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May 1, 2006
Hurry up and wait
It's slow healing time now. Sorry for the delay in posting an update, but there hasn't been too much to report. Courtney is still very tired, and doesn't talk much. It is very tiring for her to talk. She's able to make it between pain medicine doses without too much discomfort and on a few occasions has stretched the time. Obviously, she's going to feel a lot more energetic when she's not on so much medication, but we want to make sure that the pain doesn't get out of control. She has her days and night a little confused. In the late afternoon she is a lot more alert, and I was able to watch a couple TV shows last night with her. It was nice to be doing something normal again. However, that alertness was also the cause of a restless and poor night's sleep. Hopefully, as she continues to heal, she'll be able to talk and walk around more during the day so that her schedule re-aligns with the rest of the world.
She's doing pretty well consuming her 4 Ensure shakes per day, and I'm starting to add in some other vitamin/nutrient/protein drinks into her diet as she is able. Friends and family have been great about sending us liquid-diet powders that should really help with her healing and energy levels. The primary concern in her diet right now is calories. I need to get the maximum amount of calories in her system with the least amount of fluid. Given that her energy level and desire to eat is limited.
Two days ago, we did have one minor issue that was a reminder of how weak she is and her need to take the recovery slowly. After a morning bath, I was taking her downstairs in preparation to see her first visitors for just a couple minutes when she said that she needed to sit down. So, we sat down on the top stair. After a few minutes she said that she didn't feel that great and wouldn't be able to make it downstairs. I told her I'd cancel the visitors and that she should get back in bed. Halfway down the hall, she fainted. Thankfully, I was fully prepared and we both gently sat down. I eventually got her in bed where she slept for a couple hours. That was scary for her because she equated the fainting feeling with not getting enough air, and made me take off the trach dressing immediately after sitting down. It's remotely possible that I put the dressing on too tight and restricted blood flow in her neck, but I'm guessing that the real cause was heat from the bath and over exertion. At least that's the story I'm sticking to. ;-)
The trach hole continues to heal ... slowly ... It's now the size of a pencil (down from a dime), so we're getting closer. I had hoped that this would heal faster, but it's really difficult to completely restrict airflow with bandages. Also, Courtney has been couging a lot so some air escapes even when she's pressing on the dressing while coughing.
Courtney is glad to be home, and the kids are doing great. They love having mommy home, and are being very patient. I've been able to play with them as well, so their life is slowly getting back to normal as well. The biggest issue with the kids is noise. One of the side-effects of the pain narcotics that Courtney is taking is sensitivity to noise. Our kids have never been good at "inside voices," so we have to limit their time with Courtney to times when they are mellow-tired (as opposed to cranky-tired) or watching television.
I do have a mild concern with regard to Courtney's right eye-socket. The eye level is almost perfect. I think the depth of the eye is also great. These conclusions are supported by her ability to see without double vision. However, her right eyelid still only opens about 50% - 60%. I would guess that the swelling is down about 80-90%, and it's difficult to quantify how much swelling it takes to obstruct eyelid functionality, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little concerned. On this point, I am taking great confidence in Dr. Park and his staff who haven't mentioned anything as signifigant as a partially obstructed eyelid. I know that Courtney is likely worried about this as well, even though I've tried to reassure her that swelling is the likely culprit.
I'm partially back at work this week, and that feels really weird. Slowly but surely we're all moving back into our normal routines; at least what constitues the new normal.
Posted by mark at May 1, 2006 9:06 AM Subscribe (FeedBurner)
Comments
Judi Hiller asked me for information to order "The HymnMakers Series" of CD's. Log on to www.equippingthechurch.co.uk. Click on Praise & Worship. Click on "The HymnMakers Series" to place your order by credit card. My prayers are with you and your family. May God heal Courtney. In Christ, Deborah
Posted by: Deborah Kirland at May 18, 2006 8:11 AM