D4 Update?

cathys

Glad the surgery well. That picture is heartbreaking. Hoping that was the main cause and she continues to improve.

Jolly

<BUMP>

How is she doing today? Better pain control?

George K · "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

She's having the expected surgical pain. They say that day 3 is the worst (tomorrow), but hopefully they can wean her off of IV narcotics after that and get a plan for discharge. Acute pain service is going to see her today.

She still has some "zings" as she calls them going down the leg. However, surgical team assured her that, since there's no disc there anymore, this is just nerve irritation and will pass.

She's hoping to get discharged Sunday. SHe's going to stay at the condo with us, and SIL will bring the boys over during the day. SIL thinks that, now that she's out of the hospital, all is good. Nope, this will be a long rehab.

At least at our place, she won't have to do a thing, and the boys can bounce around the house without her having to do anything.

Renauda

Good that she will be convalescing with you and Mrs. Dr. George. Both of you understand her immediate and ongoing needs during post surgery rehab.

Mik

She could not be in better hands.

Jolly

No, this is not a 3-day recovery. This will take awhile. But if the end result is stiffness and some minor pain controlled with OTC stuff intermittedly, it's a big win.

taiwan_girl

Wow! Glad that you are able to help! That is great!!

89th

Thanks for the update, GK!

George K · "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

Being discharged today. She's on a bucket of Dilaudid, but considering she's been on IV Dilaudid for pain control for the last 3 ½ weeks or so, I'm not surprised. She's eager to get the hell out of the hospital.

She's OK with the surgical pain, but the radiculopathy of the S1 nerve root persists. It's getting better, but it's still there, and that makes sitting uncomfortable. Lying or standing are the best. That is ONE pissed off nerve root. It's been bothering her since January, and we finally have a definitive treatment. Gonna have to wait for healing.

She's gonna spend time with us so Mrs. George and I can wait on her - I estimate 4-5 days.

Also D2 is crossing the Cheddar Curtain today to help out.

jon-nyc

Good to hear. I hope the pain goes away soon.

Horace

Glad she is recovering. I hope this time will be the last.

Jolly

@George-K said in D4 Update?:

That is ONE pissed off nerve root. It's been bothering her since January, and we finally have a definitive treatment.

Ok, the pressure should be off of it and I know it takes time for a nerve to settle down. Are there any other treatments, beside oral pain meds?

taiwan_girl

Wow!!! Hope things continue on the upward healing curve!

George K · "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

@Jolly said in D4 Update?:

Ok, the pressure should be off of it and I know it takes time for a nerve to settle down. Are there any other treatments, beside oral pain meds?

Something was said about home PT - I don't know whatever became of that. We'll see.

George K · "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

Long, long update.

First of all, me. I came down with a nasty virus about 3 weeks ago. Some kind of influenza variant that caused a bad bronchitis. Loud, rattly, productive cough that I couldn't shake. It eventually moved up to my ears, sinuses, and nose. I'm a bit better, but still no energy. Lost appetite, and lost about 8 lbs. Finally ate some pizza today.

D4 had her surgery Tuesday as mentioned. She came to stay with us on Saturday and is doing better than I expected. Pain is controlled on oral narcotics. She is wearing a back brace that limits movement and she has been surprisingly active. Incision looks good, but she has some kind of weird rash around the incision that looks like an allergic reaction. PM me if you want a photo. She'll probably stay here through Thursday and then home that evening.

About a week after I got sick, Mrs. George got the virus. Non-stop coughing. Totally debilitating. It got so bad that last Sunday (10 days ago) we went to the ER. Virus panel showed parainfluenza. After a couple of neb treatments, a blast of steroids, she was good enough to go home. She did OK until last Sunday, when the constant cough became so debilitating that she was unable to eat, sleep or rest. Back to the ER on Sunday AM, this time via ambulance. More of the same treatment, but was admitted overnight. She came home yesterday PM in a slightly better condition. It's frustrating because there's really nothing you can do other than supportive care - nebulizer, mucomist, cough suppressant, steroids.

It's been a horrible, horrible month. Sick as hell here, D4 with two spine surgeries, and Mrs. George with two trips to the ER.

Rant on shitty hospital care to follow....

Jolly

Rant away. Shitty hospital care has become standard.

Glad to hear D4 is better. Latex rash?

And you and the missus rest and recuperate. Please.

kluurs

DAMN! Sorry to hear that things are so rough. That's horrible! Hospital ER - if a teaching hospital - as you've noted, the introduction of new residents. Someone entrepreneurial should put a vending machine in the ER lobby that does instant estate planning. It's a shame all of this is at once.