With our personal chef officially off duty for the first time in 6 months (see post below!) and with Chris being home on disability and needing to gain back some weight, not only for health reasons but to also increase his energy level, I'm in DESERATE need of dinner ideas and recipes!
Ideally, I'm looking for things that can quickly and easily be thrown together the night before and that Chris can toss into the oven an hour or two before Shane and I get home.
Good,wholesome meals that are easy on the digestive system. In other words, nothing too spicey, no raw veggies, and no super thick cream sauces. Protein is our top priority (that, and it has to be yummy enough for an almost 3 year old to eat)!
We'd welcome any ideas or recipes you have! Feel free to email them to me at koconnor1009@hotmail.com
We'll be forever in your debt!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
On The Road (Again?)
When the two of you pulled into our driveway that Friday night six months ago, each of you in a separate car packed to the gill with all of your favorite belongings, exhausted from a day of packing, lawyers and handing over your condo keys, none of us ever saw your planned two week stay with us turning into 6 months.
But as luck would have it, your condo sold at just the right moment, for 5 days later would find Chris in the ER and a week after that would find us with a cancer diagnosis. We hope you both know how much we appreciated (and needed) your support at that time. How great it was to come home from that fateful doctor appointment to hear you say you'd be staying with us for a while, to know that we weren't alone.
We're extremely grateful to both of you for all you've done for us these last 6 months. I think it's pretty safe to say that we wouldn't be where we are today without the support and the sacrifices you gave, and made, for us. There are no words to express our gratitude to you for giving up your own lives for 6 months to guarantee the safety and well being of ours.
While you are (finally!) making your way down to Florida today to re-start your life, know how much you're missed up here. And know we're okay. And that we'll continue to be okay.
With much love and appreciation . . . .
But as luck would have it, your condo sold at just the right moment, for 5 days later would find Chris in the ER and a week after that would find us with a cancer diagnosis. We hope you both know how much we appreciated (and needed) your support at that time. How great it was to come home from that fateful doctor appointment to hear you say you'd be staying with us for a while, to know that we weren't alone.
We're extremely grateful to both of you for all you've done for us these last 6 months. I think it's pretty safe to say that we wouldn't be where we are today without the support and the sacrifices you gave, and made, for us. There are no words to express our gratitude to you for giving up your own lives for 6 months to guarantee the safety and well being of ours.
While you are (finally!) making your way down to Florida today to re-start your life, know how much you're missed up here. And know we're okay. And that we'll continue to be okay.
With much love and appreciation . . . .
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Earning His Keep
(Almost) 3 isn't too young to put him to work, is it??
Aunt "Sue-bus", I suppose this will be going into your "book"???!!! :-)
Helping Papa:
Getting pointers from Daddy:
Good job, Buddy!!!
**Note: Despite how dead our grass was (okay, is), we would never have our little guy doing any kind of manual labor out in the yard - not yet anyway! He pulled the seed spreader out of the shed himself (swear!!). I think he thought it was one of his push toys! Regardless, he had TONS of fun pushing that thing around the yard!!
Aunt "Sue-bus", I suppose this will be going into your "book"???!!! :-)
Helping Papa:
Getting pointers from Daddy:
Good job, Buddy!!!
**Note: Despite how dead our grass was (okay, is), we would never have our little guy doing any kind of manual labor out in the yard - not yet anyway! He pulled the seed spreader out of the shed himself (swear!!). I think he thought it was one of his push toys! Regardless, he had TONS of fun pushing that thing around the yard!!Monday, April 6, 2009
A (New) Old Favorite
Stacey Thomas, a very talented designer over at Park-Thomas Design has been helping me design Shane's 3rd birthday invite (I'll be sure to share the design once they've been received by family). With Stacey's help, we decided to use this cropped version of one of my all-time favorites! Thanks, Stacey!
A Boy & His Dogs
Our son SO thinks that he is a canine! Most days, I'm surprised he's not walking around on all four like Kylee and Zoe do!
In the interest of full disclosure, when I was pregnant with Shane, Chris and I were a bit concerned about how the dogs, especially Zoe, would react to having a baby in the house. I mean, our girls had been our babies all along, right until we were blessed with a little blue bundle of our own.
