So Megs and I have gotten into some form of routine these last few days, providing me the opportunity to set goals daily and push past them when I can. It hasn't been all smooth sailing and there have been some up and downs, but Praise God, once they got the meds regulated and the pain under control, I continue to push it with much rest mixed in. Saturday (1/15/2012) was probably my toughest day yet as I had more drainage into my new stomach than I have had to date, this in-turn made me cough more during the day, until they figured out that the drainage tube (the tube you see hanging out of my nose, called the NG tube or nasogastric tube, also can be used for feeding but in this one is reversed and it sucks everything out of my stomach) was stuck to my stomach wall and not sucking up fluid properly. After they got that fixed, I felt like a new man and its just one more thing I am monitoring hourly now. So today, has been a little rough because I am sore from all the coughing, as that has my #1 nemesis right now. I guess there is just no way around coughing, other than limiting it as much as I possibly can. With the incisions in my abs and the diaphragm, I really ache when I cough, even if I use a pillow to splint my belly when I cough... The old adage here definitely holds true, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"
I know Megs posted a video the other day of me taking my first steps...I have a little better pace now. Below is an updated video that you'll have to go to wilestrials.blogspot.com to view. Some of the nurses feel like they have to keep up with me now - smile. Feels good to get out from these four white walls, walk and see the hospital, and waft the smells coming up through the atrium from the Great American Cookie company. Just cause I changed my diet, doesn't mean cookies don't smell good any longer.
Here are a few pics of the hospital. We have been really happy with The UMMC, their staff and the facilities.
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| They added the wing we are staying in right to the outside of the old hospital and added the glass roof... it's just so light and airy and makes you feel like you are walking outside. |
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| Here are the stairs down to the bottom of the atrium right outside the unit, and Megs is getting her exercise walking all 9 flights during the day as well. |
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| My new loofah |
Another neat thing during spa day, they have now are these shower caps which are "rinse free" caps that you warm up in the microwave, put on your melon and scrub away and then just dry your head. Oh that felt great!!!!
We also had some friends who were coming to visit pick up some chapstick, as with the nose tube, I have had to breath out my mouth more than I usual, so my lips have been chapped really bad......They picked up some flavored chapstick and once I put that on, I think my eyes rolled in the back of my head. Let me tell you what, I was beside myself cause I hadn't tasted anything with flavor since before surgery. It's been the little things that have brought a smile to my face at times. Meg said she hadn't seen me smile that big in about a week!
We even had a "date night" the other day, I couldn't tell you what we watched, but it was nice to just "cuddle" in our own little way. We've talked about our new normal, well here is what it looks like at least for the next week or so. Each of us in our own recliner - wheeled together so we could hold hands. Meg laughed saying this isn't exactly where she thought or envisioned we'd be at this point in our marriage - as we'll be coming up on our 10 yr anniversary in February. But God continues to surprise with what he has in store for us.
Additionally, we have gotten to see Taylor daily, via Skype or Facetime. Thank goodness for technology. She's been such a trooper and we can't thank our family enough for helping watch her, distracting her from the reality of our situation. She is having a blast! We weren't sure how she would react the first time she saw daddy with a tube hanging out his noise. Well as resilient as kids are, she saw me and says "Daddy, what's that thing on your face?" Just matter of factly. I explained to her that it's to help daddy's booboo... guess that sufficed since she went right back to playing as if nothing was wrong. She's a wild-woman! Though we are really missing her we know how much harder it would be if she was down here these 2 weeks while I'm in the hospital.
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| No Fear Prayer on Meg's Believe Big Shirt |
A couple of neat testimonial things...I can't tell you how many people (staff) have asked me about the Roman 8:28 I had written on my chest - that still remains but has faded a bit. It really allowed me to share how God has led us through this journey and provided for us in more ways that we can even begin to document or share. Also a neat story on Meg's BelieveBig t-shirt. So she went down to get something from the cafeteria on Saturday, she rode the elevator down. After she got off and was walking down the hallway for a bit, a lady came up to Megs and just said she wanted to thank her for the "No Fear" prayer on the back of her shirt. She said she was praying that prayer during the elevator ride, as she has had some anxiety about upcoming travel for herself and it just brought her peace as she prayed it. Pretty neat!
So that's where we are at now. The doctors continue to assure me that I am right on track and we look forward to the leak test either Tuesday or Wednesday (1/17 or 1/18/2012). Please pray for positive results on this test, which will in-turn allow for a number of the other tubes to come out, allow me to start eating soft foods and hopefully push the healing exponentially.
Thank You all again for the the prayers, encouragement and support!
Trust in Him
God Bless!
Jason
