Heather is healing!

June 27th  - Heather and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who sent messages and offered prayers during her hospital stay and recovery from surgery.  Your kind words, thoughts, and support truly lifted her spirits and brought comfort during a challenging time.  Heather feels incredibly grateful and blessed to have such thoughtful, caring people in her life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Heather came home on June 22nd.  The first few days were pretty rough.  Lots of pain and discomfort.  It broke my heart to hear her crying.  She was such a trooper and followed the surgeons instructions to move, walk, and listen to your body.  On the 26th, we spoke with the surgeons office about some of her symptoms and they decided to see her.  He said she was doing well and to expect some tough days, but reassured her that each day would get a bit better.  The bonus was they took her staples out a few days earlier than planned - YAY.  That helped a lot.

She is still having an issue with food, so we are adjusting her diet.  The last two days she has set up "camp" in the living room so she and the dogs can watch TV and look out over the lake.  The dogs haven't left her side.  

We also celebrated Dad's 92nd birthday with a small gathering of family and friends.  Heather wasn't able to join us, but she loved seeing the pictures.  

xo

Lisa

Heather comes home Sunday !!!!!

 

I can just feel the love by looking at this sweet picture of us with Timmy, Joe's younger brother.  Timmy lives in Connecticut and is unable to travel anymore, but whenever he stayed with us, the joy and the love just filled the air.  Timmy and Heather adore each other.  When he visited, we laughed, sang, danced, had cooking parties, took boat rides, but most of all, we had quality time with Timmy.  Timmy loves his family and friends.  

I chose this picture because it makes me smile and I know that Heather will be home tomorrow and smiley days like this are guaranteed.  I can't wait to spoil her with her favorite meals and watch her rest in the sun with the dogs. 

Heather has started eating a few foods and tolerating them well.  They stopped the IV nutrition today which is fantastic.  The fact that these blog posts are getting smaller and less frequent are a great sign that things are moving forward. Thank you again for following along.  

Enjoy this dance video with Heather, Timmy, and our friend Nicole (Timmy called her his #1 girl)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_5E-iIRtnU

xo

Lisa

June 20th - still in the hospital and may go home in a day or two

It has been a long few days for Heather.  She continues to heal, but still has significant pain.  In addition, her poor veins keep blowing.  They can no longer use her left arm, and her right arm looks like a pin cushion.  OUCH OUCH OUCH.  Fortunately, they call in a specialist to insert her IVs using doppler scanning to make sure they find/hit the best vein.  Yesterday, they had to reinsert within 4 hours after placing a new IV.

For the first time in 12 days, she had a popsicle. Grape to be specific, that is considered clear liquids.  Who knew?   She had choices between cardboard Jello, broths, juices, sodas (she avoided yesterday due to carbonation), and popsicles.  For a few minutes, she had some relief.

We are hopeful that today she can try soft foods!!!!  

Yesterday, there was a fast-moving thunder and lightning storm that moved through the DC area.  Sadly. her hospital lost power for 3 hours. Yes, you read that correctly.  THREE WHOLE HOURS.  From what I heard over the phone when the surgical team was visiting, critical areas had backup generators (ICU, NICU, Surgical).  They did halt all surgeries though for a bit.  The good news is they were still able to administer medications to the patients.  The rooms and hallways were pretty dark, since the blackout was from 5:20pm - 8:30.  I can only how difficult it was for the staff and patients.  Heather's main issue was dealing with the heat, but so thankful she was not hooked up to critical monitoring machines.  Kevin arrived shortly after the power outage, and he said it was very widespread outside the hospital. 

The goal is to get her home soon.  My best guess is a few more days (making it a 2-week stay).   They may need to do more imaging, but I am praying and hoping that she continues to tolerate the food and things progress as expected.

Heather, I can't even imagine the pain you have been dealing with.  You have been so very strong, during such a difficult and long recovery.  I know seeing your sweet Pearl will be the medicine ever.  Thank you, Kevin for taking the night shift.  It has allowed me to rest and be with Dad and Joe.

I love you, Heather.  You have a village of people that have been praying for you and reaching out to me.

xo

Lisa

Photo is 2018 at Ducky Irene, Heather always thought this would make a good band album cover, hahahaha.  Just another reminder of great things to look forward too - going to the beach house and relaxing.

 

Great Progress - YAY

Monday was tough for Heather during the day.  Her arm with the IV and Midline started swelling.  It took a while to get a doppler to examine both arms.  She had clots that were superficial, so they need to remove both IVs and eventually insert two more.  Sadly, during this two-hour period, they were unable to give her pain meds.  They quickly got the new IVs working and relief was on its way.

In the morning they clamped her NG tube for 4-hours.  She had a difficult time with pain, but the good news was when it was unclamped, there wasn't a large amount of fluid removed.  The surgical team visited her and they said it could maybe be removed later Monday evening.

Now for the GREAT news.  They removed the NG tube around 6pm.  This is fantastic.  She can have a small sip of water and a few ice chips every hour or two.  She is tolerating the removal, so the hope is to start small amounts of clear liquids later today.  She will continue to get nutrition through her IV for another day.  This mama bear is very very very very very happy.  Heather is thrilled to have this torture device removed from her throat.  Goodbye icky chloraseptic spray.  It provided superficial relief, but now she gets the real deal - ICE CHIPS.  