Both Kylee and Zoe are rescue dogs, and both have their "issues". Not knowing what their full backgrounds are made it difficult to envision how they'd handle having a little one around. Kylee has to be the center of attention at all times, so naturally, we were concerned about how she would handle playing second fiddle for a while! And Zoe, poor Zoe. She was abused by her previous owner and has always been skittish around strangers - mainly men and children.
But, from the moment we brought our little guy home, our girls took to him like glue! Sure they have their moments when they've had enough of him and I'm sure they're wishing he'd just disappear for a while (don't all siblings?!), but ultimately, they love him - immensely. They've taken him in like he's one of their own and Chris and I couldn't be happier!
I mean seriously, could they be having any more fun together!! Just take a look at his face!!
Yeah, I'm talking about you Buddy!!
More tomorrow!
In the interest of full disclosure, when I was pregnant with Shane, Chris and I were a bit concerned about how the dogs, especially Zoe, would react to having a baby in the house. I mean, our girls had been our babies all along, right until we were blessed with a little blue bundle of our own.
Both Kylee and Zoe are rescue dogs, and both have their "issues". Not knowing what their full backgrounds are made it difficult to envision how they'd handle having a little one around. Kylee has to be the center of attention at all times, so naturally, we were concerned about how she would handle playing second fiddle for a while! And Zoe, poor Zoe. She was abused by her previous owner and has always been skittish around strangers - mainly men and children.
But, from the moment we brought our little guy home, our girls took to him like glue! Sure they have their moments when they've had enough of him and I'm sure they're wishing he'd just disappear for a while (don't all siblings?!), but ultimately, they love him - immensely. They've taken him in like he's one of their own and Chris and I couldn't be happier!
I mean seriously, could they be having any more fun together!! Just take a look at his face!!Yeah, I'm talking about you Buddy!!
More tomorrow!Friday, April 3, 2009
A Day At The Park
There's an elementary school, literally down the street from us, with a playground that Shane loves!
Often, on the weekends, we'll take a stroll up to the school and let Shane run around in the ball fields behind the school or play on the playground equipment for a while. It's a good way to get us all out of the house for a bit.
These snapshots were taken about a week and a half after Chris's embolization. Standing completely upright was still a bit tough for him and he was still in some considerable pain, but still - he knew getting out of the house would be good for him - and he was right! We all had a fantastic time playing at the school, as usual!
"Come on, Daddy! Over here!"
Curiosity still gets the best of him!!
Often, on the weekends, we'll take a stroll up to the school and let Shane run around in the ball fields behind the school or play on the playground equipment for a while. It's a good way to get us all out of the house for a bit.
These snapshots were taken about a week and a half after Chris's embolization. Standing completely upright was still a bit tough for him and he was still in some considerable pain, but still - he knew getting out of the house would be good for him - and he was right! We all had a fantastic time playing at the school, as usual!
"Come on, Daddy! Over here!"
Curiosity still gets the best of him!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Sick
Chris and I went to yet another doctor appointment yesterday, but this time it was the pediatrician! Our little guy has yet another ear infection!
He started with a runny nose on Tuesday morning and after a bad night of sleep Tuesday night, we knew something was up - so we made the call to schedule an appointment for an ear check. Sure enough, left ear was infected!
After a few rounds of antibiotics yesterday, and an earful of the "numbing drops" that the pedi gave us, our little guy had a much better afternoon and night and was doing better already when he woke up this morning. Apparently, dull moments aren't allowed in our house!!
I've got tons of photos at home waiting to be edited, but thought I'd share these 2 quick snaps from Aunt Kate's birthday on Sunday. Our kid is such a ham!!
This kid L-O-V-E-S attention!! (Have I mentioned just how much he is his father's son??!!) Anytime anyone sings the "Happy Birthday" song, Shane is convinced it's for him - even if he's in another room. See how much he eats this stuff up!!!
More tomorrow, promise!
