The Waiting Begins

So now the waiting begins.  Noah made Kate a paper chain counting down the days until the dumb cast comes off.  Kate is making lists of things to do once we are only in a wheelchair with no cast.  The Zoo and the animal park in Escondido being two of them.  Here is a girl into animals. 

She does pretty good during the day,  but the nights can be wicked.  I think she is half asleep and tries to move only to find out she is stuck tight and freaks out.  She wants the cast off now, she hates the cotton inside, etc.  She reached into her cast a few nights ago and started ripping out the cotton.  I can now see the steri strips on her right abdomen incision.  She was half asleep when she did it,  and I am sure I would do the same thing.  Now being very careful to keep that area dry.   Distraction and drugs are our friends in this situation.

I am happy to report she has slept through the night the last three nights.  Good thing too, because I was feeling newborn baby tired.  The other night was so sad.  Before she went to sleep she said she missed her old life.  She just wants to walk again and go downstairs and do all the things she used to do.  Big alligator tears running down her cheeks just killed me.  We talked for a while and tried to find good things to think about.  She eventually went to sleep.  Broke my heart.

She has been getting some really fun stuff from people.  This is a picture of her with a gift basket from people at Ethan's work.  Now she really is princess Kate. 

She is eating a little better,  thank goodness,  and she is able to sit up a little better.  Her incision on the right abdomen has been more painful than the left side but her sitting up better tells me it's starting to feel a little better.  Please, please let the time fly by.  Her appointment to get her cast off is March 14th.  Praying for her bones to heal quickly. 

Home Again!

 The last day at the hospital we actually got her to eat an ice cream cone,  well most of of it anyway.  It's the small things.  We got the bean bags and blankets ready and put her in the van.  No easy feat with this big, heavy cast.  She did really well this time and got comfortable right away.  She had to have her kitten, Crystal, and the iPad for the ride home.  The hospital gave her a flower on her way out the door.  Just like two weeks ago, she crashed out on the ride home.  She takes that pink blanket Nana made her everywhere she goes.  It's super soft.

Once we got her back in her hospital bed her real cat, Cleo, came to see her.  Cleo only leaves her side to go eat.  Every time we look,  Cleo is on the bed with Kate.  Look at the smile on my girl.  Any cat that can do that is pretty cool.


Back to the same old struggle. Trying to get Kate to eat something so we can stay on top of her pain.  She is currently having a little "Princess and the Pea" situation.  Every wrinkle is uncomfortable, the sheet is not covering her toes just right, etc.  Not that I blame her,  it would drive me crazy.  Now we count down the days/weeks until this sucker comes off.  I am trying to be optimistic by thinking that by Tuesday we will only have three weeks left.  Only,  what a joke. 

Thanks again for all of the love and support.  We are feeling a little sleep deprived and there's always some level of stress.  I am seriously hoping that having her home,  and knowing that both surgeries are done,  will help with the stress level. 

Hospital Stay

We ended up staying in the hospital one day longer than the last surgery.  I think she was on so much morphine that she just couldn't get her appetite going.  On the bright side,  her pain control was fantastic. 

These pictures were actually taken a day apart.  She really lit up when the dogs came to visit.  What a great hospital.

This time around I stayed during the day,  and Ethan took night patrol.  Night can be tricky because she becomes a little disoriented and hates that dang cast.  Here is what Ethan said about her last night at the hospital:

The sun is up and my angel is asleep, hopefully for the last time in the hospital. The worst drama lat night was getting her to eat a small graham cracker. You would have thought we were asking her to undergo surgery again. Actually, she probably would have preferred that. After 30 minutes of negotiation (aka threatening, pleading, reasoning, drugging, ...), she finally agreed to eat 1 Sun Chip. After that torture, the night was smooth. Complained a little about the cast at one point (Valium is a good thing), but managed to get some sleep.

Here is a follow up to that post:

 Update -- Kate woke up when the nurses came in. She had a big smile and gave us a "good morning." The nurses asked how she slept and she said "great, but I had a bad dream -- I dreamed I was feeling sick and had to eat..." Smiling, happy and relaxed so far this morning.ti

She makes me laugh.  We discontinued the morphine and started her on Vicodin by mouth.  She has to eat with Vicodin or you get sick to your stomach.  We tried everything.  I did find her a happy meal next door and she got down 2 nuggets and a couple fries.  Never has eating junky food made me so happy.  She has been getting stuffed kitty's from people and she names and loves them all.  Thank you so much.

 

The Day After

Kate is still on a PCA which is running continuously but at a lower dose than yesterday. She can now press her PCA button and get an extra boost of morphine. Her pain, while still present, seems to be better than last time. Although, two weeks ago she was also much more alert and able to move around a bit more. Morphine is great for pain, but a killer on the diet. This girl has eaten nothing. I bribed, begged, and pleaded for one bite of a roll, which she did eat. She now feels like she has upheld her part of the bargain and will have nothing more to do with food.

