Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Four Weeks

Time for an up-date. I'm happy to say that I am continuing to improve. Today was four weeks. A lot changed in the last week, including the fact that I can now lay down and was able to finally sleep in bed this week. My breathing is improving daily and because Dr. Sardi has made it clear that exercise is important, Mike took me to the Chambersburg Mall today so I could get a workout. I really didn't think I'd be able to walk the entire mall--but we did. Very slowly, but we made it from one end to the other. I think it will make me sleep well tonight.



Thank you to everyone who has sent cards, flowers, food, and just called to check up on us. It means so much. We will never be able to thank you enough.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Three Weeks Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the three week benchmark for surgery. It still feels like a long haul, but when I look back to how much I have improved, even over just the last week, it is truly amazing. I remember reading other people's experiences prior to this surgery and I was sure I'd still be in the hospital at this point. I was certainly prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Lucky for me, every day gets a little better. At my recent visit to Dr. Sardi, Kim the PA suggested that I could start doing some light activities, like doing dishes. I thought to myself, no way. I feel like a thousand pounds is bearing down on my stomach at all times... how can I do anything like dishes? But, being the good patient that I am, I decided I should try. So I loaded the dishwasher after dinner one night and it wasn't so bad. It was nice to move around a little. Last night I even made dinner. Mind you, it wasn't fancy, and Mike did the lifting and shifting, but I made some fish, Mike mashed some potatoes and it was sooooooo good! Then Mike got to do all the clean up from that!

I feel like I can stand some light company, so if you are interested, just give a call first to make sure we aren't at an appointment. Also, Mike will try to balance visits so I don't have too much of a good thing at once. One does get tired of looking at the same walls, but hey, I'm not complaining. It could be so much worse.

So, that's all today. I'll look forward to hearing from ya!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Dr. Sardi Visit Today (Mike)

We returned to Mercy this morning to have Dr. Sardi and Kim, his PA, remove the sutures from the operation. They both said that Diana is doing very well for only being out of surgery for 2 1/2 weeks. Althought the official lab report didn't come back from the lab yet, Dr. Sardi said that he knows enough from his calls with them that Diana had a very low grade of PMP. The good news is that no further chemo treatments appears to be necessary at this time. Follow up CT scans and tumor marker tests will be a normal part of recovery and will be administered on a frequent basis going forward.

Diana expressed her concerns about the shallow breathing and Dr. Sardi assured us that there is still quite a bit of fluid to drain off yet. The excess fluid is inhibiting her ability to breathe deep breaths. This affects her mostly at night, and she has to sleep in a semi-sitting up position.

Diana will slowly increase her exercise regimen. Next week we are going to start walking at the Chambersburg Mall. With the economy the way it is, we should pretty much have the whole mall to ourselves.

So, it's the kind of conversation we were hoping to have with Dr. Sardi, and we did. We are very happy and remain optimistic that Diana will recover fully.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thirteen Days Post Op (Mike)

Slowly but surely we are getting a routine back into our lives. Last night was better than the night before. And each day, she finds she is able to accomplish some small task that she couldn't do the previous day (we'll have her raking leaves in no time!!!). That's progress and I am very happy.

Our neighbors have been so kind and thoughtful. John and Mary Ann brought us the absolute best homemade chicken noodle soup ever! In fact, Diana had some for breakfast this morning. Roger and Marion brought us a roast chicken on Friday when we returned from the hospital. We are so touched by the thoughfulness of our wonderful neighbors. Homemade cooking beats hospital fare and tv dinners and my feeble attempts in the kitchen every time!

Diana is very weak so if she hasn't returned your call, she will in time. Even talking on the phone plays her out. We both appreciate the many cards and letters she has received. I also want to thank the student who gave Diana that little brass bell that she uses to summon me whenever she needs something!!!

My brother Jeff is being moved to an acute rehab facility in Lancaster today where he will continue his slow recovery.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Home

Well, I'm home. I was discharged on Friday and drove straight back to Fayetteville. Dr. Sardi didn't think we needed to stay at Hope Lodge.

Doing OK. The ride was three hours as we did not leave Mercy until 5:00 p.m. which meant we (I should say Mike) had to drive through that awful Friday night rush-hour. He was wonderful. For me the trip was difficult. I had trouble breathing and by the time we got home I was ready to freak out. But Mike got me calmed down and I was able to get a little sleep proped up on the sofa. I still can't lay flat...