Aunt Trae, it was great to have you here for a few days - we're SO glad you made the trip, despite being sick - what a trooper!!! Shane had a fantastic time and there's no doubt that he's going to miss you - we all will! Hope you have a safe flight home and we're already looking forward to your next visit!!
He started with a runny nose on Tuesday morning and after a bad night of sleep Tuesday night, we knew something was up - so we made the call to schedule an appointment for an ear check. Sure enough, left ear was infected!
After a few rounds of antibiotics yesterday, and an earful of the "numbing drops" that the pedi gave us, our little guy had a much better afternoon and night and was doing better already when he woke up this morning. Apparently, dull moments aren't allowed in our house!!
I've got tons of photos at home waiting to be edited, but thought I'd share these 2 quick snaps from Aunt Kate's birthday on Sunday. Our kid is such a ham!!
This kid L-O-V-E-S attention!! (Have I mentioned just how much he is his father's son??!!) Anytime anyone sings the "Happy Birthday" song, Shane is convinced it's for him - even if he's in another room. See how much he eats this stuff up!!!
More tomorrow, promise!Aunt Trae, it was great to have you here for a few days - we're SO glad you made the trip, despite being sick - what a trooper!!! Shane had a fantastic time and there's no doubt that he's going to miss you - we all will! Hope you have a safe flight home and we're already looking forward to your next visit!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Better Already
Both my blogging and Chris!
And here's some proof (taken on St. Patrick's Day)! Looking good just one week after the embolization! Now we just need to get some weight back on him!
We had a house full of company yesterday, otherwise my new "blog promise" would've gotten under way a day sooner!
Here's a few more snapshots from St. Patrick's Day. $5 to anyone who can successfully explain to Shane that his electronic ride-on is an outdoor toy only . . .
Can't you just see the devil in his eyes! This kid is SO plotting his next "attack"!!
And here's some proof (taken on St. Patrick's Day)! Looking good just one week after the embolization! Now we just need to get some weight back on him!
We had a house full of company yesterday, otherwise my new "blog promise" would've gotten under way a day sooner!
Here's a few more snapshots from St. Patrick's Day. $5 to anyone who can successfully explain to Shane that his electronic ride-on is an outdoor toy only . . .
Can't you just see the devil in his eyes! This kid is SO plotting his next "attack"!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Back In The Saddle
This is me, saying to all of you, that I'm vowing to get back in the saddle and to be better about keeping this blog updated!
While I would certainly give anything to have Chris NOT be out of work on disability right now, the extra time with him at night is priceless - I didn't realize how much I missed having him around at night during the week. Family time is awesome! BUT, more family time means less free time, and less free time means less blog time!
So - to Aunt Kate - HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY!! to Aunt Trae - Welcome Back to CT!!!
We're all doing REALLY well, Chris included! Pain is present, but is becoming more localized and every day I'm seeing more and more of the man I married (how I've missed him . . .) We're still looking into different options for treatment (I'm still after the cure!) and we're taking each day as it comes.
Life really is beautiful. And valuable. You realize what's most important to you when someone threatens you with the possibility of taking it all away. Lucky for us, we refuse to let it be taken.
While I would certainly give anything to have Chris NOT be out of work on disability right now, the extra time with him at night is priceless - I didn't realize how much I missed having him around at night during the week. Family time is awesome! BUT, more family time means less free time, and less free time means less blog time!
So - to Aunt Kate - HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY!! to Aunt Trae - Welcome Back to CT!!!
We're all doing REALLY well, Chris included! Pain is present, but is becoming more localized and every day I'm seeing more and more of the man I married (how I've missed him . . .) We're still looking into different options for treatment (I'm still after the cure!) and we're taking each day as it comes.
Life really is beautiful. And valuable. You realize what's most important to you when someone threatens you with the possibility of taking it all away. Lucky for us, we refuse to let it be taken.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"Much"
It's the new "I love you" in our house (as in "I love you very much"). It's another "Shane-ism" and it lights up our hearts!
