New Update: Once Theresa arrived on M40 it was time to get down to the business of healing. She was hooked up to heart monitors, Foley catheters, epidurals, IVs, chest tubes, pulse ox monitor, and oxygen... First order of business was getting her pain under control since her epidural was not working. She was on a combination of oral and IV pain meds before the end of the first shift. Next was getting her lungs cleared so she could breathe without the oxygen. During surgery that had to deflate one of her lungs. This along with usual post-anesthesia gunk caused some challenges. Lets face it, coughing is not the most comfortable thing when the right front and back left side of your body have been cut into and your epidural isnt working. Still, she took the task of using the incentive spirometer quite seriously when we explained the risks of developing pneumonia. Soon the oxygen was gone. Then it was the chest tube we had to worry about. They had discovered some Chylous fluid in her chest during the second surgery so it was imperative that we figure out if it was still leaking into the cavity. Once we were sure it had all been drained and she was on the safe side the chest tube was removed. This led to getting rid of the epidural which allowed her to get rid of the pulse ox and the Foley catheter. She was up and moving around as quickly as possible. Then it was time to get the pain under control with just oral pain meds. Once this was accomplished she was able to get her IV out and she was discharged to the Ronald McDonald House on the Cleveland Clinic campus. All of her surgeons, residents, doctors, nurses, PCNAs, housekeepers, nutrition services coordinators, etc. stopped by to see her before she was discharged. She had touched so many lives in her two weeks 10 days in Cleveland. From the surgeon who suddenly took the time to laugh, get to know his patients, and listen to their stories to the housekeeper who brought Theresa flowers and stayed for a chat about college and encouraging her own daughter to continue her education despite becoming a mother herself... Lives were changed. The journey was full of ups and downs. There were a lot of scary moments and some really frustrating ones (who will ever forget the roommate from hell). I have to believe that God had a plan and a purpose in having Theresa at Cleveland Clinic. It was exciting as a Mom to watch her find her voice and advocate for herself. It was rewarding to see her take the time to thank everyone from the medical staff, to transportation, to housekeeping, to nutrition services, to valets, to volunteers at RMH, to parking lot attendants for their help with complete sincerity. It was exciting to hear her talk about her faith with those who came to visit and the entire staff and to see them transformed by her steadfastness. Theresa is our oldest child and as such has been the guinea pig for our parenting skills, but I have to say, from what I have seen these past two weeks alone, Rob and I have done a great job raising a beautiful young lady who is going to change the world!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 04:39:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015