Good evening. This is Elisa writing this on my cell phone.
My mom successfully had her surgery to implant a defibrillator/pacemaker in a 2 hour procedure. The doctor accomplished all he wanted to and said everything went smoothly.
She is recuperating nicely in the hospital for 24 hours. There was a small incision in the right groin. There was also a 3 inch incision for the implantation in her upper left chest/shoulder. This is where she is experiencing pain but she is responding well to medication.
Tonight she sat up and ate most of her dinner. She hopes to be discharged first thing in the morning.
Dad and I have been here all day and he is doing well.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
June 21, 2014 - 6:30AM
NEEDING PRAYERS FOR THE DAYS AHEAD
It has been two weeks since my last post, so here is a quick update. It is amazing how quickly our days are passing - such a different rhythm than all those days in the hospitals. We relish our time together, but still wait for days to really feel like retirement for John. As his eyes are improving, he does get in a fair amount of recreational reading.
After fifteen days John was finally able to put his leg on again! What a happy guy! It was so difficult, but crucial that he wait for complete healing. Now he is gradually increasing the daily time of wearing the leg and very careful about sock layers and fit. He is also wary of the leg press at the gym which we suspect prompted the sore problem. He will have a check with the surgeon again in two weeks. Physical therapy at the rehab center is over for awhile. John is waiting for his walker to be delivered so he can begin more effective and aggressive practice here at home. Our regular and frequent trips to the SpoFit gym are critical to continue strengthening his body.
I continue to feel good most of the time. Some days a good nap is just the thing! My visit to the cardiologist last week had a mixed report. My heart and valve function have improved slightly. In fact, now I am able to take a small dose of the Ace Inhibitor (Lisinopril) since the blood pressure is up slightly and more consistent. However, there is not enough improvement to avoid having a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted. We are told this is a standard treatment for my condition even though I have not had any significant events.
A few days ago, I saw the cardiac electrophysiologist. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24 with hospital check-in at 7am at Mercy Gilbert Hospital in Mesa. It should take a little over an hour. After observation, I will come home the next morning. There will not be general anesthesia and the recuperation is expected to be fairly easy. I cannot raise my left arm above shoulder level for three weeks or lift anything more than 2 pounds. Of course, driving is out for at least a week and I can't put the wheelchair in the car. Once again, Elisa is coming from Utah to help us out. What a blessing! Stephen will bring the children down over the 4th of July and that will liven up my birthday.
I feel a bit anxious, of course. My weakness is my inability to trust God enough to cease my fret and worry. John remains steady and calm and optimistic as always. We ask for your prayers for the surgery and recuperation.
We covet your prayers for other matters in our life. Our dear sister-in-law, Ann Notson Poling, is in the final days of her battle with MDS. Her three daughters are providing loving and vigilant care for her in Portland, OR. Ann remains faithful in her witness and is an inspiration.
On a final note, we have been praying for safe travels and good health for our children. Amy and her family are on a cruise in Greece along with all of Joshua's extended family. Paul, Veronica and Dillon and her mother and sister are in Brazil at the World Cup.
Thanks, family and friends. Do enjoy your summer days!
It has been two weeks since my last post, so here is a quick update. It is amazing how quickly our days are passing - such a different rhythm than all those days in the hospitals. We relish our time together, but still wait for days to really feel like retirement for John. As his eyes are improving, he does get in a fair amount of recreational reading.
After fifteen days John was finally able to put his leg on again! What a happy guy! It was so difficult, but crucial that he wait for complete healing. Now he is gradually increasing the daily time of wearing the leg and very careful about sock layers and fit. He is also wary of the leg press at the gym which we suspect prompted the sore problem. He will have a check with the surgeon again in two weeks. Physical therapy at the rehab center is over for awhile. John is waiting for his walker to be delivered so he can begin more effective and aggressive practice here at home. Our regular and frequent trips to the SpoFit gym are critical to continue strengthening his body.
