Home. Ish.
Mom's finally home. I know it's only two days after the surgery, but there'd been some hopeful expectation that it would be an in and out sort of thing, that she'd have been home yesterday, and even then only so late because the doctor insisted she stay overnight. Wednesday, we were at the hospital at about 10am. Surgery was scheduled for noon. We sat back in the prep area until 12.30pm before the doctor and anesthesiologist stopped by. But then it was only ten minutes till she was on her way. The doctor told me to expect two hours in surgery and an hour in recovery. As we were getting onto 3, 3.30... I was certainly getting worried. The doctor finally came out around 4.40 to let me know that the surgery "took a little longer than expected." He said it went well, though, but that she would need to be out of work for two to three months. Anyone who knows my mom knows how inconceivable this is. Helping her stay away and take it easy will be no small task. He said I should expect the recovery to take "an hour or so." A volunteer came around later, while Debbie (mom's best friend) was sitting with me, to explain that recovery more frequently takes two to three hours. The recovery nurse was very nice and kept me updated via phone. They had a very difficult time getting the pain under control. It was well after eight before she was admitted and in her own room and we were able to see her.
It was actually scary. This was only shoulder surgery, but she was sheet-white because of all the pain she was in. She was on so much morphine that she was just out of it. When she'd doze off, she still was hitting the button which lights up every six minutes to give her more.
We visited twice yesterday, once bringing her a rootbeer float. Today, though, she's finally home, settled in her own space and watching BBC America. That feels good, for me at least, and quite likely for her.
It's been very difficult seeing the most competent, capable person in my life unable to take care of herself, feeling so depressed and helpless, but today's looking better.
I think I might go home too. It's been a long week, between work and hospital stuff. I know Justin's disappointed to not be going to Jim and Tiff's halloween party, and so am I, but I can't handle more travel and people right now. I need my own space either today or tomorrow.
I need my Justin. I *miss* him. A lot. A lot a lot. Just being near him makes everything easier, better. Mind you, Eric and Carrie are magnificent, and they've both been great over the past few days. Carrie's an awesome cook. Even her leftovers rock. Eric and I played some Fable 2 in co-op, which was neat, and I got him started on WoW. Even so, there's no substitute for a Justin. He's on his way right now. We were supposed to be hitting the road soon, but I think we'll chill here for a bit then head home.
Home sounds good.
It was actually scary. This was only shoulder surgery, but she was sheet-white because of all the pain she was in. She was on so much morphine that she was just out of it. When she'd doze off, she still was hitting the button which lights up every six minutes to give her more.
We visited twice yesterday, once bringing her a rootbeer float. Today, though, she's finally home, settled in her own space and watching BBC America. That feels good, for me at least, and quite likely for her.
It's been very difficult seeing the most competent, capable person in my life unable to take care of herself, feeling so depressed and helpless, but today's looking better.
I think I might go home too. It's been a long week, between work and hospital stuff. I know Justin's disappointed to not be going to Jim and Tiff's halloween party, and so am I, but I can't handle more travel and people right now. I need my own space either today or tomorrow.
I need my Justin. I *miss* him. A lot. A lot a lot. Just being near him makes everything easier, better. Mind you, Eric and Carrie are magnificent, and they've both been great over the past few days. Carrie's an awesome cook. Even her leftovers rock. Eric and I played some Fable 2 in co-op, which was neat, and I got him started on WoW. Even so, there's no substitute for a Justin. He's on his way right now. We were supposed to be hitting the road soon, but I think we'll chill here for a bit then head home.
Home sounds good.