Today was a much better day. I woke up feeling much better, partly I am sure, from having been able to sleep last night and not taking any of the strong pain medications. Throughout the last 2 days I have been able to control the pain with only taking Tylenol. This is a huge relief. Certainly I feel like I had surgery. I am not moving very fast, my knee is wrapped and does not feel stable yet. However, the pain is very manageable and I don't think much more than the pain I have been living with for the past 6 weeks. I am moving very slowly and being carefully. My knee does not feel stable yet. I can't tell you how relieved to be feeling as well as I am though. The first day I really wondered if I had made the right decision to have the surgery. It will take some time to know if I did the right thing, but for now, I am doing better and I think I made the right decision. Certainly this was much more manageable than a knee replacement and hopefully it will be enough.
My sister Kate took me in to spend the full day with Doug. We were both glad to see each other. Each of us worrying for the other, but both of us so glad for the people who have cared for us. Doug caught me up on the companions he had while I was away and I caught him up on the details of the surgery. The staff at Vibra were great. They were concerned about me and helped Doug with the things that I normally might have done. Ingrid and Jerry came by to check on Doug, just in case I had not made it over. We had a lovely visit with them and we thanked Ingrid for scheduling people to stay with Doug while I was away.
Doug continues to make progress, even though it seems so slow to him which is completely understandable. The nurse practitioner met with me as I was walking in the hospital and immediately wanted to talk to me about putting a peg in Doug's stomach for feeding. I told her that I wanted to talk to the SLP and Doug and observe him eating today before we make any decisions. Doug really does not want the procedure. He feels he is ready to eat. We talked to his SLP and I watched him eating lunch. His SLP agreed with us and does believe that Doug should move forward with eating 3 meals a day and can now take small drinks of water. He is still recommending pureed food for now and Doug is not liking the hospital food. We are going to work on some alternativ foods that are more naturally the texture of puree. Having said that he still did pretty well eating half his lunch and dinner even though he did not like the food. I have to say, I tasted the green beans and they did not taste anything like green beans and ice tea with thickening is really disgusting. The SLP said he would talk to the nurse practitioner and let her know we are going to move forward with eating meals and not consider the peg at this time. We were so relieved and glad to have his support. I have worked with kids with swallowing problems for years and I have to say I really do think Doug will be fine. I think the will be ready for chewing soon. He does fine with chewing ice and his swallow is much stronger.
Tomorrow he is going to try to stand in a standing frame. This will give him the opportunity to practice bearing weight which will be good for him to gain strength and balance and for his body to be in a standing position. He is looking forward to this.
Ingrid is hoping she might get some more calls from folks who could stay with Doug when I go back to work. Next week, I will work on Wednesday and then the following week all day Monday and Tuesday and half day on Wednesday. Doug so enjoyed having the company this week. I know one day he will be able move more on his own but for the next few weeks we would love some help. And so if you would be willing to sit with Doug for a few hours we would be so grateful. I so appreciate Ingrid doing this scheduling for me. You may contact her at: 208-867-8351
And so we pray:
God of Light and Love, we give you thanks for the angels who sit with us, encourage us and support us. We give you thanks for hope that is offered through prayers, kind words and listening hearts and ears. Help us to see your work in our healing, knowing that some days will be harder than others, but that you are always with us. God of light, the journey is long and arduous, we give thanks for those who will journey with us and support us, in their companionship and help and in their willingness to help us in making the best decisions for continued healing. Amen
I so thankful that he can start chewing and not have the peg. I pray for you,Eileen,that you do not over exert yourself. I will call Ingrid and set up a date. It is a long journey, but God is with you .
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