She still watches Food Network

Ok in my last post I told you I would update when I have some more material.  Well, the fact that she still wants to watch Food Network post stomach removal seems pretty amazing to me!  I am not sure I could watch a meal being made so soon after the procedure if it was me.  Once again, I am the guy with the 8 on the pain scale, when my wife is a 4.  We are enjoying a quiet evening at the hospital just the two of us hanging out, it’s kind of nice actually.  Would be better if we weren’t in the hospital but nice nonetheless.

Val has been making good progress with her recovery.  She is becoming way more mobile and able to move around.  Yesterday they started her on broth and water, which went down pretty good.  Today she progressed to mashed potatoes! She was also able to take a shower yesterday, brush her teeth and generally do things that help her feel human again.

The only real challenge to date has been a bugger of an IV and keeping her hydrated.  Due to lymph nodes being taken out of her right arm a few years ago when she was being treated for her breast cancer, she is only supposed to have IV’s on her left arm.  Because of the all the fluids being pumped into her the last few days her left arm got pretty swollen.  Kind of like Popeye arm….  Yesterday the Doctor was good with her being completely unhooked from the IV and to give her meds orally.  There has been no problem with the oral meds, keeping her hydrated though was a little challenge though.  Last night at midnight a few Resident Docs got together and decided to hook her back up to an IV to help get her some more fluids on board because she was dehydrated.  That IV went in the right arm which her husband has been watching like a hawk all afternoon.  Tonight the medical community deemed she had been on the IV long enough and unhooked her again.  That helps lots because she is way more mobile without trailing around an IV pole.

Overall our hospital stay has been as good mainly because each of the Techs and Nurse’s have been awesome.  We have been here long enough now to get to know them well, their families, etc.  Those of you that have played 20 questions with me know the drill.  As a group, they have been wonderful.  Tonight we found out that the nursing staff has been fighting over Val a bit, wanting her to be on their rotation during their shift.  I find that pretty amazing given that her husband can be a little challenging at times.  In regards to timing, our hope is that she gets discharged early next week.

Thank you again for all the prayer, notes of encouragement, visits and general watching after us!  We are very blessed and feel very loved.  I will keep collecting interesting material and keep you posted accordingly.

Marc