Some good news: Kathleen is out of the ICU and we are in a private room. University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics - Unit 3JPW, room 3785. It is way more quiet here and she is not hooked up to nearly as many things so hopefully she will be able to rest.
Some not so good news: Kathleen is experiencing nausea every time she tries to drink even the smallest amount of water (haven't progressed to eating yet). So they continue to give her fluids and other medication through her IV. The doctors say this is a common symptom of head surgery, but Kathleen also has a history of reacting this way to anesthesia. They are giving her anti-nausea medicine, so hopefully we will have better progress to report later today. As a result of all this, she is feeling "pretty crappy". Because she can't keep any oral pain medicine down, they gave her a shot and this should help her rest comfortably. We are hoping her nausea calms down because our stay will get prolonged if she can't get up and walk around, and she can't get up until she is off the IV. So keep your fingers crossed that the next cycle of medicine does what it should.
The doctors, nurses, and other staff have been wonderful. I understand Dr. Gantz will stop by later this afternoon, so I will post an update once we hear from him.
---Mark
Kathleen, So sorry to hear that your recovery is being delayed by nausea. I too have always had a reaction to anesthesia... most recently with wisdom teeth surgery... not fun to throw up when you have big holes in your mouth ... yum, yum... but even worse when you have a throbbing, tentative head, which I imagine is your case. If you want to think about something else, I'll also let you know that the last time I had a shot in the butt, it caused part of my left cheek to atrophy, leaving a crater that could be seen through golf shorts... altho why anyone should be looking there, I don't know. At any rate, maybe they can do more fat transplantion for you if yours craters, too! Hope you don't think I'm being irreverent! Just trying to lighten things up... continue to improve... and thanks to Mark for being such a good communicator, and to you for being so strong!
ReplyDeleteJan Carmichael
Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteIT sounds like you ar really doing a great job -- we are all behind you and thinking of you constantly!!! Everything that Mark has written has been so positive, we know that you will be back in sorts very soon. In the meantime, please let us know if you need/want anything. You know that we will gladly drop everything if you just say the word. You know that you a great gourp of friends and family that are just waiting and hoping that they can do anything to help.
I know that your Mom and Red are at your place helping out with the girls. If they need a hand or a break we can certianly help out -- it has been a while since I have been to Des Moines, so we'd love to visit -- Becky would be hounding me for a visit with Delaney if I told her it was a possibility!
We are thinking of you and sending our love!
Mike, Cha and Becky (and Tank too!)
Kathleen - so glad you are improving nicely & hopefully the nausea is gone for good. I will pray that your recovery continues & you'll be back with us over at DSP.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jean (aka Jeanrx)