Amelia's first night was full of excitement, and thankfully, the excitement was all positive. She was able to get some sleep in 30 minute intervals. The abbreviated sleep was due primarily to the staff monitoring her on a regular basis.
In the middle of the night they had Amelia stand up for a moment and they were amazed at how much taller she seems to be. According to her she may be 2 inches taller! My Dad says that he sees a shopping spree in her future. One of Amelia's random thoughts from yesterday was that when she was at the San Diego Zoo she got to feel the head of a Beluga whale which she said, "felt squishy, like a rotten watermelon". Joke....or drugs...you decide.
During the middle of the night they showed Amelia x-rays of her back, which her and my mom were amazed by. Previously it wasn't clear whether the doctor brought her curve down to 40 degrees or had improved her curve by 40 degrees. After viewing the x-rays, Amelia thinks the latter seems to be true. This was very emotional for both Elaine and Amelia. The phrase of the morning was Amelia saying "I love my sternum".
This morning they had Amelia sitting up in a chair for 30 minutes, which you can see pictured below. She feels a little more achy today, however, the pain is definitely manageable. Praise the Lord for that!
You can see all the hefty equipment she is hooked up to in the pictures below. This includes: oxygen, blood pressure, IV's, a heart rate monitor, and a balloon like device hooked up to her legs which inflates and deflates periodically to keep blood flowing and prevents clotting. Finally, last but not least is a drain that is hooked up to a reservoir which collects blood and fluid from the surgical area of her back. They emptied right after I had arrived yesterday which caused both my dad and I some fleeting "light headedness".
She will be moving from the ICU to a regular room sometime this morning.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Resting Comfortably
Amelia has been resting comfortably in the ICU since about 4 P.M.
I arrived to find her, amazingly, just as chatting as usual and quite "with it". She said she is in some slight discomfort describing her back as feeling "stiff". However, she said she was not having any serious pain. After some time the nurse hooked Amelia up to a pain pump so she could administer pain medicine whenever necessary.
She had not experience any nausea which is a minor miracle in itself. We heard many stories about post surgery nausea that were not comforting. Amelia was feeling well enough that she drank some Orange juice, and ate some french toast and canned peaches. This food seemed to sit well in her stomach and caused no issues.
The doctor came into the room at one point and told us that he was able to get her curve down to 40 degrees. This is a significant improvement.
At another time the ICU doctor came in to check on Amelia. He was extremely surprised at how well she was doing, and he even joked that the surgery she had just had was actually a sham. He suggesting that we needed to "double check" the x-rays before we left to make sure they actually put the rods in her back.
When I left, the nurse had rolled Amelia on to her side to make her more comfortable so that she could try to get some sleep. She was feeling a bit drowsy due to the pain meds. I will be praying that she can get some sleep as she will undoubtedly have a bit of a rough day tomorrow. They say that the second day you are a bit more sore than the first.
I arrived to find her, amazingly, just as chatting as usual and quite "with it". She said she is in some slight discomfort describing her back as feeling "stiff". However, she said she was not having any serious pain. After some time the nurse hooked Amelia up to a pain pump so she could administer pain medicine whenever necessary.
She had not experience any nausea which is a minor miracle in itself. We heard many stories about post surgery nausea that were not comforting. Amelia was feeling well enough that she drank some Orange juice, and ate some french toast and canned peaches. This food seemed to sit well in her stomach and caused no issues.
The doctor came into the room at one point and told us that he was able to get her curve down to 40 degrees. This is a significant improvement.
At another time the ICU doctor came in to check on Amelia. He was extremely surprised at how well she was doing, and he even joked that the surgery she had just had was actually a sham. He suggesting that we needed to "double check" the x-rays before we left to make sure they actually put the rods in her back.
When I left, the nurse had rolled Amelia on to her side to make her more comfortable so that she could try to get some sleep. She was feeling a bit drowsy due to the pain meds. I will be praying that she can get some sleep as she will undoubtedly have a bit of a rough day tomorrow. They say that the second day you are a bit more sore than the first.
Surgery Complete - All is well!
So, at long last, my parents just spoke with the doctor who has completed the surgery.
Come to find out that the delay in the surgery was actually 2 hours, instead of the originally reported 1 hour. This was due to a malfunctioning piece of equipment which had broken before the surgery started. This meant that they had to move to another room AFTER they had put Amelia out....crazy.
The doctor was very positive about the results of the surgery. He was very happy about the correction they were able to get and said that they were even able to get rid of a portion of the twist in Amelia's spine which caused part of her shoulder / ribs to protrude out. Finally, they did not have to take any bone grafts off of Amelia's hip which is a possibility in this type of surgery, this was really good news as well.
Amelia will be in the ICU tonight and will be able to have visitors in a few hours time.
So, in the end things could not have gone any better. Praise the Lord!
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Please keep Amelia in your prayers as she begins the process of recovery.
Come to find out that the delay in the surgery was actually 2 hours, instead of the originally reported 1 hour. This was due to a malfunctioning piece of equipment which had broken before the surgery started. This meant that they had to move to another room AFTER they had put Amelia out....crazy.
