Saturday night was a disturbed night, Dana was sick twice during the night/early morning which was upsetting and she had been complaining of an upset stomach. When you look at the amount of drugs she has had since the op, it's no surprise her stomach has suffered. I called the nurse and we both cleaned Dana and changed the bedding. I was keeping quite as an Amish mother and one of her 11 children had joined Dana in the room. The girls machines kept bleeping and with Dana's unsettled night, a third night of sleeplessness.
The day shift arrived at just after 7.30am and was told Dana's first physio session was at 9am by bedside, so I made sure breakfast was ordered so Dana was able to receive pain relief half and hour before physio. We were both ready well before the session time, unfortunately the physio did not appear until 10am as I was given the wrong time by the nurses. I was really annoyed as Dana had the pain relief way too early and why did the nurse get the time wrong which made us rush in the morning. By the time 10am came Dana had got herself anxious and when the physio shown me how to sit her on the bed and then transfer her to the wheelchair, Dana's did not look so good. She looked so pale and washed out and her body was leaning that her upper body seemed unable to support her. Looking at her was really scary and thought there is no way she can do anything this morning. Within minutes of sitting in the wheelchair Dana was sick again. I had the bowl in one hand and holding her up with the
other. The physio then left as she had to see another patient and would be back in half an hour. The build up towards today and the events of this morning were just too much and I just broke down and cried. I couldn't do this any more. I was exhausted and didn't feel comfortable handling Dana as I couldn't lift her, she weighed a tonne. She looked completely spaced out. What had I put her through.
The afternoon was much more of a success, I asked the physio to come to the bedside first then we would all go to the therapy gym, which she did. The transfer from bed/wheelchair/bed is still uncomfortable and makes me feel really nervous. I am thinking there is no way she is ready for discharge on day 5. The Amish girl and mother move to another room, so Dana has the room to herself again. When we arrive at the gym, the first thing I notice is how big the room is and seems to go on for ever. It is divided into section which seem age appropriate. It is so well equipped it is a physiotherapists dream. The physio suggests we have a wheelchair on loan as it is very difficult to grip Dana as her wheelchair is too narrow. She will place a request and will be with us on tomorrow. I am shown a couple of stretches and Dana also was able to stand for a few seconds. Dana worked extremely hard and was completely shattered. When the physio asked how her legs feel, Dana said her legs feel divorced from each other. I thought this was a very mature and interesting way to describe her new legs.
Dana's hands are still extremely swollen and am hoping this will go eventually as that is what I have been told. She may also have a urine infection and a sample was requested, this was sent off to the lab, results back Monday morning. After Dana had a short nap she made a Skype call to her nanny who was so pleased to hear from her and I know Dana misses her terribly.
In the early evening as I was ordering dinner, Catlin came in who asked if we wanted anything and Dana started to talk about the film she was watching as it was about ice skating. Dana mentioned about the charity event which had a cheerleading group perform and Catlin said she travels and teaches cheerleading. That was enough for Dana to start quizzing Catlin about cheerleading as Dana has taken a real passion to it. The conversation then moved to doctors and the good looking ones, it was nice hearing Dana being so comfortable with someone and beginning to be like her old self. Dana said goodbye to Catlin as she was not back on the ward until Wednesday and Dana would be discharged on Tuesday.
I change Dana and get her comfortable for sleep. The nurse gives her oral meds. She is now allowed to have the bed back rest up 30 degrees. I lower the bed back to flat and soon she is asleep. I attempt to make the chair into a bed, half an hour later it looks like a bed. While I'm doing this an announcement is made in the ward stating there will be severe storms until 1am. Apparently this means all the windows need to be shut. Still scary to hear.
Tomorrow is Day 4 post op and I hope Dana has the rest and sleep needed to be able to be comfortable for the session in the morning at 9am. I feel really apprehensive and know this feeling is not forever but still doesn't help when you go through it. We have Allie back as Dana nurse for the day tomorrow which will please Dana. Dana keeps saying I will try my hardest and I know she will. She is a fighter and a very strong person. It is not only me saying this but nurses and Dr Park have said this also.
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