Sunday

Day started out terrible. Bec was in so much pain with the headache and of course backache. but it's more than just the back. It's the hips, the but, the legs etc. We called the surgeon. He explained about the tylenol that was or wasn't in each of the meds. And how it could be affecting the headache. He limited her intake of tylenol because anything over 3000 mgs can cause liver damage. So after getting the meds in sync I think she had a better day. She did sleep alot and that always helps. She also ate some real food and some nachos for a snack. Not much but it's a start. Dinner time the kids arrived. It was a great reunion. Bec came down and ate with us and went on her short walk outside with the kiddies. Then it was back in bed and the kids went home with daddy. Nighty night.

Meds

Becky has been fighting severe headaches. So much so that she isn't able to open her eyes and cries in pain. We've still been trying the coffee, sometimes working sometimes not. We've been trying Tylenol again working some of the time but not as effective as the coffee. Then she had an idea for me to rush home and get her Vicadin. She recalls getting headaches pre surgery when she would take a break from them at home. So trusting ourselves that this would be ok and making a physicians decision she tried the Vicadin and I thought it seemed to help. She thought so too and then later in the day she decided they didn't help and went back on the Oxycoden. But again later in the evening she again said they did help. THis is part of the confusion from the medication. Sometimes she says something and then says she thought she dreamt it. Confused like when she was talking to Shawn on the phone from the hospital she told him she didn't have prostate cancer. Well we have to keep some humor in this story....leave it to Becky.

Bec's first full day out of the hospital

Saturday morning had me and Shawn hoppin'. We had now become the sole caregivers, no more nurses. I must admit it is a challenge at times. The medication messes with Becky's brain and her need for care is constant. Grandma Kaebisch arrived around 11 and bless her soul she was such a big help. From doing laundry to reading to Becky it was great to have her here. I just felt bad that she had to go up and down the stairs so much. By afternoon Becky had settled down. In the morn she had been stubborn and feisty and she went down the stairs a few times too many. We told her she has just one chance to make her back better and that we were all here to help and guide her to do the right thing. Most definitely going up and down the stairs was not the right thing but in her medicated mind she tredged on without concern over our cautions. I guess the good thing about it is that she WAS able to climb stairs just 4 days after surgery. She also demanded we drive her out to Hartford to see the kids. Then in the afternoon another boost of stubbornness and she went for a little walk down the sidewalk. Again this is great and I admire her determination but I think baby steps would have been preferable over giant steps. Midafternoon she had some company, Kayla, Char and Clancy. She was very hospitable and had a fun time. She was glad to make up from her visit with Char in the hospital that she slept thru! Becky did have one mishap and that was a trip on the area rug in our bedroom that she tripped on while no one was in the room with her. Luckily she had her walker and was able to catch herself but it wasn't comfortable to say the least. She's like a fragile little China doll. She can't be left alone. After some comforting naps she finally ate alittle late in the evening. After saying goodby to sister Ellie, Becky settled in her nest of pillows for what hopefully would be a peaceful sleep.

Friday night, 11 pm

We're home. But it wasn't an easy day. Everything was scheduled for release but then the Surgeon assistant Kristen found out Bec was having some internal problems and extreme headaches and ordered a catscan. She seemed very concerned and talked about spinal fluid leaks. The catscan was torture for Becky. I was allowed in but had to leave it was difficult to watch and nothing I could do to help. Then the long wait. The scan was sent to a different surgeon and he looked at them on his computer. They showed no leakage and everything was nice and tidy where it should be. After some some discussion the nurse thought maybe the headaches were from caffeine withdrawal but they seemed just too severe for that to me. But we got Becky an iced coffee and it wasn't long before the headache subsided. The headaches have returned since but we'll hope that she just needs a cup of joe. The other issue remains unresolved. They're hoping it will just get back to normal with time. But at least the fear of the spinal fluid leakage was gone and thank God since that would have meant going back into surgery.
The assistant was also concerned about the amount of meds Becky was taking. She said it was enough for a 300lb man. This has been the struggle the whole time, getting the right meds to work for her yet cutting down. Now that we're home, we have no choice but to tough it out. Toughing it out being an understatement.
So after some medication adjustments, physical therapy, lots of packing and hugs and goodbys we were in the car at 5:30, rush hour, heading home.
Becky settled in to her new rehab home, Majesa Hills. Kiddies are vacationing at the Hartford Azoffs. Ellie and Ben here to help, Ben making an emergency run for tylenol for the extreme headaches and Ellie doing the grocery shopping for Bec's special foods. Shawn and I were the nurses. We thought she was doing ok and really sustained the drive home but then had some really bad episodes of pain. I think it's just a matter of us getting a balance on the narcotics. Oxycotin and Oxycoden. Hoping for a better tomorrow.

Up and at 'em

Still mom writing posts. I'm thinking maybe tomorrow Becky will be able to write something. She had a good night and last trip to the bathroom she didn't even wake me up to help. Go BEC!! She has such determination. We took a picture a little bit ago. I want her to see it tho before I post it. Right now she's getting some good zzz's. Her body needs the sleeptime to repair those damaged cells etc. So things are looking up finally. We're waiting for a doctor visit to give the release orders. Could be here yet till the afternoon. Becky has been very "feisty" this morning, kind of like the day of the surgery. I told her she's like a grouchy old lady. I can handle it.

It's back!

Well the IV is back. Had two doses of the IV meds today, but they said the one at 7pm would be the last so she can go home tomorrow. She was pretty out of it tonight. Slept right thru Brian & Chars visit. Sleeping now. Good night.!

One step forward, One step back

Pain medication changed. Pain level a 9. yikes, can she have the I V meds back???

NO, not if she wants to go home tomorrow.