No, we didn't go to church. The nurses (3 of them) came in at 4:30 this morning to do their routine and with bright lights and lots of conversation, T was wide awake. It was time for a bit of worship, so we opened the computer and played the Talley Trio. It was a lovely moment. After a short snooze, we got up and started walking. I walk beside T, holding up his arm that is in a cast. He can't wear a sling because of the drain in the side of his face/neck. Walking this obstacle course is quite a challenge, but T likes to tease me as well. I try to match his steps; if he starts on the right foot, I do too. Every once in a while he will shuffle his feet to get me off rhythm. Sometimes he'll start taking mincing little steps or big long strides. It makes him laugh to see me try to keep up. What a guy! Somehow we got three pod laps and five hallway laps done early this morning.
Right now the nurse is here again to give him the daily shot in his belly. Nice, right? That's to help prevent blood clots. It's a process that I don't enjoy watching. Shudder. Another thing that is funny to experience is the different doctors countermanding each others' orders. The head and neck people cancel things, and the plastic people put them back. Right now we're rooting for the head and neck people. They give us the best time table for getting out of here! Plus once we're out of the hospital, no more belly shots!
I will have some errands to run today while T naps. I haven't been out of the hospital since Friday, and I know T would love to go. He pretends he's going to escape each time we walk. There are so many places we would rather be right now. We're thinking of our kids in France as they worship today, praying the Lord will bless their ministry. Also, our lovely Kassie heads off to KC today for sister duty. Jenny gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Sept. 5th then found herself in ICU, fighting for her life. We are all so thankful for God's healing power in her and for the love her big sister has, to fly back there and stay for a week of home care. Scott will be Mr. Mom all week, something he does quite well actually.
We hope you can find a place to worship today. As we have studied the intricacy of the skull this week, we have wondered how people are able to believe that we all started as pond scum. My goodness, there is just no way. The only answer is the presence of that Holy Creator, and we worship Him today.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
New Room
Terry was moved out of advanced recovery into a room on the 11th floor that specializes in care for Head and Neck cancer patients. We got up here about 3:30 or so, a bit later than expected. On the wall is a white board that the staff uses to communicate to patients, and I thought it would be a good thing if we communicated back. First I put up my cell phone number. Just doing that lets them know that I expect to be called if anything happens while I am out, which isn't often. Then I thought I would list the things he does such as how many laps walking around the pod or the long hallway and how long he sits in a chair. Basically, anything that he does, they want to document. The nurse came in and told us that he is way ahead of normal patients. They have no idea how much he wants to be out of here!
We still have the friendly pole to drag around but little by little, things are being removed. He now takes pain meds by mouth rather than drip and they have eliminated some other items. All I know is that he's gone from six to eight bags on the pole down to two. Nice work in a short amount of time. We know that part of this is due to his own determination, but a big part is due to the strength he receives from the Lord and the community of believers who have his back. Thank you all!
We still have the friendly pole to drag around but little by little, things are being removed. He now takes pain meds by mouth rather than drip and they have eliminated some other items. All I know is that he's gone from six to eight bags on the pole down to two. Nice work in a short amount of time. We know that part of this is due to his own determination, but a big part is due to the strength he receives from the Lord and the community of believers who have his back. Thank you all!
Irritants along the way
There are two things that rather irritate T during the recovery process. The first is the IV pole. We have to admit, the pole is a great invention. Imagine having to deal with all these bags and recording instruments in some other way. Having one needle stick and a multi-receiver for all the tubes is great too. But T has a few goals on his white board, and number four is to walk. He started walking yesterday morning. Getting ready for the walk is quite a process involving a Colton Cape, our personal creation which takes a hospital gown, puts it around the back, and ties it at the neck. This creates modesty for the backside, something hospital gowns are notoriously lacking. Next are the slippy socks which keep T from winding up on the floor. Finally we unplug the master electrical cord attached to the IV pole on wheels, wind all the tubes up into T's hand, and set out for the walk. We are in Pod B so have the nursing station in the center with about 15 rooms encircling it. There are tables, blanket shelving, extra chairs, the occasional janitorial cart, and a variety of other items scattered around the station half-walls. This is the obstacle course that T travels several times a day. It's one thing to walk with the pole and quite another to take it to the loo, as you might imagine.
The second irritation is the cast. T has a hard cast on his left arm from his elbow to his fingers. This was on him when he came out of the operating room. I guess it protects the area from which the flap was taken. It needs to be above T's heart to avoid the tingling feeling. I'm not sure T has ever had a cast before; if he did it was before he was sixteen since he's been a part of my life since then. Always sympathetic of students in casts prior to this experience, T is going to be downright indulgent now. He really does not like that thing!
But it is like he said, these things are a nuisance. And that's okay - God is all over this and us. We are aware of His protection through this process and are thankful for those who stand in the gap to pray us through. Bless you all!
The second irritation is the cast. T has a hard cast on his left arm from his elbow to his fingers. This was on him when he came out of the operating room. I guess it protects the area from which the flap was taken. It needs to be above T's heart to avoid the tingling feeling. I'm not sure T has ever had a cast before; if he did it was before he was sixteen since he's been a part of my life since then. Always sympathetic of students in casts prior to this experience, T is going to be downright indulgent now. He really does not like that thing!
But it is like he said, these things are a nuisance. And that's okay - God is all over this and us. We are aware of His protection through this process and are thankful for those who stand in the gap to pray us through. Bless you all!
