102 #1j

Well I think we are back on track. The last two weeks have been hard physically and emotionally and we kind of lost our focus and our trust in what was happening. We both had chats with Dr Temple tonight and he answered our questions and (very importantly) calmed our fears and confusions. Our disappointment about not coming home on the 15th certainly tainted our ability to keep our spirits up but we're now both feeling more positive and we know we need to focus on recovery and strength-building rather than a specific date - Linda's body will be ready to go home when it's ready. 

On the medical front, the tear in the stomach seems to be healing - that's good news. The splenic rupture 2 weeks ago aggravated tissues in the upper left quadrant of her abdominal cavity resulting in some inflammation so tubes have been inserted to drain the inflammation. WBC count has remained in a normal (for Linda) range and her vitals are good. She's getting up and about - walking the halls - and getting stronger. She continues to beat me handily at card games - that's not new!! And has started reading again - John Grisham. And we've decided that she'll start writing on here too - look for words of wisdom from Linda tomorrow!

102 #1i

Well, we ran into a bump in the road on Friday and Linda didn't get to shop her face off. We and the Docs became more concerned as the day progressed about the 'stuff' that was exiting her wound manager on her belly. After more tests and poking, it was determined that there was a small leak in the stomach. Dr Temple called it a 'nuisance' and 'not unexpected' and precisely the reason he had wanted to keep Linda close for the extra couple of weeks. So she's all suited up with an NJ for nutrition / NPO. Last night vitals were stable and her spirits are gradually lifting. I'm sure the game today will be a good distraction!
 
To the WV alumni: the hospital server won't let me access those unbelievably spirited and talented dances you made for Linda (I've seen and chuckled loudly and told her and cursed loudly when I couldn't get them at the hospital) so I'm going to try to download them to the desktop (argghh - I'm not the computer person in our family) so they can be her 'half-time show' during the Grey Cup game.

102 #1h

Good morning from Balmy Calgary. I promised Linda at the beginning of the week that if it warmed up, we'd do the day pass on Friday and hasn't it turned out to be just a lovely, mild day. But we've decided to leave Harry (alas) until next week for two reasons - firstly, it's a 2  1/2 hour movie - long time for Her Ladyship to sit (even for Harry) and secondly, I've been using my spare time to look for and get stocking stuffers and she's feeling the need to start her own Stocking Stuffers shopping - an hour in the Mall will be enough for the first venture out.

More walking yesterday and more eating - things are looking up!

102 #1g

So it's almost a private room - it's a semi without anyone else in there at least until later today - a full 24 hours of privacy - she was sure relishing that yesterday. On the health front, everything seems to be draining the way it should, vitals are good, WBC count keeps trending down. Still eating and having very minimal amounts of nausea.

I made Linda's fav, Almond Oatmeal Shortbread, and a recipe for French Chocolate Bark (from Ina) last night - both are tasty.

102 #1f

The ct scan showed an abscess in Lin's abdominal cavity so she's on a round of antibiotics to kill the beast - also has a couple of drains for draining fluid from the abscess. Good thing we're here. She also had a visit from the infectious diseases team yesterday - now didn't that initially make our hearts plummet? But they will be recommending a course of antibiotics to be taken after Linda is discharged and they just wanted to go over how they will determine the best meds - they sure knew lots about what's happened to her. We've been lobbying for a private room for the end of her stay at the Foothills Resort and Spa - will find out today or tomorrow if we whined enough!

My first batch of shortbread turned out dry and tasteless - argghh! Not enough practice - will try again later today.

102 #1e

Yesterday morning, Dr Temple told Linda that he will be keeping her in the hospital for 2 more weeks - quite a disappointment for her because she was hoping to be home safe and sound early next week. But eventually we both saw the sanity of this - Dr T and his team want to be absolutely sure that everything in that diminutive body of her's is working the way it should be before he releases her to the wide world.  She had a ct scan yesterday to check her abdomen and we'll get results today. Vitals are good and that dreaded nausea is in abeyance. Later this week, she'll get a day pass and we will venture out (in milder temperatures) to get a Harry Potter fix. Patience is the name of the game here. I'm starting my Christmas baking today - partly because Linda is craving some and partly because Tracy did win the initial release date pool. Feels good to have my hands in butter and brown sugar and pecans......

102 #1d

Well, weren't those Roughriders glorious!! I did get to see half of the game because the wonderfully raucous Cher musical movie doesn't start until Wednesday - quelle disappointment! Today will be a busy and tiring day for Linda - the Docs are planning another CT scan (we've lost count of how many she's had) for this morning. Wish they'd invent another way to have a look inside that didn't involve Telebrix. And we should get results from bloodwork done at the end of last week. She's wanting mac and cheese so I'm off to the grocery store to get ingredients - looking forward to cooking.

