Sorry for not getting anything in the blog after yesterday morning. The power went out last night around 7:30 p.m. or so (we think a substation caught on fire and a lot of people had no power) and did not come back on until 3:30 a.m.
Yesterday was a difficult and strange day. Tracy woke up dizzy and felt bad most of the day. About 3:00 p.m. or so she perked up, seemed to feel better and was more interactive and alert. Then maybe after 6:30 p.m. or so she crashed and felt bad again, saying she hurt all over. The power went off, which meant we had no water, so we were pretty well shut down for the night. We used what water was left in our well to brush teeth, etc and eventually went to bed, though it was late because Tracy did not feel well enough to move around a lot. After some pain medicine at 2:20 a.m. we moved back into the living room about 3:30 a.m. so she could lay in the recliner. She felt like she would be more comfortable there. She slept there seemingly well enough. That may be what we have to do. Her head hurts a lot right now. Our guess is that her body is coming awake, so-to-speak, to all that has been done to it as well as the inactivity, which keeps the rest of us lubed up and functioning.
In answer to the questions about facial paralysis, the doctor said it would take weeks, if not months, for function to return. It is common and expected to occur in surgeries of this nature and they are actually not concerned about it for now. The biggest part of the maintenance, because of this, is her right eye, which does not produce tears. We put eye drops in often during the day. At night a lubricant is put in the eye and we tape it closed. She is swallowing well enough, but cannot yet tolerate crunchy, hard, grainy stuff, like a breakfast bar. She did eat some apple with her chicken salad yesterday and had some rice flour toast with her homemade tomato soup, so she is doing well.
We trudge on. Talk to you again soon.
Jeff
5 comments:
Ha!Ha! No excuse! You could have written your blog after you got your housework and nursing tasks...oh, and maybe dinner, out of the way, and sent it by carrier pigeon to someone's house whose power wasn't out! Just kidding, of course....(I think!) I figured you'd get some good comments after reading your "housework" blog!
Please tell Tracy hi, and remember Jeff - the concept of the "super woman" is a myth. Do the best you can, and don't sweat the rest of it. And when people ask if they can help, LET THEM! Cleaning, shopping, taking kids to school, etc. Even if things don't get done exactly as you and Tracy normally would. It's truly an enlightening experience. Take care, Laurel A.
Sorry to hear yesterday was a little rough. I am sure that each day will be better and better. I thought about you guys last night when the electrcity was out. It was out at my house too. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers every day.
xoxoxox
Kim J
The recliner may be the right spot for Tracy to sleep with her head elevated a little more. If she's longing for the bed with real sheets & covers, could you try elevating the head by propping up that part of the frame or matress?
. . . just a thought. With love & prayer--SandyB
PS The substation transformer was right down 290 across from Winkelmann Village. Power was out everywhere east of that point plus other spots in Brenham as well. The Night The Lights Went Out In [Georgia] Chappell Hill! Who got kicked off American Idol??? Top Chef????
The nurse says it's time to start moving around and begin doing simple ADLs (activities of daily living). Get dressed every morning. Take a short walk outside, do an easy jigsaw puzzle, fix yourself a snack. Get out of the chair every hour and walk through the house five times before sitting down again. Do some simple arm exercises and leg lifts. Yes, you'll feel sore and tired, but the next day will be better and the next even more so. Remember how muscles protest getting back into action when you've been lazy. The more you move, the faster you'll recover. Nothing wrong with a couple of naps a day. You've got to remind your body that you're healing and it needs to act like it. Love, Su
Jeff,
I wonder if your medical insurance would cover the cost of a hospital bed in your home. When my dad was sick his doctor wrote a request for one. The supply company brought it to the house, set it up, and a few months later came to get it. Just another thought.
You are hitting the difficult days of drudgery, so don't forget to take time off for yourself. Now you know why moms like bubble baths so much!
Tell your sweet wife I love her and continue to pray for you all many times daily.
Susan (TL)
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