******
Chris is feeling, and doing, better every day. There's still pain, but that's to be expected for a while. The light is back in eyes. No, no. Scratch that. The LIFE is back in his eyes and it's SO good to see. He's not spending all day in bed anymore. His fast-acting pain medication is being used less and less often. He's eating a little bit more than before. There's a new sense of hope in our house for the first time in months and we're holding on tight with both hands!
Keep those prayers coming!
******
Chris is feeling, and doing, better every day. There's still pain, but that's to be expected for a while. The light is back in eyes. No, no. Scratch that. The LIFE is back in his eyes and it's SO good to see. He's not spending all day in bed anymore. His fast-acting pain medication is being used less and less often. He's eating a little bit more than before. There's a new sense of hope in our house for the first time in months and we're holding on tight with both hands!
Keep those prayers coming!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Celebrating You
My precious little boy. Today is one of those rare days where I took a piece of time for myself and looked back at some of these posts on this blog from the last (almost) two years; remembering you. Celebrating you.
It still seems like only yesterday that you were wobbling around on two unsteady little legs as you pushed your "walkabout" up and down the length of the playroom, teaching yourself to walk. It seems like just last week that I snapped that picture of you sitting in your highchair with a face covered in spaghetti sauce and the devil's look in your eyes and smile! It seems like just then, but it was long ago.
There are days when it's difficult for me to look back at the baby you once where, knowing you never will be again. Those are the days when it hurts my heart to realize just how quickly you are growing up, how soon your first day of school will be upon us, complete with your first lunch box and first real friend.
There are days (most days) when my heart breaks to think that you may really be my only baby. That it may really just be you. Baby boy, my precious baby boy, trust me when I tell you it's not that you're not enough for me (for I consider myself the luckiest mom in the world to have you), it's just that this isn't something I ever wanted for you. I wanted so much more for you. I never wanted for you to be an only child. I wanted to give you your best friend, your built-in playmate, your companion with which to walk through life. But I'm realizing, slowly, that life may have other plans in store for us. And in my heart, I know that that will be okay too. For you, Shane Patrick, you are the flame on my candle, on our candle, and you are all the light we need.
But still, looking back and realizing the details of the moments that have already slipped through my mind, I'm glad to have this blog, this comfort place for me. It's good to have a place to come back to, to be with the you that you once were - on the days when my heart is strong enough to visit there.
And so today I celebrate you. The you you are today. The you at almost 3 years old. My silly little boy who has found a new fondness in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. The you that asks for "two treats" at bedtime; "two nanas. two puffs. two fishies" The you that makes my heart melt at the end of the day when you first catch a glimpse of me as I walk in to pick you up from daycare and how your face lights up enough to brighten even the darkest room. The you that still loves to dance and "sing" to the Wiggles; the you that knows which song, which dance step, is next - long before it comes. The you that wants to play in the pool, outside, even though it's only March.
It still seems like only yesterday that you were wobbling around on two unsteady little legs as you pushed your "walkabout" up and down the length of the playroom, teaching yourself to walk. It seems like just last week that I snapped that picture of you sitting in your highchair with a face covered in spaghetti sauce and the devil's look in your eyes and smile! It seems like just then, but it was long ago.
There are days when it's difficult for me to look back at the baby you once where, knowing you never will be again. Those are the days when it hurts my heart to realize just how quickly you are growing up, how soon your first day of school will be upon us, complete with your first lunch box and first real friend.
There are days (most days) when my heart breaks to think that you may really be my only baby. That it may really just be you. Baby boy, my precious baby boy, trust me when I tell you it's not that you're not enough for me (for I consider myself the luckiest mom in the world to have you), it's just that this isn't something I ever wanted for you. I wanted so much more for you. I never wanted for you to be an only child. I wanted to give you your best friend, your built-in playmate, your companion with which to walk through life. But I'm realizing, slowly, that life may have other plans in store for us. And in my heart, I know that that will be okay too. For you, Shane Patrick, you are the flame on my candle, on our candle, and you are all the light we need.
But still, looking back and realizing the details of the moments that have already slipped through my mind, I'm glad to have this blog, this comfort place for me. It's good to have a place to come back to, to be with the you that you once were - on the days when my heart is strong enough to visit there.