The doctor was very positive about the results of the surgery. He was very happy about the correction they were able to get and said that they were even able to get rid of a portion of the twist in Amelia's spine which caused part of her shoulder / ribs to protrude out. Finally, they did not have to take any bone grafts off of Amelia's hip which is a possibility in this type of surgery, this was really good news as well.
Amelia will be in the ICU tonight and will be able to have visitors in a few hours time.
So, in the end things could not have gone any better. Praise the Lord!
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Please keep Amelia in your prayers as she begins the process of recovery.
Surgery Update #2
We just received another update. The surgery started 1 hour late and the doctor is estimating they will take roughly 2 more hours to finish. Things are going well so far with no complications or things out of the ordinary. It sounds like the surgery will probably run about 1 hour longer than was anticipated, however, *joke* I suppose it is a good thing that the doctor, "take his time", and make sure everything is done right. This is a rather delicate procedure ;) *joke*. I will provide updates as they come, at the moment we are expecting things to finish up in the neighborhood of 2 O'clock.
Surgery Update
Hello Everyone,
This is Amelia's older brother Jacob, and I will be posting updates of Amelia's progress until she is up and running once again. The surgery was scheduled to start at 7:40, however, this surgery is taking place at a hospital, and we all know hospitals are not known for their punctuality. Therefore the surgery started late. As of 9:40 the surgery was going well and the doctor should be out to give a final report, post surgery, about 3 hours from then.
Please keep Amelia in your prayers and look for the next update at 1:00 O'clock ish.
This is Amelia's older brother Jacob, and I will be posting updates of Amelia's progress until she is up and running once again. The surgery was scheduled to start at 7:40, however, this surgery is taking place at a hospital, and we all know hospitals are not known for their punctuality. Therefore the surgery started late. As of 9:40 the surgery was going well and the doctor should be out to give a final report, post surgery, about 3 hours from then.
Please keep Amelia in your prayers and look for the next update at 1:00 O'clock ish.
Couldn't Sleep... Surprise!
I attribute my being awake to two things. First, I have been hydrating like crazy (do I need to fully explain that thought?) Second, I didn't take any Ambien tonight. I can now honestly say that without drugs to over-ride it, my back pain keeps me awake at night. My discomfort has notably increased these past few months, but I've had drugs to keep me functioning most of the time.
I so look forward to sleeping better in a few weeks time :)
Anywho, as I was laying here, I thought it would be nice to post something that gives a visual for what I'm having done tomorrow. DON'T PANIC. There are no blood or guts in this animation. It just shows how the hardware will be used. However, you should be warned that the videos surrounding it have cover images of some actual surgeries, which do have the real thing. So, be careful not to click on any of those if you're squeamish.
If you want to check it out, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBIf4AQj5s0
In addition, this gal has a wonderfully detailed blog about her successful fusion surgery.. (Please be warned, she's very candid, and not all of it is child friendly content.) She also put up some images from her Flickr account that are great. Before/After pics and x-rays, etc.
Blog:
http://www.scoligirl.com/
Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7512920@N06/sets/72157600026049822/
If you aren't one of the 60 people who has viewed this blog in the last 10 hours, be sure to check out my post previous to this one. It has details on my surgery time, hospital stay, contacting/visiting me, etc.
Off to try this 'sleeping thing' again!
I so look forward to sleeping better in a few weeks time :)
Anywho, as I was laying here, I thought it would be nice to post something that gives a visual for what I'm having done tomorrow. DON'T PANIC. There are no blood or guts in this animation. It just shows how the hardware will be used. However, you should be warned that the videos surrounding it have cover images of some actual surgeries, which do have the real thing. So, be careful not to click on any of those if you're squeamish.
If you want to check it out, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBIf4AQj5s0
In addition, this gal has a wonderfully detailed blog about her successful fusion surgery.. (Please be warned, she's very candid, and not all of it is child friendly content.) She also put up some images from her Flickr account that are great. Before/After pics and x-rays, etc.
Blog:
http://www.scoligirl.com/
Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7512920@N06/sets/72157600026049822/
To note: I just realized she had the exact same levels/number of vertebrae fused that I am having fused. Jazzy! She grew two inches. BUT my curves are 70 over 70 degrees, hers were 60 over 48. Translation, I am way more wacka-doo, and therefore might gain more height than that? :)
If you aren't one of the 60 people who has viewed this blog in the last 10 hours, be sure to check out my post previous to this one. It has details on my surgery time, hospital stay, contacting/visiting me, etc.
Off to try this 'sleeping thing' again!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Surgery Tomorrow
Hello family and friends!
Writing the title for this post was surprisingly easy. I feel good about the surgery. You can't say that you're truly 'ready' for something like this, but the Lord has given me an incredible peace this week.
I get to wake up at 4am tomorrow and shower with special super-strength germ killing soap. We are to be checking in at Swedish at 5:40am, and surgery is scheduled to start at 7:40am. Thank God I don't have to wait through the day. There would be far too much time for thinking, if that were the case! As is, I should be out of the operating room and into recovery around noon, definitely before 1 o'clock.
