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Post by lindsaywhit on Jan 28, 2022 15:46:10 GMT
The good news: They let my niece in!
The not-good news: Apparently, as soon as they made the first incision, her heart stopped. It took them about five minutes to get it re-started, but they did and they don't think she'll have any issues. However, because her heart stopped, everything they did took longer/was complicated etc.
More-not-great news: They could not get everything. They also encountered things they hadn't anticipated because, you know, nobody else has ever been operated on for this issue.
More good news: My niece is with her now, and although she isn't fully awake, she's responsive and slowly waking up.
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Post by shellee on Jan 28, 2022 15:55:05 GMT
I’m so sorry Lindsay, I understand though. My brother had surgery last Friday to remove a cyst on his spine because it was going to paralyze him and he has only one leg to begin with. Well by Tuesday he was on a ventilator with double pneumonia and copd and in critical condition. Couldn’t get through to his nurse since then until this afternoon. He’s off the ventilator but has blood clots I. His lungs but “doing much better”. They can’t feed him because the food might go to his lungs. He’s very agitated according to the nurse that I spoke with so he threatened him with calling shellee,me, to beat his ass if he didn’t act better. I still don’t know if he’s going to make it or what the fuck is going on! I hate Jackson memorial! Oh Shellee, I'm so sorry. He's really getting kicked in the teeth, isn't he? It's just horrible not knowing what is going on, especially when they are in critical condition. Were they able to remove the cyst? Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. How is your sister doing, Trixie? As far as I know, they got the cyst, but getting answers is so hard!!
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Post by albatross on Jan 28, 2022 18:24:46 GMT
The good news: They let my niece in! The not-good news: Apparently, as soon as they made the first incision, her heart stopped. It took them about five minutes to get it re-started, but they did and they don't think she'll have any issues. However, because her heart stopped, everything they did took longer/was complicated etc. More-not-great news: They could not get everything. They also encountered things they had anticipated because, you know, nobody else has ever been operated on for this issue. More good news: My niece is with her now, and although she isn't fully awake, she's responsive and slowly waking up. It must be such a relief knowing she's waking up, and she has someone with her.
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Post by notoriousmkg on Jan 28, 2022 22:30:46 GMT
Thx, Chalet. Our son wants to be a software engineer. I wonder if he will stick with that, though. I think our daughter wants to work for an animation studio. Wherever our son goes, I hope it's not too far from our daughter. She adores him and would be really, really hurt if he were in some far off place from where she goes to school. Hmm... might that place be San Francisco-y, Silicon Vally, Pixar-y kinda locations? A Rave - Mo, do you remember Linda Purl? If so I'll post why. Didn't she play Richie Cunningham's gf? Rave - my company won a $12 Million contract today. Rant - I'm still here at work. And it's snowing.....
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Post by beeyotch on Jan 29, 2022 17:36:28 GMT
Lindsay, I truly hope everything turns out well with your sister. I'd also hang on to the positive that they are doing this slowly and carefully. I agree that most healing happens during sleep, and is a good way to avoid any pain she might feel on waking up. You must be so worried, and it's totally understandable.
You too, Shelly, I'm sorry your brother is in the hospital. It would drive anyone nuts not to know more of what's going on. I've only been in Jackson to deliver Jimmy, but I chose them because they had the best NICU in the area, so hopefully their being a large hospital translates to having the best in your brother's care too.
Almost forgot, my lasik happened yesterday and I can see! Actually I had quite a bit of pain for like 3 hours after surgery--like someone was rubbing chopped onions right into my eyes constantly. Burning and tearing, sensitivity to light so bad I couldn't open my eyes even in a blacked out room. All "normal" as the post-op info said but damn I got scared for a second. No wonder they wanted me to go straight to bed immediately. I took Advil PM but I take too long to go to sleep unless it's general anesthesia, so yay for me.
Better now, and I got these cool retiree-looking Blu-blocker sunglasses to wear. I'm shopping for nice sunglasses immediately.
