Has been fabulous. I've spent much of it with Mark, grilling ribeye's one evening and pork chops the next.... On Saturday evening we had friends over to play euchre. Neither of us had played in probably 20 years but it all came back to us and it was tons of fun. Girls beat the guys which made it even better : )
The "lovely" central IL weather has not cooperated a whole lot. Saturday was a wash. Yesterday wasn't too bad. We did ride his Harley to Champaign for lunch & were able to sit outside. From there we went to Ashley Furniture and ordered a sectional for his house. But riding back towards Leroy, there were clouds all around.... Thankfully it never rained on us but a cold front came through and it got COLD. This morning is bright and sunny though, so we plan to ride again : )
I'm still on antibiotics, but all signs of infection are gone! Sabrina rode down to the doctors (in Springfield) with me on Thursday. The only concern has been that the infection wore one spot of my skin thin - and it's right where the corner of one tissue expander sits. Her concern is that it may end up poking through (no!) We do have a plan B though, if that should happen. They went ahead and gave me saline in both sides & everything is still fine. I will call them on Tuesday and make an appointment to have my stitches out later this week.
Thanks to all of those who serve - and remembering those we miss -
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
I am home : )
Drove myself home today : )
Yes, I am rather independent.
But that was a-ok with the nursing staff; there was no reason for me not to. I really felt fine the whole time I was hospitalized.... sure, a little sore the day of & after surgery, but other than that I was just killin' time while the antibiotics killed the infection!
The immediate culture was negative - and nothing has grown in the petri dish since - so that's all good news. I was sent home on oral antibiotics and my only restriction is not to lift more than ten pounds, especially with my left arm
Not a problem!
I've taken a bath and washed my hair (can't shower because I have a drain in) but feel 1000 times better already! Going to Mark's daughters for dinner and to sit outside in the fresh air for awhile.
Ahh..... it's good to be home!
Yes, I am rather independent.
But that was a-ok with the nursing staff; there was no reason for me not to. I really felt fine the whole time I was hospitalized.... sure, a little sore the day of & after surgery, but other than that I was just killin' time while the antibiotics killed the infection!
The immediate culture was negative - and nothing has grown in the petri dish since - so that's all good news. I was sent home on oral antibiotics and my only restriction is not to lift more than ten pounds, especially with my left arm
Not a problem!
I've taken a bath and washed my hair (can't shower because I have a drain in) but feel 1000 times better already! Going to Mark's daughters for dinner and to sit outside in the fresh air for awhile.
Ahh..... it's good to be home!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
doing fine ~
They actually took me down for surgery around noon - earlier than scheduled! Of course that meant that Mark hadn't gotten here yet :( but I made some quick phone calls, gathered my thoughts and was ready to go.
Surgery took just over two hours I think. Left side of my chest hurt like 'hello' when I woke up in recovery. I've been told that everything went well and they've sent samples to the lab to pinpoint what type of infection we're dealing with.
The doctor did put in another expander. Don't know how long I'll be here. Thanks for your love and support!
Surgery took just over two hours I think. Left side of my chest hurt like 'hello' when I woke up in recovery. I've been told that everything went well and they've sent samples to the lab to pinpoint what type of infection we're dealing with.
The doctor did put in another expander. Don't know how long I'll be here. Thanks for your love and support!
do-over
I am scheduled for surgery this afternoon at 2:45. Will have one (the left) tissue expander removed, all of the infection cleaned out, and a new expander put in.
Let's hope, pray and believe that this is a success!
Let's hope, pray and believe that this is a success!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
well shucks :(
The "sort of a rash" that I'd mentioned last week, did not respond to the oral antibiotics they prescribed. I went back to the doctor yesterday (one week later) and saw my own plastic surgeon (she had been gone the week before). She immediately said I'd need to be admitted to the hospital & receive a stronger IV antibiotic for the infection. So I moved my car to the other lot and walked myself right into the hospital yesterday afternoon : )
Thankfully my phone had enough charge on it to notify those that need be, right away..... Then after work, Jeremiah gathered all of my necessities and Mark brought them over last evening. I can only have the antibiotic every 12 hours, so I got the first dose just after 1:00 yesterday and within half an hour I was itching and turning red - yikes! Come to find out it's probably not an allergic reaction, but something that's called Red Man Syndrome and is associated with this Vancomycin (antibiotic). They gave me Benadryl right away which seemed to help a bit. So for my 1 a.m. dose, I got another dose of Benadryl and then a slower infusion of the meds. I either had less of a reaction this time, or I slept through it!
