Stabilizing in the ICU

Mom is improving...her BP is up and she has continued trying to eat another cracker, a bit of broth and juice. She was up in the chair again for an hour. Doctors are very pleased with the surgical wound sites, they are healing nicely.

A little about the surgery...the cancerous growth, sternum and bone that was removed was approx 14 cm x 6 cm. Abdominal wall muscles were cut and "threaded" up through to her chest wall to help cover the hole left behind after removing the cancer. They also removed an area of tissue and skin at the same spot, like a skin graft, to cover the muscle. They did not have to collapse a lung, however they did have to remove some muscle tissue, under the major pectoral muscle, which by building other muscles she will eventually be able to overcome most of the loss, all of which is truly an unexpected blessing! They did find and remove a small benign lump in her breast, which they removed as well. They checked out her lungs and surrounding tissue for any signs of cancer and found none.

It is expected that she will have a about 6 weeks of no pushing, pulling, lifting ANYTHING. A little physical therapy to help with her regaining and building muscle...soon she will be able to open a catsup bottle (something we girls have always struggled with :)

Up and Moving

Today has turned out to be quite eventful! Mom unwillingly but cooperatively was moved from her bed into a chair. This is difficult to do when "Satan" (otherwise known as Timothy another ICU RN)who is lacking in compassion, comes to fling mom out of her bed! (mom's grandson, Jake was in ICU a few years ago fondly named some of the hospital staff that worked with him Satan, hence the new name for him!) I promptly told our nurse that "Satan" was no longer allowed to be in mom's room or I would personally throw his hiney out! She was able to fight off the nausea and drink some juice, take some oral medications, and a cracker!!! She endured the chair for an hour and a half before being moved back into the bed and is now resting and trying to sleep. She was given a spirometer to exercise her lungs, help break up any pockets of fluid, and prevent pneumonia from settling in. After all her exercises she fell fast asleep. Dan has been very dutiful taking care of her and remains by her side most of the time. We expect that later today she will be moved from ICU onto the floor for regular skilled nursing.

We're moving in the right direction

Just a few minutes ago mom took her first few sips of water and juice! Her bed has been elevated to a more upright position and she is more alert and talking more :) soon we are hoping that if holds the fluids down, she can actually sit on the edge of the bed and with some physical therapy help, maybe standing later today. She is very cautiously taking small sips hoping to keep it down...nausea is NOT her friend considering all her sutures. Please continue to let people know about the blog so we can keep the good thoughts and prayers coming in on her behalf!