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.