Home Sweet Home!!
I've been out for a while and have forgotten to post anything on this blog and was reminded today about it. I left the hospital early on October 18th, I was scheduled to leave the next Sunday or Monday but a religious festival was happening and I was upset about not being there with all of my family because it is a huge ordeal and I didn't want to miss it! By the time I would've originally gotten out, the festival would've already ended. I had lots of fun seeing all of my family and met some new friends. I then went home Tuesday and usually spent my day laying down resting in my bed, reading a book or slowly walking around my home. The coming Saturday I went to church in the wheelchair the hospital lent me and walked around a bit. I've gone to a couple restaurants slowly regaining my strength and distance able to walk. I often have to lay down if I have the chance because standing or sitting too long gives me hip pain.
The following week my mood improved and so did my physical being. I've been able to walk a lot more and not having to rest as much and I've started back up on school work. Yesterday, and Thursday, I actually attended classes. On Thursday, I only attended my first class, Music, and just watched my class since I wasn't able to play my violin or sing because of my lung capacity has decreased but it will heal. Yesterday, I went to Biology and ended up staying for Algebra as well. But I got pretty tired in Algebra, but that also could've been because I didn't know what the teacher was talking about at all!!
I'm on my way the road to full recovery but it's a long road but I've gotten so many cards and prayers from everyone, telling me to stay strong. I have over 300 cards now!! A box full of cards, and another for the envelopes. I get them from everywhere!! I've gotten cards from Australia, Canada, all over the USA!! It's incredible how many people know and care and I really appreciate it all!! I love that everyone cares for my well-being even if they don't know me very well, and all the kids drawings for me! So sweet!! Thank you all so much for caring and for all your prayers!! I'll post in about a week or so!!
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Thursday, October 10, 2019
End of Day Thursday, October 10, 2019
The day was quite eventful in which Emily was surrounded by staff this morning trying to figure out the best way to drain the fluid from her right lung.
They began by doing an ultrasound to verify the location and amount of fluid and then sedated her, taking her into surgery to install a drain line into the lining of her lung. Apparently the fluid was not actually in the lung, but in the lining of the lung and the outer wall. The fluid was actually collapsing her lung inhibiting her breathing.
At around 1:30 p.m. they were done and drained between 200-250 ccs equivalent to a cup of water, 8 oz. After that was done, I made a quick trip to home and get another change of clothes and came back.
It was noticeable that her situation had greatly improved and was able to talk.
Her biggest complaint was not being able to freely move her right leg, which is still tingling. The stomach area is still ultra sensitive, however, she's not whimpering or moaning like before, which shows drastic improvement and most of the discomfort was caused by the shallow breathing.
I suspect we should have a very restful night and tomorrow is a new day.
They began by doing an ultrasound to verify the location and amount of fluid and then sedated her, taking her into surgery to install a drain line into the lining of her lung. Apparently the fluid was not actually in the lung, but in the lining of the lung and the outer wall. The fluid was actually collapsing her lung inhibiting her breathing.
At around 1:30 p.m. they were done and drained between 200-250 ccs equivalent to a cup of water, 8 oz. After that was done, I made a quick trip to home and get another change of clothes and came back.
It was noticeable that her situation had greatly improved and was able to talk.
Her biggest complaint was not being able to freely move her right leg, which is still tingling. The stomach area is still ultra sensitive, however, she's not whimpering or moaning like before, which shows drastic improvement and most of the discomfort was caused by the shallow breathing.
I suspect we should have a very restful night and tomorrow is a new day.
Beginning Day 2 of Recovery in ICU, Thursday, October 10, 2019
After another effective night of rest, it's a bit of a slow road to recovery.
We learned yesterday, from some X rays that there is some fluid in her lungs, but Dr. Sucato said that it is to be expected, but watched after. New X rays were taken this morning to see if it is still there or dissipating. Emily has very shallow breathing and it's largely due to the sensitivity of laying on her chest a full day of surgery just like last week. However, another sensitivity has been created after this second surgery with the removal of the ribs connected to T8 thoracic vertebrae. It has created such a painful sensitivity to her stomach and reaches out her entire body.
The nurses did raise her to a slight incline this morning and are hoping to slowly get her moving and upright, but it will be gradual. It may be that she will be here a while.
She whimpers and grunts with every breath as it appears to be a struggle, but as we're told, nothing threatening...thankfully.
We learned yesterday, from some X rays that there is some fluid in her lungs, but Dr. Sucato said that it is to be expected, but watched after. New X rays were taken this morning to see if it is still there or dissipating. Emily has very shallow breathing and it's largely due to the sensitivity of laying on her chest a full day of surgery just like last week. However, another sensitivity has been created after this second surgery with the removal of the ribs connected to T8 thoracic vertebrae. It has created such a painful sensitivity to her stomach and reaches out her entire body.
The nurses did raise her to a slight incline this morning and are hoping to slowly get her moving and upright, but it will be gradual. It may be that she will be here a while.