Backtracking a bit.
I had my blood banked over the past few weeks. Two separate visits to the center, two units drawn. That was a very easy process. A gal named Debbie worked with me both times, and she was a pro! To note, my mom went with me the first time, and Bethany drove me the second, which was wonderful. Illustration for you:
Tuesday my parents went with me to Swedish for pre-op appointments. X-rays, meeting with the surgeon and nurses, then a full physical. The x-rays looked good. Er, that is to say, as they were expected to look! haha. No significant changes in my curves since the ones taken in January. We got all of our questions answered by Dr. Hanscom and the nurses we chatted with. They provided lots of detail on what to expect pre and post-op. My physical went fine, I am certified disease free and ready for surgery!
My finals wrapped up well and we moved my stuff back to my parent's house. I've spent the past week visiting with friends and family. I have been so incredibly blessed by the support of everyone around me. It seems as though I've had more texts and FB posts this past week than in the last year of my life. Haha.
After I finish this post, I'll be emailing the link to people. Jacob has received his Blogspot tutorial and is ready to update y'all as needed. Thank you for your prayers and for following along!
Later this afternoon, I'm going to pack up everything I'm taking to the hospital. It strikes me that the things I'm bringing are pretty entertaining (that is to say, they're mostly for entertainment purposes. Oooh, PUN!)
Top of the list, my Winnie the Pooh coloring book, and brand new 48 pack of Crayola crayons. (I know, you're jealous.) After this are my Kindle, iPod, Bible, journal, robe, and some clothes to travel home in.
My cell phone is coming with, but I'll have it off. It's more there for the contact info it contains.
Speaking of contact; I would love to have visitors, but most likely not for the first 2 weeks. If you would like to come see me later in June, just text, FB, email, or call someone in my family, or myself, and we'll get back to you about when would be a good time. We will be posting here about how I'm feeling and when I'll be up to seeing people.
My verse of the week: Psalm 139:13-16
"For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. I know this full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
I also thought I would note the top 5 songs on my playlist this week. Each of these represent an emotion I've been through, or a prayer that I've prayed these past few weeks.
Bring the Rain - MercyMe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU
Your Love is Strong - Jon Foreman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301S7NgAkLs
All of My Days - Alexi Murdoch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIQLha4zcQI
Beauty From Pain - Superchick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqBMYoctFZM
He Is With You - Mandisa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3CVlv2dz3w
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers and support... I'll see you on the other side :)
Writing the title for this post was surprisingly easy. I feel good about the surgery. You can't say that you're truly 'ready' for something like this, but the Lord has given me an incredible peace this week.
I get to wake up at 4am tomorrow and shower with special super-strength germ killing soap. We are to be checking in at Swedish at 5:40am, and surgery is scheduled to start at 7:40am. Thank God I don't have to wait through the day. There would be far too much time for thinking, if that were the case! As is, I should be out of the operating room and into recovery around noon, definitely before 1 o'clock.
Backtracking a bit.
I had my blood banked over the past few weeks. Two separate visits to the center, two units drawn. That was a very easy process. A gal named Debbie worked with me both times, and she was a pro! To note, my mom went with me the first time, and Bethany drove me the second, which was wonderful. Illustration for you:
 |
| That's Debbie on the right. I can hardly say how much I appreciated her! |
My finals wrapped up well and we moved my stuff back to my parent's house. I've spent the past week visiting with friends and family. I have been so incredibly blessed by the support of everyone around me. It seems as though I've had more texts and FB posts this past week than in the last year of my life. Haha.
 |
This picture sums up how I've been feeling surrounded by love... Some of my Bible study ladies; Hailey, who is going to be at the hospital tomorrow, is in the black apron. Jessica is red polka-dots, and Anna is sunflowers. I love them! |
Later this afternoon, I'm going to pack up everything I'm taking to the hospital. It strikes me that the things I'm bringing are pretty entertaining (that is to say, they're mostly for entertainment purposes. Oooh, PUN!)
Top of the list, my Winnie the Pooh coloring book, and brand new 48 pack of Crayola crayons. (I know, you're jealous.) After this are my Kindle, iPod, Bible, journal, robe, and some clothes to travel home in.
My cell phone is coming with, but I'll have it off. It's more there for the contact info it contains.
Speaking of contact; I would love to have visitors, but most likely not for the first 2 weeks. If you would like to come see me later in June, just text, FB, email, or call someone in my family, or myself, and we'll get back to you about when would be a good time. We will be posting here about how I'm feeling and when I'll be up to seeing people.
My verse of the week: Psalm 139:13-16
"For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. I know this full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
I also thought I would note the top 5 songs on my playlist this week. Each of these represent an emotion I've been through, or a prayer that I've prayed these past few weeks.
Bring the Rain - MercyMe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU
Your Love is Strong - Jon Foreman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301S7NgAkLs
All of My Days - Alexi Murdoch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIQLha4zcQI
Beauty From Pain - Superchick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqBMYoctFZM
He Is With You - Mandisa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3CVlv2dz3w
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers and support... I'll see you on the other side :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)