102 #1c

A good day up here in 102. Linda just beat me handily in a card game called 31 (in all our years together, we've never played this game and I do wonder if she's changing the rules to keep winning - altho I did manage a win at crib earlier this morning!). She had a substantial (for her) lunch of half a turkey sandwich, a piece of cheddar, and some fruit cocktail. And we've finally found a liquid that has some good electrolyte stuff in it and isn't too sweet - Gatorade (I rue my scoffing at those tv ads now). Anyway we're going off for a walk and then she'll don her Roughriders' gear (actually just a green cordoroy jacket) for the big game. I'm going to take a break from football (heresy, I know) and go and see Cher in Burlesque while Linda watches the game - I'm sure she'll have lots of company as nurses and residents keep popping in to see how the eastern final is going.

102 #1b

Hello from frozen Calgary! Must admit I was surprised to hear about snow in Vernon yesterday - it had been lovely to think that 'home' was snow-free and balmy as I drove along these icy roads - hhmmm....have to revise the vision of home now. Linda continues to get stronger (again) - walking, starting to eat, very alert. She is sleeping lots which is good. Yesterday was a bit of a 'down' day for me - one of the nurses suggested that I was having a 'trauma hangover' - so I slept, wept, and whined. This morning (after a full night's sleep - thank god for sleeping pills) I'm feeling much better. Just have to keep reminding myself that we are coming home soon. I got Linda a green cordoroy top to wear tomorrow for the BIG GAME.

102 #1a

Yes she was moved from ICU late this afternoon - up to Unit 102 again. Quite animated this morning - joking with Robert (one of the ICU people) about how the Roughriders were going to best the Stampeders this weekend. Started on fluids again - apple juice, popsicles and then 'begged' for something more substantial at lunch and got some tomato soup (her fav!). Tired this afternoon with frequent naps but still alert when awake. First thing she asked when we got up to 102: Can you order the TV for me? I've never seen her sooo interested in football.

ICU #1c

I'm home for the night - the roads are treacherous - icy and snowy with more snow to come and Linda insisted that I stay safely at home this evening. When I got to ICU this morning, she was sitting up with the respirator gone and looking remarkably perky. The glue seems to have worked on the rupture and her WBC continues to trend down. All vitals are great. In fact, she was moved to the ICU 'overflow' area where they put the comparatively 'well' patients when the unit starts to burst at the seams from incoming. Looks like she'll be moving to the surgical unit floor soon and then we'll restart our countdown for home.

ICU #1b

A quiet day in the ICU - they kept Linda sedated for most of the day but all is well and I did get a hand squeeze late this afternoon. Her vitals are stable and, in fact, her hemoglobin and heart rate are better than they've been in ages. WBC count is down to 12 (from 41 yesterday) so those antibiotics are doing their job. She's on a respirator but only at 30% and the docs are talking about getting her off that very soon. They found a pocket of fluid in the abdomen (on yesterday's CT scan) and inserted a drain to get rid of the fluid. Cailen (tonight's nurse) is sure she'll be awake tomorrow.

ICU # 1a

So that damn splenic artery acted up again today - thank goodness we were already in the hospital (there definitely is someone watching over our Linda). They managed to repair it by filling it up with glue(!!!). Dr Temple was very pleased with how the procedure went. She will be back in ICU for a while to make sure that it sticks (!) and to get rid of the wretched infection in her bladder - the reason we went to the hospital in the first place.  I'm feeling very, very relieved - just couldn't believe we might be in trouble again. Will have a good sleep tonight.

Emergency Room #1

Well, we hit a bump in the road - not literally. Linda woke up last night about 1:45 shivering and feeling very weak and nauseated. So we brought her back to the hospital. She's been admitted and first results indicate some dehydration and perhaps a urinary tract infection - which can be readily fixed say the Docs. Just to be on the safe side, they are also doing a CT scan (argghh - more telebrix). Linda is disappointed of course but we both realize that this is the best place for her to have a bump in the road because they know her history very well. So now we're hoping for a speedy recovery from this blip so we can make another plane reservation. Cath did leave with the loaded up truck and the pooches this am. Will write as I find out more.