Each day seems a little better. Mike is taking excellent care of me and our cats are just so happy to have me back.

Our neighbors Roger and Marion had us a delicious chicken ready to eat. It was so good.

I have lots of people to thank and lots more to tell, but my hands are numb and it is hard to type, so more later.

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting us. It means a lot.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Day Nine Post Op (Mike)

Diana is still exceeding everyone's expectations. Dr. Sardi would have let Diana go home yesterday if she wanted. We discussed it and decided that until Diana's oxygen is better stabilized, she is better off here where professionals can help her. Dr. Sardi acquiesced but he definitely thinks she is ready.

Diana said she had a very good night last night. I stayed at Hope Lodge where I can shower and relax a little. As I write this she is on another floor in Occupational Therapy. There they teach her how to do the most basic of things like putting on her socks, getting into bed, and other things she will need to do prior to getting her strength back.

We are very encouraged so far. While we don't have the lab reports back of the stuff they removed, we hope that no further chemo will be required.

I would like to give a shout out to our friend Nancy, a retired oncology nurse herself. Nancy spent the day with Diana on Tuesday, allowing me to return home for awhile to take care of business. Nancy and her husband Ted have been steadfast friends for over 30 years now. We are truly blessed.

Please continue to keep Diana in your thoughts.
Mike

Monday, November 3, 2008

Six Days Post Op - Good News (Mike)

Diana is doing fantastic! She has been weaned off everything except her chest drains and even they may come off tomorrow, Dr. Sardi says. I just took her for a walk around the hall and she did fine, even without the assistance of oxygen. Dr. Sardi predicted that she may be able to be released by the weekend! And...she may not even have to go to Hope Lodge. When she is released from Mercy, I can take her home. I wish you could all see her. We want to wait until we get her home and settled before she has visitors. Dr. Sardi says that she no longer needs a family member to stay with her through the night here as long as she remains stable.

I went in to U. of MD. Medical Center to see my brother Jeff and was pleased to see some progress there too. (Jeff is in room 723; Diana is in room 722; their respective hospitals are less than 1 mile apart!!!) When he heard my voice, he opened his eyes and squeezed my hand. He even gave me a thumb up when I informed him how well Diana is doing. Jeff still has a long road to hoe before he is the old Jeff. Acute rehab is probably in his forseeable future and then...??? We are all hoping for the best. My sister Jill has everybody in Lancaster County praying for him and it appears to be working so far.

Thanks to everyone who has helped ease our burden. Please keep both of my loved ones in your prayers.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Day Four Post Op (Mike)

It's 9:35 PM and Diana is getting settled in for the night. She had another good day. Vitals are excellent. She went for a walk today in the hallway with her physical therapist. She said it hurt but it was worth it to "just get out of this chair!" Carrie spent the day with her so I could go back home for the day.

Update (from Mike)

After a frustrating start on Friday, Diana's doctor assigned her an excllent nurse. She and the rest of the team here at Mercy worked hard to ease her discomfort and manage her pain better. As a result, Diana had a much better night, the best one yet. Most of yesterday was focused on clearing her lungs and managing pain. While she is still working on the first one, I am happy to report that her pain is being managed very effectively. The medical team should start removing some of her tubing soon. Today (Saturday) she will begin physical therapy. She looks great! Carrie washed her hair last evening. Her color is good. Her vitals are excellent (even though her heart rate is still around 115, this is normal). She received 2 units of blood yesterday (also normal). While I don't think she is ready for a game of Scrabble yet, she is noticeably more alert. Yesterday, she had trouble even reading her blog. She is sitting in her chair as I write this, doing her breathing exercises. The health care professionals here assure us that Diana is progressing very nicely.

Diana requires a family member to be with her at all times. Today, Carrie, bless her heart, will be spending the day. I will run up home (2 hours away) and take care of some domestic things (water plants, clean up cat messes, etc.)

Diana and I have the best neighbors one could ask for. Roger and Marion next door and John and Mary Ann across the street are looking out for us while we are gone. They are feeding the cats, bringing the newspapers up, and generally keeping an eye on things. Diana and I appreciate that so much. What a relief to not have to worry about that too.

Carrie or I will continue to keep you updated. Let's pray that the news continues to be good.