I continue to feel good most of the time. Some days a good nap is just the thing! My visit to the cardiologist last week had a mixed report. My heart and valve function have improved slightly. In fact, now I am able to take a small dose of the Ace Inhibitor (Lisinopril) since the blood pressure is up slightly and more consistent. However, there is not enough improvement to avoid having a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted. We are told this is a standard treatment for my condition even though I have not had any significant events.
A few days ago, I saw the cardiac electrophysiologist. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24 with hospital check-in at 7am at Mercy Gilbert Hospital in Mesa. It should take a little over an hour. After observation, I will come home the next morning. There will not be general anesthesia and the recuperation is expected to be fairly easy. I cannot raise my left arm above shoulder level for three weeks or lift anything more than 2 pounds. Of course, driving is out for at least a week and I can't put the wheelchair in the car. Once again, Elisa is coming from Utah to help us out. What a blessing! Stephen will bring the children down over the 4th of July and that will liven up my birthday.
I feel a bit anxious, of course. My weakness is my inability to trust God enough to cease my fret and worry. John remains steady and calm and optimistic as always. We ask for your prayers for the surgery and recuperation.
We covet your prayers for other matters in our life. Our dear sister-in-law, Ann Notson Poling, is in the final days of her battle with MDS. Her three daughters are providing loving and vigilant care for her in Portland, OR. Ann remains faithful in her witness and is an inspiration.
On a final note, we have been praying for safe travels and good health for our children. Amy and her family are on a cruise in Greece along with all of Joshua's extended family. Paul, Veronica and Dillon and her mother and sister are in Brazil at the World Cup.
Thanks, family and friends. Do enjoy your summer days!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
June 6, 2014
DESPITE THE HEAT, WE MOVE INTO SUMMER WITH HOPE
When we began this medical journey last October, the 100 degree days of 2013 were just ending. We welcomed the cooler days ahead and looked forward to walks, bike rides and more time outdoors. That didn't happen and now more than 7 months later the long hot days are beginning again. But we are people with a new appreciation for life, live expressing gratitude each day, and with awe of God's continuing grace and mercies giving us hope for better days.
Although we are ever aware of the limitations - fatigue, muscle weakness, and nerve recovery - that continue from the Guillain Barre (daily naps help, John is gaining strength and endurance. The right leg can do more weight-bearing and has more control and flexibility. His eyes close and blink, but still tear often and vision can change during the day. The new ophthalmologist agrees we made the right choice when we bypassed the eyelid surgery. Speech and eating are almost normal. He has been able to continue in physical therapy for a few more weeks. Here are pictures of John's first lessons on climbing stairs. This felt like real progress!
We have a family zoo membership and very early one morning, we took our friend, Mary Danforth, to the zoo. It was a good place for a walk with different scenery. It was also a good chance to relax in the shade while watching the "African" plains complete with giraffes, rhino, gazelles and ostriches.
An exciting event was getting a new "socket" on John's prosthesis! Because the stump continues to shrink dramatically, the old socket was too big and a poor fit. He had begun to wear 10 "layers" of the special socks. The new prosthesis fits great and is very fashionable - take a look below. John is able to move around with more comfort, confidence and safety. He also does well on the parallel bars, moving with a smoother gait when he uses only his right hand for guidance.
However, he continues to experience setbacks because of wounds on the stump. Each time there is a small seepage of the "serous" fluid, he is not able to wear the leg. It has been a full week this time. He continues in physical therapy twice a week, but emphasis is on strengthening his right leg, arms and "core". No walking. This also means a lot more time in the wheelchair and less activity which is very frustrating. The prosthetist is working on a possible solution, but the possibility of more surgery grows stronger. (Please pray about this particular issue.)
Jackie continues to feel well most days and keeps up with day-to-day routines and chauffeuring. Yesterday she had the second echocardiogram and next week will get the results when she has a checkup with the cardiologist. Keeping track of the diet with the sodium intake under control has become easier. Occasionally, there is shortness of breath - oddly, not occurring during her vigorous activity or exercise.
