The Third Day After Surgery is Always the Worst

When I walked up to Mom's room this morning -- the third day after her
double bypass surgery -- the curtain was closed on the room. Not a
good sign.

There were three nurses surrounding her bed, and one of them was
reapplying a heart monitor. (Never mind why they ever took it off in
the first place!)

She had gone into atrial fibrillation (sic?) -- essentially, her heart
was beating at near 200 beats per minute. The nurse explained that
this happens in about 95% of heart surgeries, and that they had
applied a "bolus" (some kind of heart medication) to help keep the
heart rhythm closer to normal.

Her heart rate is still up and down at the moment as we watch the
monitor -- between 140 and 160.

Needless to say, she won't be getting out of the hospital today.
Probably more like Monday.

Despite the scare, she's doing okay, although she had a lot of pain
with her back overnight, and she doesn't look nearly as well rested
today.

Back to a Regular Room

Mom was moved out of the ICU and back to a regular room earlier this
afternoon.

They also took out many of the tubes and IVs (although there's still
an IV line available in her neck in case she needs it).

She was able to walk all the way to the new room. The nurse did
explain that she needed to continue focus on her breathing exercises,
and to move around when she could. That's how she'll earn her way out
of here!

For now, she's resting and has been sleeping intermittently. They
just brought her her PM pain pills, which she asked for as soon as she
awakened. So the pain's still there, and as the nurse explained, to
be able to fully do her breathing exercises and take deep breaths, she
needs to keep that pain to a minimum, which is why the pills.

She did have some lunch, focusing on the roll and some peaches (which
she ate all of). She'll likely do some more walking later on, and by
tomorrow she could be well on her way to getting out of her. Although
dad and I expect it will likely (and more sensibly) be Sunday.

The Day After Surgery: Mom's Doing Great

Well, I really have nothing but good news to report this morning,
which is precisely the way we like it.

Overnight, Mom had to take in a couple of pints of blood, just to get
her back to even after the surgery. But other than that, it's all good.

She ate her first solid meal this morning since about 36 hours ago:
Delicious hospital scrambled eggs, potatoes, and decaf coffee (she
skipped the blueberry muffin, or perhaps is hoarding it for later).

Most unbelievably, Mom informed me that this morning she had walked to
the end of the hall and back, a pretty good ways. I was amazed she
had even been able to sit up, which was exactly where I found her when
I walked into the room this morning.

She explained that when they first made her sit up, after Dad and I
left last night, she didn't even have that much pain, and actually
refused some of the pain meds from a nurse later on in the evening.

So, she continues to amaze and says to tell everyone out there -- in
AOL chat land, friends, family -- that she's feeling much better but
wishes they'd start removing some of those tubes (IVs, catheter,
etc.). LOL

And, she wanted me to thank everyone for the well wishes and prayers
-- they seem to be working so please keep at it!

No ETA on her departure from the ICU...possibly later today. The
doctor had previously indicated she would be ready to go home
tomorrow. As well as she's doing, I think that unlikely, but then
again, at the rate she's progressing, it may very well happen.

More later as the day goes on, but we're very happy with her progress
so far!

Mom's Now In ICU

Dad and I finally got in to the ICU to see Mom around 1:30 CST.

She looked really good, all things considered, although it was clear
she was in horrible, horrible pain.

She was able to eat a few ice chips (she'd been fasting since
midnight, of course), and despite decrying the pain, she was very
lucid and alert. I don't think I could have been nearly that alert
after such an ordeal.

But we already knew she's a fighter.

Her blood sugar was a little low, so they gave her some insulin, and
the attending nurse also asked mom to keep breathing...in through the
nose, out through her mouth. Slow and steady. This is apparently
critical to ensuring that she stays off the breathing machine and
breathes on her own.

They're going to get her to sit up later this afternoon. My dad
indicated he wanted no part of that. LOL There will likely be
yelling involved.

Much as it pains me to see her in pain, I try to take it as a damned
good sign: She survived, she's feeling it, and she's ready to get it
the hell over with.

Finally, like a lot of people, I don't much enjoy spending time in
hospitals. But as they go, this one's been very good. The staff are
very attentive and most kind, and in such situations, that kindness
goes a long, long way.

For now, mom is resting...I'll be checking back in a bit later.

Surgery Went Great

Well, Dr. Cai, the surgeon, was in and out so fast that my sister and
I didn't even get to hear from him.

But, Dad spoke with him and said the surgery went great, that they
already de-intubated her (took out the breathing tube), and that she
had a little pain but was doing very well.

We expect to be able to go in and see her around 1 PM CST in the ICU.

Surgery's Just About Done

The surgeon is just about finishing up, and is expected to come and
talk to us around 12:30 PM CST.

We are eagerly awaiting his arrival in the family waiting room.

As soon as we get word of any details, I will share them here.

But apparently so far so good.

Mom's Surgery

For those of you awaiting updates here, I've been having some
technical troubles, but once again my good friend Ed in Brooklyn
helped me find a way around them.

Mom went into surgery around 9:35 AM CST this morning (Thursday).
She's going to be having a double bypass, and we don't know if she'll
be "on-" or "off-pump" (i.e., on a heart/lung machine).

She was mostly in good spirits, if a little cranky. They woke her up
early to take an X-ray, and we had bad storms overnight here in north
Texas that woke a lot of people up.

We expect the surgery to take between 3-4 hours, and am hoping to see
her in ICU in the early afternoon.

She wanted to let all her AOL chat friends know that she very much
appreciates all your prayers and well wishes, as do we her family.

Khristol, Dad, and I are firmly parked in and/or around the family
waiting room here at Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, Texas. We hope
to get an update soon from the OR.

Thanks again, and I will keep you all posted here as we learn more
details.

God Bless.

Todd Watson