Charlotte's Journey: Post-op Day Three

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Post-op Day Three

Day three, sheww it has started out terrible!!! I was so looking foreword to coming to the floor, but sleeping on what ever they call this thing is miserable, not to mention that the nurse came in the room every hour last night. Charlotte's O2 level dropped during the night and had to be put back on O2:( Then meds every 4 hours and vitals every 4 hours. I just wish that those 4 hours were the same 4 hours. Then at 5:30 this morning x-ray showed up, then at 8 a.m. the lab showed up. Then after the lab ordeal, the nurse realized the IV wasn't working anymore and had to go through another IV again. Torture, pure and simple torture. One good thing is that the O2 was taken off and Dr. Bradley came by and removed the small chest tube and pacing wires. It was torture as well, but at least with the chest tube, the nurse gave her some morphine to help with the pain.

This afternoon, after the chest tube, x-ray came back and so did Echo. The x-ray shows a small plural effusion on the right side of Charlotte's chest, but the echo was good. So with the effusion, she has to have O2 AGAIN and I have to get her out of the bed. It's hard to get her up when she is attached to things that don't give her room to get up!! After talking with the nurse, we have decided to get her up this evening and sit in a chair and blow bubbles, maybe even take a walk around the unit.

So I FINALLY got her to let me put on some jammies, she really didn't want to, but seeing as we are going out of the room, she needs something on! Bless her heart, she has been sweating like a mule and I know that is why she didn't want them on, but Meme has worked so hard on these jammies for her, I hate to not wear them. Charlotte is not a happy camper, but we are getting her up for a walk to see how it goes. As I expected, not so well. She cried the whole time she was out of the bed, even while in the wheel chair. I hate to see her upset, but I know it's for the best. She has to get rid of the fluid on the right side of her chest or we don't get to go home:( After the outing, the nurse gave Charlotte some pain meds and she was like a different child, all smiles and sitting up in the bed playing with daddy. That's the Charlotte I know and miss and can't wait til she is back 100%!!!

1 comment:

AnonymousMay 14, 2012 at 2:58 PM
May the Lord give you what you need to be the Mom that Charlotte needs. Praying for you all :) Love you!
Tina B.
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Heart Poem

It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you". He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that he is just going for a visit. He is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says, "I guess that will work". But the little angel is still a little scared. He asks,"Will I be okay with only half of my heart?" Jesus replies,"Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the angel more details about his plan. He says "When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart". "Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday." "And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves."

THE CHOSEN MOTHERS BY ERMA BOMBECK

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothes of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrog, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps- "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occasionally. she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted, She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see.... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow her to rise above them. "She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."