Her cast is gigantic and heavy. Her Dr. said that we can use the bar between her legs to help move her around. That used to be a no-no. She still has her drains in and 'wires everywhere' according to her. I had hoped we would be going home tomorrow, but it's not looking good. We need to be eating, off the PCA and onto oral meds. We also need to get her up to a wheelchair and transferring with our help.

I'm tired. Seriously. I got 6 hours last night, but could fall asleep standing up if I weren't listening for Kate. Not the easiest thing to do for the slightly deaf. Hoping for a good night. If anyone is throwing a prayer out in Kate's behalf, we need pain control and an appetite. Thanks.

In Our Room

We made it to our room. Not shared this time which will be nice. I neglected to mention that Kate had a transfusion in the last post. I was having a one track mind about seeing my girl. She was low from the last surgery and they did a blood draw right before she went in to surgery to cross and type in case she needed a transfusion. I literally had to hold her arm down so they could stick her with a butterfly, smallest needle ever. She went much more willingly into surgery.

I wheeled her in and sat next to her in her wheelchair while she proceeded to tell the anesthesiologist that the gas mask had something sticky on it and it needed to be cleaned. Here is a girl who speaks her mind. She was very calm this time as they held the gas mask on. So much better than two weeks ago. She still did her little arm spasm and giggled and then went to sleep. So much easier on mom when the patient is willing.

Things seemed to take a little longer this time. Three hours before we could see her. Finally got walked back to the PACU with a nurse who told me how cute and funny Kate was being. When I saw her, she had a red teddy bear in her arms courtesy of the hospital for Valentines Day. She did tell me that her leg hurt and that one leg was heavier than the other, but not crying like last time. She fell back to sleep only to wake a few minutes later saying that we had spelled her name wrong. The nurse and I looked at each other and the nurse kind of asked, "spelled your name wrong?" Kate opened her eyes, looked right at the nurse and said, "yes, in my dream we were painting and you spelled my name wrong.". The nurse apologized and Kate drifted back into la la land.

Kate is mostly sleeping, but when she is awake she is still complaining that one leg is heavier than the other. Not sure how we can fix that. Hopefully that sensation won't last long. She has a drain in her right leg like last time. She is on a PCA that is currently continuously pumping her full of morphine. Let the nose itching begin.

Out Of Surgery

Kate is out of surgery and is still in recovery. I haven't seen her yet and I'm waiting impatiently to do so. Dr. Wenger told us that everything went very well. He said that we will take the cast off in 4 weeks, 2 weeks shorter than we thought, and then they will take an X-ray and if everything looks good the cast will stay off. Yay!! If not, they recast her at that time. Not yay. Pray for fast healing bones.

Once the cast is off she will go 4 weeks in a wheelchair with zero touching the ground with her feet. He says if she does touch the ground we have to recast. Seatbelts, duct tape, I will be prepared to keep her off her toes. Hate that cast.

More after I have seen my baby, which is not happening soon enough.

Right Leg Tomorrow

Going in bright and early tomorrow to Children's.  Surgery is scheduled for 9:10,  which means we will be starting around 10:30-11.  I told Kate I was going to shampoo her hair and get her ready for surgery tomorrow and she said she would much rather have surgery than have me brush her hair.  Poor kid is getting both! 

I will be updating the blog tomorrow as Kate comes out of surgery.  Hoping for sleep tonight.  Small goals, small steps.  

Sunday Morning

Just when you think you've hit your groove place,  things go to pot.  Have I mentioned how much I hate this cast?  I'm probably second only to Kate.  She couldn't sleep last night because she was itchy inside her cast.  We gave her a little Benadryl and got her thinking about something else and she finally drifted off.  Only after telling me how much she hates her cast and wants it off.  I told her we will have a ceremony when the the stupid thing comes off and get rid of it good.  I'm feeling funeral pyre ala Darth Vader and watch the dumb thing go up in flames.

We got things wet inside again, so much dang fun.  Blow dryer out in full force this morning on the last little spot. Called the Dr. on call just so they know this cast is coming in wounded on Tuesday. She said things will be fine until Tuesday and to blow dry and pull out wet cotton.  Been there, done that.  I have pulled every bit of cotton out of this sucker that can come.  The only bright side is I think we have learned a lot and will, hopefully,  keep the next one dryer.


Time for church, Kate is staying home again this week.  I think she will go in a few weeks.  Her wheelchair is just so big since she has to be mostly reclining,  it's going to be brutal getting her anywhere without some difficulty.  Time to chill and be off for church.  Thank you for all the continued support, meals, toys, visits,  blankets, PJ's, and prayers.  I can't tell you much they all help.

Goofy Girl

One week from tomorrow we go in for the right leg.  In some ways I wish it were tomorrow.  I just want this over with.  Pretty sad considering it's just beginning.  Kate is doing great 90% of the time.  There have been a few times when she has been very tired or having some discomfort that she will ask us to please take her to the hospital for them to remove her cast.  I tell her that we have to wait for her hip to heal,  but she says it never hurts to ask.  So heartbreaking.  I hate that dumb cast.  Using a bedpan is a joke.  She is doing better than I am the last couple days, if you can't tell.

