A difficult time for my body...but this too shall pass

I've had such a trouble past couple of day filling new drug scripts, due to holidaty and script amounts not accuarately avaiable. And ssome stores just dont carry hard drugs like oxcycottin'/oxcoycone. Finnally after a couple of days since my dr. visit for new scrips on wednesday and going to many stores Barry and I was able to get the drugw. By that time this p.m I was completely out of all pain killers, and really in need of some. Barry's been so patient and helpful with m, especially feeling crappy himself. Got home and the took pill rightaway. AM sure that if I was a teenager I could get the drugs on a street corner. The went right to bed.



Looking forward to Dancing with Stars show. Tim went deer hunting today, haven't heard of any results yet. It poured most of the day here, luckily not so much bad weather there.

Looking for day that pain leaves my body and the muscles relax.

It takes time to heal..

Yes, it was a long day in the city for appts. First appt. was with plastic surgeon at 9 a.m., area is healing very nicely. Just need to cover it twice daily with a saline coverered gauze. Follow up appt. in 6 weeks.

Then off to have chest x-ray. That was the first delay. A long delay and it was made worse by having to sit in uncomfortable chairs. Thank goodness my brain was working in overtime. Since my surgeon's appt. was one floor up in building, I took off and signed in ahead of the scheduled appt. time. Then eventually went back to wait for x-ray. Took a matter of minutes for that test.

Then up to wait for the main surgeon. I think our appt. was at 11 a.m. and we didn't see him until 2 hrs. later. Not sure. He has increased my pain meds, still no baths for me. And am still limited to what I can do with my arms/chest area. Basically restricions remain the same. They will be contacting me for follow up appt. in about 5 weeks.

The surgeon made a comment that hit home to me:

Just look at what you've been through these past few weeks. You've accomplished things that you thought could never be accomplished. From a simple cough to taking a deep breath. From laying in a bed to sitting upright in chair. By looking in the past you can see how much strength you have for the future.


I was a very unusual case for him, but one he had complete faith in the outcome.

I'M BACK AND JANE IS BACK FROM APPTS!!

Just a quick note on Jane-I just talked to her-all the appts went PERFECT including the CXR. An exhausting day for both she and Barry-both with pain today. The pain meds increased on Jane.Enough for now and Have a Great Thanksgiving!!!

Follow-up appts. in Pittsburgh tomorrow a.m.

I meet with plastic surgeon at 9 a.m., followed by chest x-ray 10:40 a.m. The the meeting with main surgeon is in same bluilding at 1l:00 a.m. sure hope they are running close to schedule because I don't think I coul sit in waiting room chair for more than 30 mins. Looking forward to seein both drs. for their feedback, especially to tell them that the pain is still there.

Off to bed now. For me, it will be a very early wake up call in a.m.

PS Tim did go bear hunting Monday, only saw tracks in snow. Back to camp area this coming weekend for deer hunting. The boys did see lots of deer there.

One week later and still about same

Have heard from people that they are concerned cause I haven't blogged. My typing is so bad right now. Head/brain-keyboard doesn't want to be the same. HAve been having same pain/discomfort. I do go back to Pitts. on Wed to see plastic surgeon and primary surgeon. The front chest area is healing so nicely. Under arm where they took skin from is very tender. just keep reminding myself that I've ben through a lot.

And even though I haven't felt my true self lately, my door is usually open. Sleeping in one thing I'm good at doing, less pain that way.

No infection

Went to Pittsburgh yesterday a.m. and met with plastic surgeon. Local home care nurse, and my primary doctor, wanted it to be checked out. And of course, I certainly did. No infection, healing perfectly. The doctor said "a masterpiece."

Continue to be in lots of pain. Out of score of 10, it's an 8 or 9. Can't ever seem to get rid of it. Spoke to primary doctor this afternoon, is doubling my oxycodone effective tonight. Also had me take a percocet, which I did. Then went to bed and tried to lie motionless. No results yet. Very, very uncomfortable, but then just look at the pictures. To cough is like dying. Most pain in shoulder/back area and under my left arm where they took the skin for my chest. Just have to be patient, but very hard to.

Barry's not been feeling well either. Never complains. Has shoulder/side pain.
But he's been keeping up with the housework. Taking pride in it I believe. Awfully good to me these past few days, waiting on me hand and foot.

Off to rest. Bye

Congatulations Tim!

I wasn't able to attend the induction ceremony last night, but Barry did. Tim was inducted into the National Honor Society. I can not miss this opportunity to praise Tim on this accomplishment. I put myself into my job, and he must do the same thing with his school work.