We continue to care for our patio garden - and there is always some "chore" we need help with when we have visitors. Our friend Tony Cook came by and conveniently helped hang two flower pots - after Jackie had pounded the long nails into the rafters. My skills at home repairs keep growing! Just today I repaired the latch on the front screen door.
Two weeks ago we successfully trimmed our purple sage bushes. Our beautiful museum palo verde tree in the front yard needed trimming, so today we tackled the job ourselves. You can see from the pictures below that John was very determined to cut what he could from the wheelchair. Since he could not venture forth on the gravel yard it was my turn with the tree trimmer - a first for me. It was a lot of work, but we got the job done before the temperature hit 100.
We continue to receive your greetings and appreciate the encouragement. We live in the grace of the Lord and the answers to your prayers. Please know that all of you are in our prayers each day. If you are in town, give us a call and stop by for a visit!
When we began this medical journey last October, the 100 degree days of 2013 were just ending. We welcomed the cooler days ahead and looked forward to walks, bike rides and more time outdoors. That didn't happen and now more than 7 months later the long hot days are beginning again. But we are people with a new appreciation for life, live expressing gratitude each day, and with awe of God's continuing grace and mercies giving us hope for better days.Although we are ever aware of the limitations - fatigue, muscle weakness, and nerve recovery - that continue from the Guillain Barre (daily naps help, John is gaining strength and endurance. The right leg can do more weight-bearing and has more control and flexibility. His eyes close and blink, but still tear often and vision can change during the day. The new ophthalmologist agrees we made the right choice when we bypassed the eyelid surgery. Speech and eating are almost normal. He has been able to continue in physical therapy for a few more weeks. Here are pictures of John's first lessons on climbing stairs. This felt like real progress!
We have a family zoo membership and very early one morning, we took our friend, Mary Danforth, to the zoo. It was a good place for a walk with different scenery. It was also a good chance to relax in the shade while watching the "African" plains complete with giraffes, rhino, gazelles and ostriches.
An exciting event was getting a new "socket" on John's prosthesis! Because the stump continues to shrink dramatically, the old socket was too big and a poor fit. He had begun to wear 10 "layers" of the special socks. The new prosthesis fits great and is very fashionable - take a look below. John is able to move around with more comfort, confidence and safety. He also does well on the parallel bars, moving with a smoother gait when he uses only his right hand for guidance.
However, he continues to experience setbacks because of wounds on the stump. Each time there is a small seepage of the "serous" fluid, he is not able to wear the leg. It has been a full week this time. He continues in physical therapy twice a week, but emphasis is on strengthening his right leg, arms and "core". No walking. This also means a lot more time in the wheelchair and less activity which is very frustrating. The prosthetist is working on a possible solution, but the possibility of more surgery grows stronger. (Please pray about this particular issue.)
Jackie continues to feel well most days and keeps up with day-to-day routines and chauffeuring. Yesterday she had the second echocardiogram and next week will get the results when she has a checkup with the cardiologist. Keeping track of the diet with the sodium intake under control has become easier. Occasionally, there is shortness of breath - oddly, not occurring during her vigorous activity or exercise.
We continue to care for our patio garden - and there is always some "chore" we need help with when we have visitors. Our friend Tony Cook came by and conveniently helped hang two flower pots - after Jackie had pounded the long nails into the rafters. My skills at home repairs keep growing! Just today I repaired the latch on the front screen door.
Two weeks ago we successfully trimmed our purple sage bushes. Our beautiful museum palo verde tree in the front yard needed trimming, so today we tackled the job ourselves. You can see from the pictures below that John was very determined to cut what he could from the wheelchair. Since he could not venture forth on the gravel yard it was my turn with the tree trimmer - a first for me. It was a lot of work, but we got the job done before the temperature hit 100. We continue to receive your greetings and appreciate the encouragement. We live in the grace of the Lord and the answers to your prayers. Please know that all of you are in our prayers each day. If you are in town, give us a call and stop by for a visit!
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