And so today I celebrate you. The you you are today. The you at almost 3 years old. My silly little boy who has found a new fondness in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. The you that asks for "two treats" at bedtime; "two nanas. two puffs. two fishies" The you that makes my heart melt at the end of the day when you first catch a glimpse of me as I walk in to pick you up from daycare and how your face lights up enough to brighten even the darkest room. The you that still loves to dance and "sing" to the Wiggles; the you that knows which song, which dance step, is next - long before it comes. The you that wants to play in the pool, outside, even though it's only March.
The you that will still climb up in my lap on the occassional night for a few minutes of cuddle time before you drift off to sleep. Those are still my favorite moments. Sometimes I think you give them to me just to please me. Thank you.
Thank you for being you. And thank you for giving me so many reasons to celebrate you. To celebrate life.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Better Every Day
We've been home from the hospital since Saturday afternoon and the difference in Chris each day is amazing.
In many ways, he's a new man.
It's obvious that the embolization has been a success! While he's still having severe pain in his liver, this time the pain is a "healing pain", a "the tumors are shrinking" kind of pain, it's a good pain this time. He's able to eat without having pain and nasuea. His body doesn't hurt all over anymore. His blood pressure is becoming steady and his BP meds have been decreased again. He's awake more than 30 minutes at a time. He can eat an entire can of Beefaroni (I know, I know, but he needs to GAIN weight, remember!!) without getting sick. His liver used to be hard as rock before this procedure, you could actually feel the outline of it just by running your hand over his abdomen - here we are, just a week later, and his liver is already so much softer!! He's a man on the mend and we're SO thankful to the Dr's at Sloan-Kettering for giving Chris his life back!
We're actually looking forward to meeting with Dr. G at the end of April to see the progress and to schedule the embolization for the left side of his liver. We're actually excited to go through this again, because while traumatizing in so many ways, we can ALREADY see the benefit in it and we're eager to have that clean slate, even if just for a few years. It's good to know that his liver should never again get to be as bad as it was. This is a new starting point for us. We're hoping this is the turn in events that we've been (not so) patiently waiting for.
We're ready to take back our life. We're ready to enjoy the summer lounging around in the backyard with our son. We're anxious to drive into Manhattan for PLEASURE, not for a Dr. appt! Today may very well be the first day of the rest of our life!
In many ways, he's a new man.
It's obvious that the embolization has been a success! While he's still having severe pain in his liver, this time the pain is a "healing pain", a "the tumors are shrinking" kind of pain, it's a good pain this time. He's able to eat without having pain and nasuea. His body doesn't hurt all over anymore. His blood pressure is becoming steady and his BP meds have been decreased again. He's awake more than 30 minutes at a time. He can eat an entire can of Beefaroni (I know, I know, but he needs to GAIN weight, remember!!) without getting sick. His liver used to be hard as rock before this procedure, you could actually feel the outline of it just by running your hand over his abdomen - here we are, just a week later, and his liver is already so much softer!! He's a man on the mend and we're SO thankful to the Dr's at Sloan-Kettering for giving Chris his life back!
We're actually looking forward to meeting with Dr. G at the end of April to see the progress and to schedule the embolization for the left side of his liver. We're actually excited to go through this again, because while traumatizing in so many ways, we can ALREADY see the benefit in it and we're eager to have that clean slate, even if just for a few years. It's good to know that his liver should never again get to be as bad as it was. This is a new starting point for us. We're hoping this is the turn in events that we've been (not so) patiently waiting for.
We're ready to take back our life. We're ready to enjoy the summer lounging around in the backyard with our son. We're anxious to drive into Manhattan for PLEASURE, not for a Dr. appt! Today may very well be the first day of the rest of our life!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Better Day
I got the hospital this morning around 7:30 and was happy to see Chris standing (and wearing pants!) when I got up to his room!
His blood pressure is stable (139/84) though they do have him on 400mg of BP medication 3x/day! They're hoping to start weaning him off of that today.
He's in some pain, but it's tolerable. He was also feeling a bit nauseous this morning, but an IV drip of Reglan quickly took care of that problem! We even walked the halls for a few minutes this morning!
