Hospital Day 10: I'm excited for my family to come see me today. I'm trying to sweet-talk a nurse to help me wash my hair and give me a sponge bath. :) I'd do it myself, but I hurt pretty horrible still. They had to remove my epidural too early because of an infection in the spine...and they haven't figured out a reasonable pain control method since. I'm just trying to roll with the punches. My abdomen is swollen and is persistently making insane amounts of fluid. The small drain is trying to keep up, but it feels like I am going to rip my stiches from the pressure from the fluid. We aren't sure again what is causing that. I have had it for over a year, but now the drs. get a better firsthand look.
I'm still running constant fevers which are not good. Obvoiusly a sign of an infection somewhere...but which one. We don't know yet. Last year I was running fevers and had an abcess after this same surgery. A radiologist went to drain it and missed the abcess completely, but stuck a drain in my intestines (that had already been cut on 5 times plus burned and poisoned)..so another emergency surgery was tried by my intenstines and stomach opening couldn't even be stitched closed. My skin and tissues where too compomised to even hold a simple stitch. It was so gross. You could see all the way to the inside of my intestines by looking in my stomach. If I coughed...it would shoot out of my abdomen and spray the wall. (sorry...there were worse stories...so be glad I chose the "safer" flashbacks.) It started a cycle of fighting for my life. I was 88 lbs, on a feeding tube, wound vac, borderline comatose, and almost lost my battle to a stupid abcess. Sorry for the long rant, but the Dr's think I have another one. You see why that makes me a bit nervous. I'm sure the darn fever I've had all week is from something else...pneumonia sounds good. That is their next best guess. Please just not another abcess.
There is probably more I should write, but my thoughts are on my kids coming. This has always been a very scary place for both of them...and most of the time I was too critical for them to come anyway. I want to make this fun. I have gathered strange goodies from around the hospital and am making them a treasure hunt with clues that will take us around the floor of the hospital I am stuck on...but also am going to do a photo scavenger hunt around my room and the winner gets to cuddle with me for extra time. cheezy, yes...but I want my kids to be distracted by games and just feel more comfortable and natural here than the past. I hope it works. Addie is terrified of hospital beds and always worries that she will hurt me. If I can get her to snuggle a bit in my hospital bed, than that will be great. I'll let you know how it goes. I need to go make my clues and start hiding them. I'm back in my blogging groove...
10 comments:
Even if it is about your unpleasant experience, we love to hear how you are doing Shanda. Thanks for keeping everyone updated. We hope your visit with your family goes well and that the girls are able to relax and enjoy your company as well. If sometime during the week the girls think it would be fun to come over and play after school, let us know. We would love to have them!
Shanda,
No way is ANY of that corny! Love the idea of a scavenger hunt, and playing games is what the girls will talk about forever. Just a chance to have fun with their mom is all they want! I knew, when I met you at camp, that your girls and family are first and foremost in your thoughts. They are the push you have to get through all the crap. Keep up the corniness! Laughter is such good medicine. I will keep following you girlie, good karma comin your way from Indiana!
Momma Pearl
Gee, I wish I could be there for the treasure hunt! Maybe you just have an excess of creative juices bubbling around in your tummy! You ought to be earning some rare exclusive degree for all you are learning through your experiences.
Have the doctors tried you on fentanyl for pain? I had an IV pump and then they put me patches when I'm released from the hospital. It helps me with pain and it was easy to wean myself off of it.
Hang in there. There are a lot of positive thoughts and prayers going your way.
You go girl! Keep it, stay strong.
The scavenger hunt is an awesome idea. What a fun mom! You are such an inspiration to me! Lots of love and prayers from the Turners.
that makes me want to cry about your girls but i admire your zeal and courage. You are strong and I am proud of you. We will keep you in our prayers. :) Hang in there.
What a great idea to plan a scavenger hunt! I am sure they loved it. Way to go supermom :-) My morning wish for you is that today is an easier day - less pain, more answers and one step closer to getting you out of the hospital, home with your family and back out on the tennis courts!
I hope you enjoyed your time with your kids. My kids remember you in their prayers each night (so do I, for that matter).
Heey, I'm from Brazil and I loved your history, we go through many things in life, but when we have faith and hope that they will pass, even if it takes, they really are. I know that you are strong, keep it up! kisses
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