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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Day 13: Less Drama, The Light In Her Eyes Returns

Phew!! I was ready for a less eventful day and more sparkle in her eyes to return. When I arrived upon the scene this morning, Louise was already sitting up in her chair. I could tell that she was no longer heavily drugged, but she was kind of in the "hangover" stage. She still had some pain in her upper chest and hadn't been able to eat anything for breakfast. Her heart rate was at 128 just sitting there. I was concerned and let the nurse know that she needed to do something to make her feel better and get the heart rate down. Sometimes the nurses need to worry more. They can take lessons from me because I have the reputation for knowing how to worry. Anyway, she went and called the doctor who suggested that Louise was probably dehydrated. So she brought one bag of saline, hooked it up and within 20 minutes her heart rate went down to about 100 and she started feeling a lot better. As the morning wore on, you could really see things changing. The pain was less and the old Louise was coming back. Both Kelsey and I really saw the light come on in her smiley eyes. What a relief.

The big bonus was that they came in and removed the left side garden hose like they said they might. That leads me to think that tomorrow they will remove the other two right side tubes and finally take out the main source of pain. Most of the rest of her pain has been caused by her upper chest abrasion which is not controlled by the lower epidural. That pain is supposed to go away soon also.

This evening, before she went to bed (for the first time today) she took two laps around the pod. She did well with that. I think she will do so much more of the walking in the days to come. She needs to find her strength back because she has been pretty weak. She also ate her soft foods very well both lunch and dinner. I am so encouraged by some of the things she can now eat. They won't let her eat real solids yet, but what she is eating, like thick pudding and thick soup is more than she could ever eat before this surgery. What a blessing to see her eat again!!

So, we are so thankful that prayers have been answered and that she really turned the corner today. Thanks again for your concern. Sorry Peggy that I was late with my post!

Spence

13 comments:

  1. Dad- thanks for always keeping us in the loop and for taking care of Mom. Mom- thanks for getting better and better everyday and for your happy attitude and your determination.

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  2. What great news! I am picturing both Webe's face and yours, Spence. Happy smiles!!! And your post has put a big smile on my face. Rest well, dear ones. Tomorrow is sure to be even better, especially if they remove the garden hoses!!
    Love, Deb

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  3. "Phew!!" is just the right expression. What an encouraging day! Just hearing about the "garden hoses" is painful. I'm glad they are on their way OUT. Hope you both rest well and have a wonderful Sunday.

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  4. Louise, We are praying for you and want you to know we love you. May you feel better each day and go home soon. See you on the beach favorite kin.

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  5. So happy to get this last post, such wonderful news, now will go to sleep and get to church tomorrow. You take care of yourself as well as that queen of yours.

    As always your both in my thoughts and prayers 24/7.

    Peggy ( & Chaz too.....he just asked about you both.) Will read the post
    to him now.

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  6. Such great news - I am so thankful!!! I hope today brings even more rest and laps and eating....and more relief for you Spence. As ever thanks for keeping us up to date - you both are also in my thoughts and prayers....love, Janet

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  7. So happy for the good news...we can breathe a sigh of relief!!! Way to go, Louisa...once more you are my hero.
    Love you

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  8. Yes!!! Good Progress! Each day now we are hoping and praying for continued strides to being the healthy, perky, normal(well were you ever normal), loving Louise!
    Love, Becky

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  9. I am so happy to hear that Louise is doing better. That was a real rough stretch there for a while! Lets hope that from now on there will be better days and bigger smiles.

    Love,
    Annie

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  10. Lloyd and I feel so good about this report. We love you guys!

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  11. Happy Days! You put us in a great scare there for a while. I haven't read or written because we are finally home. Trisa told us of the lung problem and that really scared us. I love Heavenly Fathers tender mercies. Keep up the hard work and Spence you are one great husband. WE love you both so much and wait for the time when we can come and see both of you. Keep improving and you are both in our prayers always.

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  12. Thank you Uncle Spence for the detailed updates, it is so good to hear that Aunt Louise's light is shining through. Praying for Aunt Louise to be in less discomfort tomorrow and perhaps the removal of some more of those pesky tubes!

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  13. I am so thankful to hear that Louise is doing better. It is so stressful on you and the family to see her go through so much. It is such a relief through your blog and I am so grateful that you can keep us all informed like this. Love you all so much! Take care and good night. Love, Mary Kay

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