Dr. G has stopped by already to say again how pleased he is with the results already. Every bit of tumor on the right side of his liver is dead! He said he just really couldn't be happier and that he wants to do the left side in 6 weeks or so if Chris is feeling up to it. He wants to get the left side done before it gets as out of hand as the right side was.
So, the goal today is to wean Chris down on the BP meds, wean him off the pain pump, get him eating and get him walking. If we can manage to do all of that than maybe we really can get out of here tomorrow!
We'll continue to keep everyone posted. Please continue to keep Chris in your prayers.
His blood pressure is stable (139/84) though they do have him on 400mg of BP medication 3x/day! They're hoping to start weaning him off of that today.
He's in some pain, but it's tolerable. He was also feeling a bit nauseous this morning, but an IV drip of Reglan quickly took care of that problem! We even walked the halls for a few minutes this morning!
Dr. G has stopped by already to say again how pleased he is with the results already. Every bit of tumor on the right side of his liver is dead! He said he just really couldn't be happier and that he wants to do the left side in 6 weeks or so if Chris is feeling up to it. He wants to get the left side done before it gets as out of hand as the right side was.
So, the goal today is to wean Chris down on the BP meds, wean him off the pain pump, get him eating and get him walking. If we can manage to do all of that than maybe we really can get out of here tomorrow!
We'll continue to keep everyone posted. Please continue to keep Chris in your prayers.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Finally
As of 1:30 this afternoon, Chris is in his room and is resting comfortably. His blood pressure is still a little higher than they'd like (140's/90's), but compared to yesterday (and even this morning) he's doing well.
The catheter in his artery finally came out around noon and while we were down in interventional radiology having that done, Dr. G. stopped me to say how pleased he was already with the looks of the CT scan they did of his liver this morning. He was really excited about the difference in the tumors already, and it hadn't even been 24 hours yet! He was so pleased he was telling everyone on the floor how well things were going!!! He also said he couldn't wait to show Chris and I the difference in the before and after scans at our next clinical appointment with him in early April! This news alone makes up for all the turmoil in the last 36 hours!!!
Right now the goal is to monitor his blood pressure and his pain. If all goes well and they're able to get a handle on both, then they'll let him go home on Friday, that's the soonest they'll let him out. So we'll see. We're both missing our little guy like crazy and we're anxious to get him back in our arms where he belongs!
Thank you for all the prayers, calls, support and good thoughts over the last few days. They mean a lot to us. Keep them coming!
The catheter in his artery finally came out around noon and while we were down in interventional radiology having that done, Dr. G. stopped me to say how pleased he was already with the looks of the CT scan they did of his liver this morning. He was really excited about the difference in the tumors already, and it hadn't even been 24 hours yet! He was so pleased he was telling everyone on the floor how well things were going!!! He also said he couldn't wait to show Chris and I the difference in the before and after scans at our next clinical appointment with him in early April! This news alone makes up for all the turmoil in the last 36 hours!!!
Right now the goal is to monitor his blood pressure and his pain. If all goes well and they're able to get a handle on both, then they'll let him go home on Friday, that's the soonest they'll let him out. So we'll see. We're both missing our little guy like crazy and we're anxious to get him back in our arms where he belongs!
Thank you for all the prayers, calls, support and good thoughts over the last few days. They mean a lot to us. Keep them coming!
Long Day
I'm happy to say that yesterday Chris finally had the embolization procedure done on the right side of his liver. As we speak, the tumors that were embolized are starting to die and we should hopefully get 18-24 months before they return and before Chris will need another embolization on that side.
I'm not so happy to say that the procedure didn't go as well as they'd like. There were a few complications related to his blood pressure and yesterday turned into a very long and stressful day.
About 90 minutes after I left Chris in the procedure room, Dr. G came out to say that Chris's blood pressure was 200/130 and that they were having a hard time controlling it. They finally wheeled him back up to recovery at around 1:45. They wouldn't let us in to see him until 6. that was an incredbily long 5 hours. In that five hours they tried every medication possible, and still his blood pressure was 190/120. FINALLY, they started an IV drip, and the next time we saw him, at 8, his pressure was down to 139/90. At that point, we went out and grabbed a quick dinner and got back to Chris's side around 10. His BP was the same at that point and he was going to be riding out the night in recovery.
