OT ... 50 degrees and Smiling

Sarah has just drifted off to sleep. She had a pretty good day yesterday, but another rough night. It wasn't as bad as the nights before, but it was still difficult. I also had a kidney stone attack and took some Toradal which thankfully allowed me to some relief, but didn't allow me to be as available to her as either of us would have liked. Thank goodness that the night nurse is truly an angel that can be depended upon. She took wonderful care of Sarah during the night and I took the reigns again this morning.

We started the morning with a bath and massage which helped change the tone. Of course, while bathing Sarah we had a parade of Dr's ad Dr. Feldman and several of the attendings and residents came by early this morning (6:30 am) to see her. They are pleased with her progress, but she still has too much drainage occuring to consider sending her 'home' yet. She will be here at least today and probably tomorrow, possibly more, we'll just have to wait and see. They did move us to another room (she's now in room 829, bed 2) because Sarah no longer requires the heavy monitoring that she initially required. Sarah is continuing to use the continuous passive motion device to exercise and flex her knee. Dr. Feldman increased the flexion of the knee to 50 degrees today and Sarah is tolerating it fairly well. Sarah also saw the Physical Therapist who worked with her on using crutches and a walker. She also gave Sarah some exercises to do. Her peditrician saw her and they are continuing to adjust medications. Sarah has been having a lot of nose bleeds; probably due to the combination of the nasal canulas they've been using to give her oxygen and the baby aspirin used to thin her blood. She's been on oxygen because her blood oxygen levels have been a little low and she seems to have some compression of the lower right lung. She's using the spirometer ...that little blowing device ... pretty agressively now (several times an hour) and sitting up in a chair more to help expand her lung capacity. They're checking her white blood count and have done a chest x-ray to ensure that she's doing well ... thank goodness, no pneumonia!We are working with the hospital to arrange for equipment to be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House while we are here so that she can continue PT. They are also going to work with me to arrange whatever we need to order so that Sarah's PT will be uninterrupted when we get to Raleigh. We'll be working the the Occupational Therapist later this afternoon or tomorrow to ensure that we have the skills necessary to make the trip home as safe and uneventful as possible.

Barb

Thanks for the update Barb.  Sounds like Sarah is making great progress.  Sorry to hear about your kidney stones, bad timing huh?  Take care of yourself, so you'll be able to take care of Sarah!  Alice

Thanks Alice,

I'm working on it. I had a wonderful dinner of shrimp ****tail and fresh fruit salad ... mmmmm. I went for a walk in lovely NYC sunshine today. Actually, I've done it everyday and it's been a great way to relieve stress. I also found a sweet yarn shop and bought some great bamboo needles and some beautiful yarn. I'm working on a lovely scarf; it's a great way to pass the time.

As you say, the timing for the kidney stones is a bit difficult, but we truly were blessed to have a angel for the night nurse ... not so with the day nurse, but thank goodness the night shift nurse has been fabulous and I truly was able to rest easy knowing that Sarah would be well cared for.

I hope you and your dear family are well too,

Barb

Glad to hear things are going good for Sarah but sad that you had the kidney stone act up.  You have a very strong girl there with a good guardian angel watching over her. Take care and God Bless,  Pam

Thank god for angels... Those in heaven and on earth.

b

Sounds like she is great hands and getting great care from you and the nurses and therapists.  50 degree's of knee flexion on the CPM sounds like she is progressing right along. Wishing Sarah an uneventful and speedy recovery. Belinda

Belinda,

Thanks ... she's working on it and moving right along. She's getting great care. The night nurse is just FABULOUS! So is most of the other staff.

Thanks again,

Barb

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.

thanks ... I know they are being heard.

b

Well Barb, I am delighted to see that Sarah is making such promising progress, but I sure wish you didn't have to endure the additional burden of those kidney stones.  I am so sorry to hear that they have been so troublesome!  I'd like to see you get a break here!  Will continue to pray...  give Sarah my best wishes.