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Post by kittylady on Jan 30, 2022 0:10:24 GMT
Big hugs and best wishes to everyone with sick family right now. 2022 is really slamming everyone hard.
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trixie
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stuck in the middle with you...
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Post by trixie on Jan 30, 2022 2:54:56 GMT
oh shellee, I'm so sorry. Seems like a few of us are going through major stress with loved ones illnesses lately. I'm hoping for the best for your brother, and you. eta: Lindsay, I agree with others, what you heard from your niece isn't necessarily bad news. It is hopeful news. Your sister just went through a LOT and most likely needs the rest. I'm relatively sure this is just to help in the healing process. Hang in there. Thanks Trixie❤️ I’ve been so stressed lately, but what about your sister? How’s she doing? I’m so sorry Lindsay, I understand though. My brother had surgery last Friday to remove a cyst on his spine because it was going to paralyze him and he has only one leg to begin with. Well by Tuesday he was on a ventilator with double pneumonia and copd and in critical condition. Couldn’t get through to his nurse since then until this afternoon. He’s off the ventilator but has blood clots I. His lungs but “doing much better”. They can’t feed him because the food might go to his lungs. He’s very agitated according to the nurse that I spoke with so he threatened him with calling shellee,me, to beat his ass if he didn’t act better. I still don’t know if he’s going to make it or what the fuck is going on! I hate Jackson memorial! Oh Shellee, I'm so sorry. He's really getting kicked in the teeth, isn't he? It's just horrible not knowing what is going on, especially when they are in critical condition. Were they able to remove the cyst? Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. How is your sister doing, Trixie? She's doing relatively well, better than I expected so far. Next week is #5 in a series of 12 chemo sessions scheduled every two weeks. Some minor nausea issues and some minor weight loss but other than that, she seems to be doing ok. So, just in that holding pattern of "wait and see". Ya know, like Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part. Thanks for asking, and I'm hoping for strength for all of us. It ain't easy.
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Post by lindsaywhit on Jan 30, 2022 6:05:35 GMT
^^^Well that's hopeful - waiting is the worst, but it sounds like she's getting through it as best as she can.
My news is hopeful too. She's apparently not lucid enough for phone calls, but she's sitting up and even walking around a little. They wanted to get her moving more, but her blood pressure was low, so they are taking it slow.
They got out a big portion of the clot and the scar tissue. The big surprises were her heart immediately stopping with the first incision, which meant they had to crack her open asap, and the extent of the damage to arteries, tissue, etc. There was a lot of damage, making her ability to walk, talk, or, you know...live... just as much of a mystery as it was before. They're going to be studying her history, her surgery, for answers, but I got the impression those answers aren't going to be quick or easy to figure out.
They did get the repairs done, and much of the clot & scar tissue, and they feel very positive about the outlook. I'm just so happy my niece can be with her.
Thanks again, everyone, for your prayers, good thoughts, and good wishes. It really, really, helped. I'll keep you updated.
Shellee, any more news on your brother?
eta: They had to replace part of a valve, so they used a cow valve, and my sister is tickled silly that she has a cow valve, and occasionally moos just for her own amusement. (Still on the good drugs, apparently.)
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Post by mostroop on Jan 30, 2022 13:34:16 GMT
Lindsaywhit, Your sister is a hoot! Keep the good drugs flowing.
Trixie, I'm glad for the good report.
Shellee, I hope your brother is improving too
This is just the 1st month of the year, 2022 better improve!
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trixie
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stuck in the middle with you...
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Post by trixie on Jan 30, 2022 19:05:41 GMT
eta: They had to replace part of a valve, so they used a cow valve, and my sister is tickled silly that she has a cow valve, and occasionally moos just for her own amusement. (Still on the good drugs, apparently.) That's funny. It made me remember this guy I used to work with who had some congenital heart issue and had surgery. They used a pig valve. Afterwards, he would sometimes walk around the office with a little dixie cup with 2 holes in it covering his nose, making snorting and oinking sounds.