When the resident doctor came in to see me last night, she asked me not to eat before she saw me at 6 this morning..... that if I wasn't better, they'd put me on the surgery schedule to have one tissue expander removed :( Thankfully when she looked this morning, she said "It mayyyyyy be a bit better (?)" and certainly wasn't any worse. I asked if they might give it another day (figuring I'd only had two doses of the heavy duty / butt kicking / super antibiotic) and she said yes, they'd do that.
Whew!
They guaranteed me I'd be here a minimum of three days, regardless .....
So let's just hope this medicine does its work and I can keep this expander!
Thanks for all prayers and well-wishes, and I will keep ya posted on the latest.
Thankfully my phone had enough charge on it to notify those that need be, right away..... Then after work, Jeremiah gathered all of my necessities and Mark brought them over last evening. I can only have the antibiotic every 12 hours, so I got the first dose just after 1:00 yesterday and within half an hour I was itching and turning red - yikes! Come to find out it's probably not an allergic reaction, but something that's called Red Man Syndrome and is associated with this Vancomycin (antibiotic). They gave me Benadryl right away which seemed to help a bit. So for my 1 a.m. dose, I got another dose of Benadryl and then a slower infusion of the meds. I either had less of a reaction this time, or I slept through it!
When the resident doctor came in to see me last night, she asked me not to eat before she saw me at 6 this morning..... that if I wasn't better, they'd put me on the surgery schedule to have one tissue expander removed :( Thankfully when she looked this morning, she said "It mayyyyyy be a bit better (?)" and certainly wasn't any worse. I asked if they might give it another day (figuring I'd only had two doses of the heavy duty / butt kicking / super antibiotic) and she said yes, they'd do that.
Whew!
They guaranteed me I'd be here a minimum of three days, regardless .....
So let's just hope this medicine does its work and I can keep this expander!
Thanks for all prayers and well-wishes, and I will keep ya posted on the latest.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
wayyyyyy overdue for writing!
But just wanted to let ya'll know I'm alive and well here in cloudy, windy, cool and grey Illinois :(
Yeah - yuck! Makes me wanna go back to FL!
Our vacation / celebration was awesome! A fantastic time, beautiful weather, great people, good food and an amazing party.... I will post pictures here soon (promise).
Have been busy with domestic duties since I got home a week ago. Just the typical everyday stuff. Have spent as much time as I can with Mark : ) and restocking groceries after having left a 19/year old at home alone for ten days!
I've developed sort of a rash on my chest - just redness though - it's odd. Went to the doctor last Tuesday and they put me on an antibiotic for it. It's not gone away, but isn't any worse either. I have an appointment to go back this Tuesday anyway. Hopefully for a fill (if they'll do so with this going on).
I don't think I posted that I've begun helping my friend Sabrina with her photography work (?) I do lighting and really enjoy it; fun to spend time with Sabrina as well.
It was an adjustment being back home (from Sanibel) having been in the land of sunshine and surrounded by friends and family for ten days straight.... definitely an adjustment being home alone again but I'm getting back in the groove. Well ok, Jeremiah is here sometimes & that does help. He's starting a new job tomorrow - so best wishes to him on that!
More later ~
Yeah - yuck! Makes me wanna go back to FL!
Our vacation / celebration was awesome! A fantastic time, beautiful weather, great people, good food and an amazing party.... I will post pictures here soon (promise).
Have been busy with domestic duties since I got home a week ago. Just the typical everyday stuff. Have spent as much time as I can with Mark : ) and restocking groceries after having left a 19/year old at home alone for ten days!
I've developed sort of a rash on my chest - just redness though - it's odd. Went to the doctor last Tuesday and they put me on an antibiotic for it. It's not gone away, but isn't any worse either. I have an appointment to go back this Tuesday anyway. Hopefully for a fill (if they'll do so with this going on).
I don't think I posted that I've begun helping my friend Sabrina with her photography work (?) I do lighting and really enjoy it; fun to spend time with Sabrina as well.
It was an adjustment being back home (from Sanibel) having been in the land of sunshine and surrounded by friends and family for ten days straight.... definitely an adjustment being home alone again but I'm getting back in the groove. Well ok, Jeremiah is here sometimes & that does help. He's starting a new job tomorrow - so best wishes to him on that!
More later ~
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