The other component here is that his blood pressure skyrocketed before they were able to remove the catheter from his artery. This was the catheter from which they did the embolization. Once his blood pressure became so elevated, it wasn't safe to remove the catheter without putting Chris's life at risk. Because of the catheter, he has to remain flat on his back and not move. His leg is actually in an immobilizer. The hope is that his blood pressure would've gotten low enough overnight to be able to remove the catheter this morning. After the catheter is removed, he'll go back to recovery for a few hours and will then finally make his way into a room.
This is all uncommon for embolization procedures. While it is common for a patients blood pressure to become elevated during/after the procedure, it's not common for it to take so long for it to come back down. Embolization patients don't normally spend longer than 4 hours in recovery, let alone the entire night. That's my husband, never doing anything the easy way!
When we left him last night he was still pretty groggy from the anesthesia and all the medications. He was complaining of his mouth being dry (they don't want him to have anything to drink while he's lying flat on his back and still so groggy), but he was having some ice chips to combat that problem. His biggest complaint, by far, was the back pain he was experiencing from having to lie flat on his back for all this time. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to be able to get up and move around once this catheter is removed.
All in all, it was a long, stressful, day - but it's over and this emoblization should help Chris immensely with the pain and discomfort he's been having. These last few weeks haven't been easy for us and we're looking forward to a turn of events!!
I'll be heading back up to the hospital in an hour or so and will post another update as soon as I'm able, possibly even later this morning/early afternoon.
Please keep the prayers coming. Prayers for a speedy recovery and for the embolization to have been a success!
I'm not so happy to say that the procedure didn't go as well as they'd like. There were a few complications related to his blood pressure and yesterday turned into a very long and stressful day.
About 90 minutes after I left Chris in the procedure room, Dr. G came out to say that Chris's blood pressure was 200/130 and that they were having a hard time controlling it. They finally wheeled him back up to recovery at around 1:45. They wouldn't let us in to see him until 6. that was an incredbily long 5 hours. In that five hours they tried every medication possible, and still his blood pressure was 190/120. FINALLY, they started an IV drip, and the next time we saw him, at 8, his pressure was down to 139/90. At that point, we went out and grabbed a quick dinner and got back to Chris's side around 10. His BP was the same at that point and he was going to be riding out the night in recovery.
The other component here is that his blood pressure skyrocketed before they were able to remove the catheter from his artery. This was the catheter from which they did the embolization. Once his blood pressure became so elevated, it wasn't safe to remove the catheter without putting Chris's life at risk. Because of the catheter, he has to remain flat on his back and not move. His leg is actually in an immobilizer. The hope is that his blood pressure would've gotten low enough overnight to be able to remove the catheter this morning. After the catheter is removed, he'll go back to recovery for a few hours and will then finally make his way into a room.
This is all uncommon for embolization procedures. While it is common for a patients blood pressure to become elevated during/after the procedure, it's not common for it to take so long for it to come back down. Embolization patients don't normally spend longer than 4 hours in recovery, let alone the entire night. That's my husband, never doing anything the easy way!
When we left him last night he was still pretty groggy from the anesthesia and all the medications. He was complaining of his mouth being dry (they don't want him to have anything to drink while he's lying flat on his back and still so groggy), but he was having some ice chips to combat that problem. His biggest complaint, by far, was the back pain he was experiencing from having to lie flat on his back for all this time. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to be able to get up and move around once this catheter is removed.
All in all, it was a long, stressful, day - but it's over and this emoblization should help Chris immensely with the pain and discomfort he's been having. These last few weeks haven't been easy for us and we're looking forward to a turn of events!!
I'll be heading back up to the hospital in an hour or so and will post another update as soon as I'm able, possibly even later this morning/early afternoon.
Please keep the prayers coming. Prayers for a speedy recovery and for the embolization to have been a success!
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