Kate can move around a lot better now and she is using the trapeze above her bed like a champ.  She jokes with us that she is going to be very strong using her arms like that every day.  Getting the hospital bed was inspired.  She can move around and get herself comfortable in positions that I would never put her in. 

One issue we are having is that Kate won't eat.  Nothing sounds good or tastes good.  I had one hour the other day to run to the store and I'm sure I looked like a crazy person throwing anything Kate has ever eaten or craved in the cart.  Sadly, it was mostly donuts, chips, ice cream, etc.  I'm not being picky right now.  Food is food.  I'm not sure what we haven't tried, but I'm open to suggestions. 

Kate's schedule is also screwed up.  She is sleeping in until 10:30-11 and staying up until 1.  Can't win.

These pictures were taken right after we did a shampoo in the kitchen sink.  Yay, for that.  Clean hair feels great.  Kate was acting like her usual goofy self, I grabbed the camera and she hammed it up. 

Clothes are interesting as well.  I bought some size 14 sweats and some size 14 shorts.  The sides of the shorts have been cut and velcro put on in preparation for the next cast.  I think I will want to burn these few outfits when we are done.  Thank goodness the shirts can be interchangeable.  

Thanks to everyone who have sent activities and gifts for Kate.  It really lifts her spirits and mine.  Thank you. 

Home!

Going home took a little effort.  Kate and I went last Saturday to learn how to strap her in using a vest so she can lay down across the seats in the van and still be belted in.  It involved bean bags, blankets, and pillows.  She wasn't going anywhere.  Of course, by the time we got her ready to go she was tired and every blanket was wrong and she just couldn't get comfortable.  It's so hard to not be able to make it better for her.  That has been the hardest part of the last few days.  There is only so much you can do and then you just pray she will find some peace and comfort. 

Once we were on our way she fell asleep.  She slept in the van for a couple of hours outside in our driveway while we watched.  Good thing we live in San Diego where it was perfect weather to do so.  She woke up 15 minutes before her hospital bed arrived so we fed her a little in the van and then transferred her inside to her own bed.  She was very excited to see her cat, Cleo.  She missed the cats in the hospital.  She did a few craft things,  watched Aristocats, and ate dinner. 

Tired now. The second day without sleep is always the worst.  Glad to be home with bed and wheelchair for Kate. 

Post Surgery at Rady's

 The second day,  one day post op, Kate had a rough time getting comfortable.  The cast was uncomfortable,  the sheets have wrinkles in them,  there's something in her cast,  and she was itchy, itchy.  She was on a PCA with morphine and that morphine made her itch.  Mostly her nose.  I could always tell when she pushed the button,  she would start itching that nose.

She brought her giraffe with her from home and has held onto it pretty tightly the whole time.  Our Bishop stopped by with a darling little bear,  and a teacher from school sent a little pink dog.  She pretty much had them all with her the whole time.  



You can see the cast goes up to about her rib cage and all the way down to her ankle.  It wraps around her waist.  On February 14th, when she has her next surgery,  this cast will be completely removed and replaced with one that goes down both legs to the ankle and there will be a bar in between.  

She did get up today in a wheelchair.  That was the last thing she had to do to get the OK to get to go home.  She had already moved from her IV meds to oral ones.  They tried a couple different pain killers and she ended up with Vicodin and Valium.  I think she may be a little like her mom.  I can take Vicodin like it's Tylenol and it doesn't make me tired or anything.  Kate was up with Ethan until 2:30 am playing games and watching movies. 

The hospital is wonderful.   They have a room where kids can go play and do crafts.  Kate became expert at painting while laying down in her wheelchair.

The hospital also has a resident dog, Snoop Dog.  Way cute and Kate just loved petting him.  I'm sure all the kids do.  Kate was having so much fun the last few hours that she said she was excited to come back to this floor after her next surgery.   I guess my plan for drugging her up and kidnapping her has been thwarted. 

Kate is in this picture holding the TV remote/nurse caller.  She was really in charge of things by the time we left.  She called down for her nurse when it was time for her meds or if her PCA was beeping.  She still had some getting comfortable issues today.  I think they may last until April when the cast comes off.

Oh, What a Night

That's a Jersey Boy reference, Oh What a Night. Or a Four Seasons song depending on your preference. Can't exactly say there was much sleeping going on last night, a few "naps" we'll call them. Nurses got to check those vitals, give antibiotics, reposition patients, etc. all night long. We had a little problem attempting to use the restroom via bedpan and ended up getting a catheter. Not fun to get, but ended up being a good way to go. Dr. Not that happy about it so it will likely go later today.

We are sharing a room and it seemed that whenever we were doing well, the other little girl would start crying. I am a terrible person, I would think how tired I am whenever she would cry and Kate would always ask if the other girl was going to be alright and if we needed to call the nurse for her. It was my second thought. Maybe that just makes sorta rotten, not totally rotten. Kate is a far better person than I am.

Struggling this morning with itching and pain. Bishop came by with a stuffed animal, a cute soft bear, so she loved that. Off to switch positions and try the oral meds. More later.