Again, Congratulations!

The large "pasted" area is the flap taken from under my left arm area.

 

 

More pictures of my bionic chest. Looks like a tattoed necklace.

 

 

Family is priceless. Maureen truly did a great job updating our family and frineds, and for using her cold hands on my hot forehead. Felt so good.

 

 

 

 

Back to Pittsburgh plastic surgeon tomorrow a.m

went to primary dr. today as followup to what nurse saw yesterday. am on antibiotic but have been told my plastic surgeon to go there in a.m. they already made appt. for me before they called me. also increased my meds to be extended release, more strength. pain has always been a 9 and they recognoize i need releif.

off to couch now.

Back to Pittsburgh plastic surgeon tomorrow a.m

I'ts ME again.......Back online after a long delay

Yes, it's truly me online now. My typing actually has improved since yesterday. Just a quick hello and then back to the couch.

Met a nurse one night as she was interested in one of my monitoring machines. Asked my what procedure I had had, told her and she had a comment that I would have made.

Since your skin from under your arm area is now in your chest, do you have to use deordorant now on your chest!? Funny lady..

UP THREE FLIGHT OF STAIRS WITHOUT INCIDENT!!

Yes I still have the blogging job as Jane said her fingers typing and her brain are all messed up. Just talked to her and she is still with some shortness of breath and breathing treatments tolerated well. In conversation, wanted me to pass on to her work buddies whom I asked not to send flowers and to get her a nice pink jogging outfit for her trip home. Well she loved the whole big bag of nice soft pink old navy clothes-when she was getting dressed with Patty and Jody helping her she realized she had old lady blue underwear and the pink pants were hip huggers but who would really care about the underwear showing!! After what she has been through a laugh is good. She also liked the cancer sucks shirt from another friend. Prior flowers appreciated from prior work buddies Hermitage Bank and the President of the Westminster College. Pa had told Tim to get her some flowers from him and ma-did the run to the store and got some nice bunches of flowers-THANKS!! She was able to sleep half the night on the couch and then back up the stairs to her bed for rest of sleep-has a hard time getting out of bed as she can't use her chest or arm muscles.
Earlier in the evening had taken a short shower and washed and curled her hair-only kidding about the curling!! Barry worked out in the yard today. Tim survived the play the other night.When she checked emails today on third floor had 200 in the system-will take some time to read. Well I was back to work and all my buddies did not believe how good Jane looks-I had taken pics myself and can't put on blog-she wants to post same but has to download. Well at least this sat night Tim and I are not lost in Pittsburg with a gps system. I still laugh when I asked Tim to call one of this friends to help us find our way home, and he turned to me and said "maureen my friends are 16 years old and some don't have cars" duh!! What a difference a week makes. adios moe

LOVING THE COUCH!!

No it is not JANE,it is moe again. I had told her last night i would wait for her to call me today, but i couldn't wait any longer so i called her. She is too tired to do the blog today. I did mention to her that at this time there were 17 comments and she said "WOW". Thanks to Patty and Jody she had a successful ride home from the hospital. Barry rested at home. Tim did the pharmacy run. She basically slept on the couch until around 3:30 am and then up for pain med and back to the couch. Today was filled with a nursing visit, respiratory treatment-reinstruction with use of machine,measuring incision-cleaning incision etc. Barry said lots of napping. Tonight she will venture up the stairs as she wants to shower and wash her long hair!Also spent some time booking follow up md appts. She will be surprised when she notices I put away all the hats,wigs,scarfs,etc,into her closet-i did leave a note that nothing was thrown out. She is still off and on short of breath but I think she
is doing great. Well I am back to my nursing job tomorrow in which my philosphy is put a smile on my face cause i am not in the bed!!!!

WELCOME HOME JANE!!!

I just talked to Jane quickly and she just got home. Having spasm pain as the pain med is past due. Rest up Jane and glad u are home safely. Love u lots, your guardian angel sister moe

I LEFT ON A JET PLANE 12;45 AND HOME IN HOLLISTON 4;30PM!

Let's see how good I can post from far away. Well Barry and I left for the airport with snow flurries part of the way. Jane had told Barry not me prior to leaving that she had an awful night with the need for cxr,iv pain meds, for excruciating back pain at site of last drainage tube-very little sleep. I don't think she wanted me know this but I did ask her tonight about it. She was able to have a decent day and able to sit in the recliner from pre-breakfast to suppertime. Not sure if discharge to be tomorrow. Patty her friend is lining up ride home whenever with a van. At this stage she is not to use any arm,chest muscles so things can heal. Still says a little wheezey and gets breathing treatments. Her cell phone is dead. Barry felt lousy today so opted it was better to stay home and rest-he has slept very little since friday and aches a lot. Well off to relax as I am beat. My dog Duncan who has cancer himself jumped up so high when he saw me and must husband did a little jump.
adios moe

LAST DRAIN OUT SO I CAN GO HOME SOON!!