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Post by shellee on Jan 31, 2022 3:00:54 GMT
Thanks guys. I still don’t know anything more nor does his girlfriend. I actually got through to his nurse today and she said “he’s okay” and took my number for the doctor to call me and let me know what’s up. No call from the doctor. This is such bullshit. I’m almost ready to call my trump loving, would have stormed the capital brother, that I don’t speak to, to call them. He’s enough of an asshole that he’d probably get answers.
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trixie
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stuck in the middle with you...
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Post by trixie on Jan 31, 2022 4:45:20 GMT
That sucks, Shellee. It was difficult getting info when my sister was in the hospital too. They give the patients a code number and they would only talk to you if you had the code. Once, I got lucky and was in the room when the doctor showed up so I was able to talk to him. Even then, he didn't tell me they found cancer. That came from my sister, and she was in ICU and not entirely lucid. Tony and I just looked at each other and said "whaaa?" Later I was able to talk to a nurse who confirmed it but said he really couldn't say any more. So we went through a time where we really didn't know what the hell was going on. I ended up going to a legal website and printing up medical power of attorney and a living will for her. Took the papers to the hospital and had them scanned into her records. I wanted to make sure I could make decisions for her in case she couldn't make them for herself. With HIPAA, they are very careful about releasing patient info.
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Post by shellee on Jan 31, 2022 18:37:39 GMT
Thanks Trixie. You did the right thing with the living will.
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Post by lindsaywhit on Feb 1, 2022 4:50:54 GMT
Jeez, Shellee, I'm so sorry you are hitting a brick wall on this. Is his girlfriend allowed to visit him?
I have great news because I talked to my sister!!! We've all been leaving texts, gifs, etc., on her phone - my niece then goes through them with her. Anyway, I pressed "call" by mistake, and even though I quickly hung up and then sent the text she called me back! We talked for literally less than two minutes because apparently recovery from open-heart surgery is not for sissies.
She is up and walking around and her amazing daughter is with her every step of the way - counting her steps, encouraging her, etc., etc. You know, I am deeply, deeply thankful that they allowed my niece to be with her because it's hard enough - she's exhausted and her mood is all over the place - it's hard enough to do this with an enthusiastic and loving coach. I can't imagine facing these tremendous physical and mental challenges alone. Also, the doctors, nurses, and other professionals on staff have been fantastic, but not allowing any visitors must put an enormous extra burden on them.
Anyway, it was so good to hear her voice - and here's the best part: Even though she is exhausted she sounded like herself again! The heavy, ragged breathing that she was struggling with the last week before the surgery is gone! I can't begin to tell you how marvelous and obvious the difference is. Even though she was tired! Tired is good, tired is fine, we'll take it. (Dancing a happy jig!)
eta: Trixie, getting that POA is so important. I just talked to my kids about this today, because God forbid something happens to me, legally their father is still my next of kin since we are still married. So I'm going to take care of that this week. Does anyone have any insight into the best way to do that? Do I use just one of them? Can I give all three of them POA? I'm inclined to go with the son who lives close, but then I think, no, my daughter knows me best, and then I think my oldest is so brilliant and caring and always researches the issues I deal with, and knows exactly what I should be doing, etc. The problem is that he is autistic (high functioning) and sometimes, bless his heart, he skews off somewhere in his brain and starts to hyper-focus on one little detail, and communication becomes problematic. To be completely honest he would drive the other two around the bend. Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated.
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Post by mostroop on Feb 1, 2022 5:47:41 GMT
My mother in law put 1 daughter and my DH as durable POAs. This gives them medical and financial control. DH defers to sis because MIL lives with her, then her defers to me (lol), but the important thing is that they work together and he is there if SIL needs help. Sis 2 has NO say. You can have multiple POAs they just have to be on the same page, and be willing to work together
What a great report. I know you have to be relieved and I know your sister was happy to be able to speak with you 💖
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