Transition #3

We had a quiet day - Linda on the couch watching football (didn't that game go on forever?), me packing up (amazing how much has been accumulated). When Cath gets back from visiting with Chris and Caroline and the boys tonight, we'll load up the truck - Cath's hoping for a very early start - around 5 am. There's a chance we might all arrive in Vernon tomorrow around the same time. We can't say enough 'Thank You's' to Cath for her kindness for doing this for us. And we will be forever grateful to Tracy for opening her home to us. Goodness, we're a lucky pair!

Transition #2

Great day yesterday! Cath arrived safely and came for a visit in the morning - we think we have our plan in place for tomorrow! Then Linda and I went off in the afternoon to a dreadful movie - Morning Glory (why would those actors choose to do such an awful movie - $, we think) - which was Linda's choice. Just stayed at home for the rest of the day. The full day tired her out and she slept for 12 hours. She woke up this am quite hungry and sooo happy to have her regular Shreddies. Linda's looking forward to a football afternoon and of course, she'll be rooting for Saskatchewan.

Linda says: Tomorrow will be an early morning as we have to get to the airport by 8:00 for our flight home. It will be wonderful to touch down in BC.

Transition #1

The move went smoothly - we left the hospital about 11:45 and made our way to Tracy's. Linda managed the stairs with no problem (I think she's getting stronger every day). But what a bundle of supplies we brought with us! Because we're not Alberta residents, we don't qualify for homecare here so I had to learn how to dress her wound (still a small opening in the incision) until we can get back to the wonderful mountainscape of BC. We spent the rest of the day 'at home' - Linda watched TV, I fussed around her, the pooches either sat on the floor in front of her or sat on her lap. This morning we're going to brave the shower; then have a wee rest and then maybe an afternoon movie. We'll see how it all goes. Looking forward to seeing Cath this morning!

Linda is sitting in the living room right now and says 'Hello and thank you for all the wonderful comments and wishes and I am looking forward to writing on the blog and seeing people soon.'

102 #21

Goodness - this is the last blog I'll be writing with Linda in the hospital. Tomorrow I'll bring her to Tracy's for the weekend and then Monday we'll be coming home. I have to tell you that I get weepy whenever I say or write that - just the thought of being in our own home - maybe with a fire in the living room - knowing that Linda is close by and staying close by - it's such a relief - it's all those cliches (weight off the shoulders, breathing deeper, light at the end...) rolled into one. I think we both will feel safe at home. We will need a bit of time to get settled - there are doctor appointments and homecare visits already set up and I imagine our first few days will be busier than we would like - oh, how we want to just stretch out on the couches in front of that fire! But once we are settled, we will be so happy to see people. FYI - Linda has lost a fair amount of weight - in fact, we had a day pass today and this afternoon, went to the Mall so she could get some clothes that actually fit her new body and a charming cap. Our journey is not quite over yet - Yesterday Dr Temple told us he wants Linda to have a precautionary round of chemo which will start in about a month - we don't know yet how long or what drug but we do know it will be in pill form and he has assured us that this is only a precautionary measure - initially that was bit of a shock for us but we sure don't want to go through this again so we'll do it.

We will keep writing on the blog - hopefully Linda will start adding her 2 cents worth once we get home. Writing this thing every day has kept me sane - knowing there were people out there reading and responding and caring has made such a difference during the past two+ months - thank you.

Liz and Tracy won the Linda 'Miracle' Graves Release Date Pool - and it wasn't fixed!!!!!!!

102 #20

Quite the day! The nurse removed the PICC line and the JP drain this morning without incident. Then, Linda got a day pass and didn't we drive out of the hospital parking lot with our medical supplies and a wheelchair at 10:30! She was almost giddy with excitement. When we got to Tracy's house, both Coady and Chicklet were sniffing her and circling her and trying to jump up - we laughed out loud - because it was apparent that both of the pooches knew her. Coady sat on her lap for the longest time just nuzzling her neck and giving her ear kisses. Then this afternoon, we all (L2 & C2) had a nap - can't tell you how wonderful that was - like we were all breathing easier. Anyway we stayed out a bit too late, but didn't get in trouble. Linda was looking pretty tired once we got her tucked into bed and I'm sure she'll have a great sleep tonight.

102 #19

The Cook drain came out today - sooo only one drain left in the belly. And she's practicing stairs and walking like a pro - both in the hospital and outside - very glad she got to experience some glorious Calgary fall weather. I took real clothes in yesterday and she said it felt so good to be wandering around in pants and a sweatshirt!! (although they're frightfully baggy)  Dr Temple (with a grin) asked her this morning - When do you think you should go home? And Linda's response was 'Friday'. And he said - Well that sounds possible. WHEW!!!!! We can hardly believe that we're starting to plan for our escape. We're thinking we'll stay in Calgary at Tracy's for the weekend (just to let her get her land legs) and then fly home on Monday - a week today. Cath (one of our Angels) has volunteered to drive the truck and the pooches home that day. Can you believe this part of the journey is almost over?