I am hopeful she will be released in a few days so the real healing can jump in leaps and bounds.  

I love you, Heather.  You have been so strong during this journey.  It will be nice to see those pretty dimples again and hear your laughter. 

xo

Lisa

Heather is healing

Sunday

Sunday was not a fun day for Heather.  Of course, no day in the hospital is ever fun.  Her pain seemed to get a bit worse, which was expected a few days after surgery.  She did 10 laps today which was incredible.  The surgeon is pleased with her progress.  They started her on IV with nutrients.  She has had nothing to eat/drink for 8 days, so this will help increase her energy level.  Hoping to have NG tube out in a day or two!!!!!!  

Happy Father's Day to Dad and Joe.   We have lots of celebrating to catch up on when Heather comes home (Kevin and Heather's birthday, Dad's birthday and Father's Day).

Hug your loved ones.

Monday

Just arrived at hospital and Heather is sleeping - YAY.   Earlier in the morning I listened in when Doctors stopped by.  They decided to clamp her NG Tube and see how she tolerates it.  It will be clamped for 4 hours, then hooked back up to see how much fluid accumulated.  If things go well, the tube comes out - DOUBLE YAY!!!!!!!!!   I will provide an update later.   

Keep those prayers coming.  Heather appreciates all the love. 

xo

Lisa

Surgery is over, and it was more than anticipated

 I want to thank the Surgeon and medical team for taking care of my sweet Heather.  In a perfect world, surgery would have been under an hour, go in, peak around, make a quick fix, and close up the tiny incisions.  

Heather's surgery took 3 1/2 hours (very long hours) The surgeon went in laparoscopically, but after examining her small bowels, he discovered extensive scarring (adhesions) throughout. To quote him, "I removed lots of scar tissue, but there was no clear area that I could see where the obstruction was.  I wish I could have found a specific area for concern, but there was scar tissue everywhere."  Given the amount of scarring, it has been building for a very long time, (back to infancy) they had to make an additional 8-inch incision to assist with the repair.  

Fortunately, they didn't have to resection or cut out any intestine - that was amazing.  Sadly, he said the entire small bowels were covered in adhesions and there were lots of places where they were just stuck to other areas of small bowel and in numerous places attached to her large intestines. I am so thankful for the decision to do the exploratory surgery.  The earlier scans didn't show what he saw when he went in.   

She will remain in the hospital for at least a week.  The NG tube must stay in place for another 3-4 days.  This means that Heather will not have any relief to her throat and desperate need for a sip of water.  The NG tube is extremely uncomfortable.  Heather's hope was to be free from the NG Tube immediately after surgery.

I finally saw Heather at midnight, and she was very confused and sleepy from the anesthesia.  The goal right now is to manage her pain, let her intestines recover from the surgery, remove the NG tube and slowly introduce fluids, then foods.

Please continue to pray for Heather.  Pray for pain relief, rest, staying free from infections, and most of all, let the healing begin.

Thank you, Joe, for taking such good care of Dad while I have been at the hospital.  Thank you to family and friends that checked in on us (especially during surgery).  Heather and I are blessed to have such a supportive village.

I love you, Heather.  As hard as it was for me to wait for results and see you in so much pain, I can't imagine how difficult this has been for you.  I will remain by your side and do the best that I can do to keep you focused and comfortable.  I know how anxious you are to have that damn NG tube removed, but it is critical to your healing now.   Where is that damn magic wand where I can fast forward and bring you home.  Wow, I said "damn" twice - guess it is time to stop writing for now.  This ol' girl is tired.

xo

Lisa

Picture shown was 2007 in Cabo 

Also, Happy Birthday Kevin.  We will celebrate both of your birthdays when Heather comes home.

June 13 - A path forward ........Surgery today

Heather was admitted to the hospital on the 7th, for an intestinal obstruction and on the 11th things started looking up.  Thursday at 6am, they pushed the contrast solution through her NG tube, then clamped the tube to allow the contrast to work its way through the intestines.  The goal is for the tube to stay clamped for 6 hours, then they do imaging.   Sadly, 2 1/2 hours into the test, she started vomiting, so the suction was hooked back up.  The doctors hinted at surgery, but they needed to do more imaging and see how she progressed through day/night.

Thursday afternoon things improved a bit for Heather and I was hopeful surgery could be avoided.  However, today, the surgeon just informed Heather that they need to do exploratory surgery.  Although there have been improvements, she still shouldn't be so nauseous and in pain, and the output from her tube is higher than it should be given no ice chips for the last two days.  

My tough Heather is ready to let the healing begin and I know she will handle this surgery like the champ that she is.  I love you, Heather.  

Thank you to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers.  

This adorable picture was taken in 2015 on one of Heather and Kevin's first dates.   These two deserve a trip to the beach house to capture more memories. 

Also, yesterday would have been my parents 71st wedding anniversary.  Hard to believe my Mom has been gone for 9 years, but Dad, Joe and I will raise a glass of champagne in honor of their 61 years of marriage.  We miss you, Mom. Oh, and thank you Mom, for watching over us.

xo

Lisa