Friday, September 16, 2011
A Crooked Little Smile
It looks like T may be left with a slightly altered smile. When the nerve was clipped to be tested by pathology, it caused numbness to the upper right of his face. The good news is this includes his teeth on the upper right jaw so as long as he contains any cavities to that part of his mouth, he'll never need a shot at the dentist. Nice, right? In addition to clipping the nerve, there was quite a bit of cutting on this side of his face, which may have resulted in some weakness. Once the drains are removed and as he heals, some strength may return, or it may not. I think we'll all become accustomed to a new smile, knowing that renewed life comes with it. Another possible casualty has to do with his left thumb. He noticed some numbness there post surgery so I asked the plastic surgeon's PA about it when he stopped by this afternoon. Evidently taking the flap from that part of the forearm sometimes results in some numbness. T used to refer to himself as numbskull after his first surgery. Now we'll have to come up with something new! So far everyone who has come by has been very pleased with T's progress. He is a strong man, and we are thanking the Lord for him today.
The day after
What a night! No problems but it was funny how everyone who came in this morning asked how we slept. I mean... really? We had the nurse in every hour, turned on a light, and took this little machine thingy - like a doplar or something, and listened for the blood flow in T's flap. We'd just get settled and there she was again. Sweet lady, East Indian I believe. Very kind and gentle. This morning's nurse, I believe from the Philippines... we call her Ms. Srgt. Major! Nice lady but definitely has her adgenda and goes for it!
So today, T will manage his pain (check), sit in a chair (check, been there for a couple hours), walk (check) made several laps around the pod, and eat a liquid diet (this morning), and he just enjoyed an omelette and some fruit. Scott has been wonderful, best negotiator with Ms. Srgt. Major that one could ever find. He took this morning's duty and allowed me to get back to the hotel for a short rest and a shower.
So I am headed back to the hospital now. God is giving strength and direction for all of us and we are grateful!
So today, T will manage his pain (check), sit in a chair (check, been there for a couple hours), walk (check) made several laps around the pod, and eat a liquid diet (this morning), and he just enjoyed an omelette and some fruit. Scott has been wonderful, best negotiator with Ms. Srgt. Major that one could ever find. He took this morning's duty and allowed me to get back to the hotel for a short rest and a shower.
So I am headed back to the hospital now. God is giving strength and direction for all of us and we are grateful!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Out of surgery
T is out of surgery, coming awake and we should be able to see him in about an hour. He will have some hospital stay but not ICU. The doctors are all VERY happy with what they have seen and done. Thanking God for his grace!
Mid-day report
It looks like we have the big plastic surgery going on. I am not positive, but I know that they took a flap from T's forearm (left) and are using it to mend the wound created by the surgery. The fellow is closing the arm wound while the plastic surgeon is using the microscope to attach blood vessels. This results in a hospital stay of some length. I think I am dealing with this much better since I know there is no evidence of cancer in that nerve. The sacrifice will involve some time but not with dread about what is to follow.
All around us are people who are hearing less than happy news. One could ask the question, why does one family get good news while another leaves the room sobbing? We try to share hope through our discussions as so many listen in to what is said. Earlier today, we met a family of ladies, waiting on dad/husband who is having surgery, and had a praise session over God's goodness in the midst of these types of situations. Then my friend, Carmen, came and had lunch with us, and stayed for the initial afternoon report. A short time ago, we chatted with an older lady who is a first grade teacher. I guess she has some real rowdies this year, while I was able to know that my sub would have a wonderful time with my students. That brings joy.
Just moments ago, our dear Dr. Esmaeli came to visit with us. She believes that we have received the best results possible, even with the forearm flap that had to be done. We will still need to wait on an ultimate pathology report for that entire section to determine whether he needs radiation or not, but they do know that the immediate area was clean. The best news is that in spite of the need to take a bit of the infra-orbital nerve for testing, T's smile will be intact. He was concerned about that (because of the grandkids) and I guess I was too.
The road ahead is not without difficulty. There will be a recovery time for this flap; it needs to have good blood flow. He needs to be up, walking and eating before they consider releasing him from the hospital. However, knowing him as I do, he'll push himself so he can go home and get back to his family and students. Throughout the day, I have been aware of the prayer power surrounding us. Your love, faithfulness, and support are so encouraging. Thank you for being the family of God for us in this time. We feel so blessed!
All around us are people who are hearing less than happy news. One could ask the question, why does one family get good news while another leaves the room sobbing? We try to share hope through our discussions as so many listen in to what is said. Earlier today, we met a family of ladies, waiting on dad/husband who is having surgery, and had a praise session over God's goodness in the midst of these types of situations. Then my friend, Carmen, came and had lunch with us, and stayed for the initial afternoon report. A short time ago, we chatted with an older lady who is a first grade teacher. I guess she has some real rowdies this year, while I was able to know that my sub would have a wonderful time with my students. That brings joy.
Just moments ago, our dear Dr. Esmaeli came to visit with us. She believes that we have received the best results possible, even with the forearm flap that had to be done. We will still need to wait on an ultimate pathology report for that entire section to determine whether he needs radiation or not, but they do know that the immediate area was clean. The best news is that in spite of the need to take a bit of the infra-orbital nerve for testing, T's smile will be intact. He was concerned about that (because of the grandkids) and I guess I was too.
The road ahead is not without difficulty. There will be a recovery time for this flap; it needs to have good blood flow. He needs to be up, walking and eating before they consider releasing him from the hospital. However, knowing him as I do, he'll push himself so he can go home and get back to his family and students. Throughout the day, I have been aware of the prayer power surrounding us. Your love, faithfulness, and support are so encouraging. Thank you for being the family of God for us in this time. We feel so blessed!
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