doesn't have chemo anymore either!" Jacie just looked at her kinda funny, then we (I explained cancer, and Addie explained Chemo) told her what it meant. She still couldn't wrap her head around it, but Addie did an amazing job!!

Ellyn said...

I am so happy to hear this news and it is apparent how much you love her! She is a wonderful and strong woman and is in our prayers :)