She whimpers and grunts with every breath as it appears to be a struggle, but as we're told, nothing threatening...thankfully.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Morning after... (Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019)
Emily had a relatively good night although being visited every hour whether to check her pulmonary breathing or to give her movement tests just to assure she still had movement in her legs and arms.
I failed to mention that they did remove the halo at the end of this surgery and she notices it in being able to move her head more freely in bed.
She woke up initially fine, but then began experiencing some discomfort from nerve sensitivity on her stomach. It eventually subsided and she was able to eat egg and croissant, along with some milk and orange juice.
The doctor ordered her a pint of O+ blood just to give her a boost. All levels are normal, but he just felt she could use it for a quicker recovery.
She is to remain on her back through tomorrow and then they will plan to raise her up and go from there.
I failed to mention that they did remove the halo at the end of this surgery and she notices it in being able to move her head more freely in bed.
She woke up initially fine, but then began experiencing some discomfort from nerve sensitivity on her stomach. It eventually subsided and she was able to eat egg and croissant, along with some milk and orange juice.
The doctor ordered her a pint of O+ blood just to give her a boost. All levels are normal, but he just felt she could use it for a quicker recovery.
She is to remain on her back through tomorrow and then they will plan to raise her up and go from there.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Out of Surgery and in Recovery
We're all with Emily now in recovery and it will just take some time.
What we're most interested in is that she did have what the surgeon calls, "2-3 events." What that means is there were 2-3 instances in which the spinal cord was compromised. That translates right now that she has some weakness and tingling on her right side from her arms to her toes. Still too soon to say what this will be long term, but the best part of it is that she can move all parts of her body and there's been no significant damage that we can determine at this time.
The surgeon described to us the monitoring disruptions during the surgery and that due to the spinal cord disruption, they could not extend her as far as they had hoped to without causing more damage.
Emily says her back is hurting and very sensitive to touch, but she's talking.
I (dad) will be staying with her tonight in the ICU and we will see what tomorrow brings.
We're thankful that this is appearing to be over, for the most part, and now we looking to a full recovery.
Thank you to everyone for the prayers, texts, visits, cards, emails. Please continue to intercede on her behalf that she heals completely and has the best outlook for the future.
What we're most interested in is that she did have what the surgeon calls, "2-3 events." What that means is there were 2-3 instances in which the spinal cord was compromised. That translates right now that she has some weakness and tingling on her right side from her arms to her toes. Still too soon to say what this will be long term, but the best part of it is that she can move all parts of her body and there's been no significant damage that we can determine at this time.
The surgeon described to us the monitoring disruptions during the surgery and that due to the spinal cord disruption, they could not extend her as far as they had hoped to without causing more damage.
Emily says her back is hurting and very sensitive to touch, but she's talking.
I (dad) will be staying with her tonight in the ICU and we will see what tomorrow brings.
We're thankful that this is appearing to be over, for the most part, and now we looking to a full recovery.
Thank you to everyone for the prayers, texts, visits, cards, emails. Please continue to intercede on her behalf that she heals completely and has the best outlook for the future.
So far so good...
I've been receiving updates from the operating room every 1-2 hours and the latest update was the one we were waiting for.
Completion of the removal of the thoracic T8 of the spine with no complications and no monitored disruption of the spinal cord. He is now implanting the two support rods.
This is the news we were hoping for. No invasive wrangling of the spinal cord. Now the final word will be when she wakes up and if she has any tingling or noticeable affects from the surgery itself.
Here is a pic of a normal spine for comparison.
Completion of the removal of the thoracic T8 of the spine with no complications and no monitored disruption of the spinal cord. He is now implanting the two support rods.
This is the news we were hoping for. No invasive wrangling of the spinal cord. Now the final word will be when she wakes up and if she has any tingling or noticeable affects from the surgery itself.
Here is a pic of a normal spine for comparison.
Final Surgery(ies)
Good morning everyone,
This is Emily's dad getting out a quick update. I see she last posted a week before last week's surgery, of which we were hoping to be the last.
It turned out, after 7 hours, that they were not able to get to the most critical aspects of the surgery and that is to remove the T8 vertebrae and associated ribs and install two permanent titanium posts with screws. Since that was not finished, a second surgery date (today) was planned and potentially anticipated.
So, here we are today and she is now in surgery. We're expecting a long day. I want to share with you the model of Emily's spine. One of the pics are of Emily's friend going through her own ordeal with spina bifida, Chelsea. It has been incredibly helpful with these two having each other.
This is Emily's dad getting out a quick update. I see she last posted a week before last week's surgery, of which we were hoping to be the last.
It turned out, after 7 hours, that they were not able to get to the most critical aspects of the surgery and that is to remove the T8 vertebrae and associated ribs and install two permanent titanium posts with screws. Since that was not finished, a second surgery date (today) was planned and potentially anticipated.
So, here we are today and she is now in surgery. We're expecting a long day. I want to share with you the model of Emily's spine. One of the pics are of Emily's friend going through her own ordeal with spina bifida, Chelsea. It has been incredibly helpful with these two having each other.
You will see how malformed the spine is and T8 indicated.
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