Angie & Jim

Another updateby Jim

So a few more things: Angie’s arterial line and chest tubes are already out.  She’s had an xray that looked great and Deb is here testing her pacemaker.  I’ve attached a picture of the communication unit that she used to talk to the pacer.  She’s also got a turtle, but he’s getting a little ratty.  I love being in a children’s hospital 🙂

Sad news and good newsby Jim

Well, I may have had a good night last night, but Angie had a rough night.  I got in and had to quickly find her migraine medicine from her purse (that I had taken with me for safe keeping).  All night she was too warm and just generally uncomfortable.  To compound the issue, our little “roommate” in the bed next door (who shares a nurse with us) had a rough night too, so the nurse spent most of her time tending to the baby.  After taking her tried and true Exedrin/Alka seltzer combo, the migraine is now under control.

The surgeon just stopped by while I was posting and said they want to take the chest tube out today (yeah!) and that if things continue to go well we might leave tomorrow.  Here’s hoping.

A restful nightby Jim

I am so very grateful to Brandon and Mary for making me feel so comfortable.  Instead of having to sleep in a less-than-comfortable chair in a waiting room, they offered to let me stay at their home, less than 2 miles from the hospital.  Not only that, but they stayed up and chatted with me, which helped me unwind and relax.  I can’t tell you guys how much it means to me.  Thank you.

Angie was sleepy and well when I left her earlier tonight.  She’s been in a lot of pain and I had to encourage her to push her button to administer the pain medications.  She is so worried about being groggy and using too much narcotic.  Unfortunately, her choice was to be awake and in pain or to be sleepy and in less pain.  Neither of which are great conditions.  Hopefully we’ll get everything under control tomorrow.

Thanks for all your support.

In the CVICUby Jim

I’m with Angie now in the cardiovascular ICY and she’s doing fine.  She is a little groggy, but that is to be expected.  She wore her glasses into the OR (normally she remembers to hand them to me, but she was already on some “happiness” meds, so she forgot.  When I asked the nurse, she said they had them and had put them in the only bag they had that was the right size: a biohazard bag.  Awesome.

Volunteer visitby Jim

I was just visited by Karen, the volunteer.  She was very nice and took me upstairs and gave me a brief orientation of the area.  She showed me the parent lounge where there is a little kitchenette with a fridge, sink, and microwave.  She also gave me me a little LPCH tote bag, for all my… toting needs.  There is an information packet inside and a pen and notepad.  They sure are nice here.

So the picture won’t rotate, so I’m sorry.  I’m posting from my phone, so it is a little limited.

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Update from the surgeonby Jim

I just spoke with Dr. Maeda and he said they were able to find a good spot for the new lead, but that it was hard to find.  There isn’t much unscarred tissue left.  I knew it would be problematic before they started because I remember hearing the exact same comment the last time she got a new lead. 

The good newa is that they’ve already removed the breathing tube she’ll wake up without a tube down her throat.  I can’t imagine how uncomfortable that is.  It is usually her least favorite part of surgeries.  The grogginess usually just makes it worse.  They told us they wouldn’t extubate until tonight, so she went under expecting to wake up with it still in.  Ugh.

I can go see her in about 25 minutes.  I’ll post again after I see her.

Surgery completeby Jim

The monitor in the waiting room has just indicated that the surgery is complete.  I haven’t heard any news yet, just that it is done.