Not much sleep last night. Actually, I slept more than Mike did. For a guy that can fall asleep on the couch by 8 on any given night, it's rough to see him not be able to sleep even though he needs & wants to. The big issue is that he hasn't been able to move. He had an oxygen tube, IV, epidural & catheter. Plus the epidural has made his entire right side and leg numb, so he wouldn't have been able to stand even if the nurses would have let him.
Finally around midnight, he was able to stop using the oxygen. His O2 levels have remained in the mid-upper 90's so it looks like we're past that. This morning, Jeff, the anesthesiologist adjusted the epidural down to 5 from 8, but Mike also has a manual pump he can use for a boost if he needs it. Hopefully, that will bring back the rest of feeling in his right leg. It came back gradually over the night, but he probably still couldn't put weight on it if he tried.
Mike's first goal today (aside from actually drinking something) is to have the catheter removed. Now that feeling is coming back into his upper legs he's also feeling that a bit more and claims it isn't comfortable. Hmmm, what a surprise! So, hopefully he can get enough feeling back in both legs to get up and walk to the bathroom and get rid of that. Although, the kids seemed pretty fascinated by it.
Docs should be in later this morning to do rounds. This will be the first time Mike will have spoken to them since before surgery. Will be good to get more information and hear again what was told to me yesterday. I can't get out of my head the statistic Dr Dachman mentioned yesterday following surgery concerning 5 and 10 year survival rates for situations similar to Mike's. I appreciate the honesty, but it's not something I want to think about. Sometimes denial is good.
On June 25, 2010, at age 37, my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. Following a right-hemicolectomy, genetic testing determined the cause was due to HNPCC/Lynch Syndrome. On December 9, 2011 he had a subtotal colectomy.
Glad to here that step is over for you all and best wishes for a good recovery. Denial.. is good especially when Faith is present..you all are not part of similar, because of that.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you all and Our Continued Prayers are with you all.
The Martin Bunch
I, for one, do want a copy of the proposed Christmas card. A little Photoshop might make it look quite festive.
ReplyDeleteStatistics are just another form of evil mathematics like mortgage derivatives and my bathroom scale (damn thing MUST be broken). Mike will be the one who determines where he will fall within (or without) of statistical range.
Give baldy a "thumbs up" for me.
Lime Jello is the best by the way. I'm always right about things like that.