102 #18

It was a good thing to take a day off writing on the blog - with the passage of time, I can see that Friday was kind of  like living in and surviving a bad movie rendition of a Stephen King novel. The Resident who came at 7:00 in the morning to tell Linda that she would be released on Monday would be played by some callow youth full of his own mighty wisdom (hmm..no-one is popping into mind - any suggestions?). This sent us both into a bit of a tailspin - ?homecare, drain flushing, RT, incision wound??? Later in the morning, Dr Temple (of course played by George Clooney) reassured us that there were many things to accomplish before she'd be kicked out the front door - 1 drain has to come out and yours truly needs to be trained in the care and flushing of another drain. And the removal of the filter needed to happen - inserted months ago to stop any wretched clots from making their way to the heart and lungs - which he said was a minor procedure - probably 45 minutes. And in reality, it turned out to be a 2 1/2  hour procedure and they couldn't remove the filter (but they say it's okay to be in there). And during the time that Linda was away, I had the audacity to visit the washroom and go to get some lunch - and of course that's when the neurologist (maybe Sigourney Weaver) came to talk to me about the MRI. And just when I was going to go to the Neurology floor and track down the Doc, there was a lockdown - DooWah, DooWah - such loud ringing everywhere, no-one allowed out of the rooms - someone from the Psych Ward had escaped (for sure, John Malkovich!!) and me just praying that wherever Linda was, it wasn't close to the Psych Ward. And then - Wham - Logan (PT - played by Anne Hathaway) came and went thru a whole swack of exercises for Linda's right hand and Jelena (OT- maybe Rachel McAdam) came soon after with suggestions for stuff we'll need when we get home for the bathroom. Then Linda returned, slept for a couple of hours and woke up starving! Ate turkey, scalloped potatoes and felt 'full' - not nauseated (Hurray!!) And then the credits started playing and I went home.  Yesterday was great - worked on stair climbing, lots of walks, ate small meals with minimum of nausea, and did some puzzles - and said she felt quite good.

102 #17

Much better this morning!  Talked with the charge nurse and Dr Temple about the MRI results - both say that there should be an almost complete recovery from the cardiac arrest and subsequent brain damage. It will just take time and, by golly, we have time. We also got some training this am in how to deal with a Cook drain - just in case she still has one when we leave. Dr T. also mentioned the possibility of a couple of days passes next week before we take our final leave of the hospital. Something to look forward to!!

102 #16

Well I was asking for too much - the neurologist arrived and talked to Linda during the 23 minutes I was away from the room this afternoon - and he  told her there was damage on the left side of her brain (DUH!!) and that she may or may not recover all her abilities. No recommendations.  Hmmm...I will find and talk to him tomorrow. Linda is still having nausea and her WBC count has been trending up for the last 2 days so today was a CT scan to check for a possible abcess in the abdomen - maybe behind the stomach. But she did have some scalloped potatoes after the scan and quite enjoyed them.

102 #15

Lots of visiting with Lucille yesterday; walks in the halls; visits to the Garden Deli. Linda's been sooo happy to see her Mom.

The Neurological team arrived  Tuesday afternoon to do an assessment and ordered an MRI which was done yesterday. On Tuesday after the assessment, they said - yes damage is apparent on the right side (meaning left hemisphere) and with speech. Now we're waiting for the results from the MRI and (I hope) a comprehensive list of recommendations for rehab (am I asking for too much??)

Still having some nausea - but we're hoping that will lessen as her stomach continues to recover.

102 #14

A wee update - Dr Temple was by this morning (not to collect his winnings!!!) and said that, if things continue so well, Linda may well be leaving within a 2 week period. So if you want to revise your Linda 'Miracle' Graves Release Date guess, please do so by MIDNIGHT tonight. No changes will be accepted after that.

She had toast with peanut butter, peach yogourt, and apple juice for breakie this am.

102 #13

Quite the day - Linda's gi feeding got blocked somehow during the night and they pulled it out this afternoon and didn't replace it!!!!! We can see her face without anything in the way!! And this afternoon Dr Temple ordered the removal of the pain killer line and saline line so the IV pole is gone. It was almost weird walking down the hall with just Linda - but good weird. She's also eating - apple sauce, yogourt, soup with potatoes and carrots - and just having a wee bit of nausea. She was disappointed, though, that Texas lost the World Series - now she owes Dr Temple $.50.