Just talked to Jane and she had a better night.Last jackson pratt drain removed.The lower gi tract will be running soon since she got laxatives last night. Barry will be bringing me to the airport-leaving around 10am and will get into Providence around 3;30pm. Barry has the sweats,aches, and pains from the neulasta so Jane told him to stay home today and rest.Have a good day and I do see some snowflakes today.

MORE POSITIVE STEPS UP THE ROAD TO RECOVERY TODAY!!

Jane called us this am and said the usual night time interuptions were present-vs,etc so not much sleep. Her peripheral iv line had croked so the portacath was able to be accessed.Oxygen no longer needed. One jackson pratt drain removed-the one that was to wall suction. The arterial line to her heart removed.Still on iv anitibiotics,regular diet tolerated,no more iv toridol just the oral pain meds. Barry and I scooted in for 2 1/2 hour visit and she made mention that one group of md's said she might go home tomorrow.While we were with her she had a physical therapy session and respiratory therapy-John came by and took her for walk in hall and her room air oxygen levels were ok. Physical therapy will do stairs with her later.Had asked her girlfriend Carol who works at college and lives down the street to print my boarding pass for tomorrow-I never talked to her just left message and did not give her my name but she knew I had been in college store yesterday buying something and got my name from them off payment kind-you could be a private investigator. Thanks Carol for dropping off the boarding pass and goodies for Jane.And YES pictures have been taken of the new WONDER WOMAN SCAR!! she insisted we take some-will post asap. The pictures look better than that alien that was there with the fur on top of it! Mary the ICU nurse picked up gifts last night and Patty also. Well I am off the computer for now and I feel Jane will agree that my mission was accomplished to get her through this emotional roller coaster as a sister to the best of my ability. P.s. Jane not going home tomorrow-? thursday and Dr Christie came by and ordered some celebrex med to help in her pain. Will try and post on her blog when I get home. Adios Pennsylvania!! and hello Massachusetts

" LOUSEY NIGHT AND DAY IN POST OP LAND FOR JANE"

Not a nice night for Jane at all. Said she was awoken constantly for vs check and the arterial line check-no sleep. She had called us around 11;30 to tell us the same. This am I went to get some goodies for each of the 3 ICU shifts-candy,pastries etc. and a special gift for Patty-Jane signed the cards herself. Barry opted to stay home as he had gotten his neulasta shot this am and he is tired and achey today. After Jane talked to her sister Eileen last noc, Eileen had emergency surgery to remove the hernia mesh they had placed month or so ago for the hernia repair. Dad said today she was ok. She is like Jane and never complains. Carol called today to ask about meal set up-will call her later and set up same for when Jane comes home. Jane had couple physical therapy sessions today, foley out and she took a --- on the commode,iv fluids off-just on short antibiotics,pain block line removed-she said it was about 4-5 inches long needle. This am I also visited the people she works with at the college and told them no flowers but did make a surprize suggestion which they will do!!When I saw Jane she seemed short of breath and she said she had been making some noises when she breathed-after listening to her I said u have audible wheezes-make sure u do the blow bottle routine. Shortly after my arrival I was able to meet the main surgeon-Dr Christie-he told her that the tumor was started to do much wrapping and one or two weeks things would have been BAD. Timing was perfect huh? He told her this am CXR shows lower right lung activity-the repair work involved a nerve down by that lower lung area-will monitor closely-right away Respiratory treatments started for the wheezing and by the time I got home she just called and said she is oxygen all the time now-had need last noc but now her numbers have dropped. Also on the plan is a chest cat scan. I asked the Md. if spot was like an effusion and he said yes.Barry said when Jane and he met with the Md mention of this nerve involvement could happen-might take a while to resolve. She knows I plan to go home Wed. and tomorrows CXR,cat scan whenever will determine course of action. People caring for Jane a special thank u-Linda,Troy,DAna,John,Sheila,Alyson,Florestine I feel naked Jane without your cell phone-don't let the hospital know u have it. Tim at play practice and Barry cooked me a shrimp alfredo noodle meal and also bought some ice cream for later. What more could I ask for. Off to call Mary from the ICU to head up to see Jane and get the bags I put together. Adios Wants me to bring the camera tomorrow!!