New Day?

It's a new day ........ sort of.  The catheter is out.  But we're still waiting to get up and get walking around.  Neither one of us slept last night, and now that it's day, again, there is a knock on the door every 15 minutes.  So much for a nap.

Anyway, the docs now believe that the pain meds were only contributing to the dopiness.  It would appear that the miracle drug Prograf has been behind her lessened mental and neurological functions.  The doctor has put in the order to start to decrease her dose when he saw that the blood labs were real high in Prograf.

Christy's nurse wants to get us out for a walk around the floor after lunch (12:30/1:00?).  I have now been told that once she gets to moving around, she can come off the vitals monitor.  That darn thing is the cause of a lot of sleeping issues.  If there is any change in Christy's breathing pattern, which is normal going from a waking to a sleeping state, it alarms.  If Christy rolls on her side, IT ALARMS!!!  Not a very intelligent machine.  So I trained myself on how to operate it.  I found that you can adjust how sensitive it is.  And when Christy is awake, I make it "relearn" her breathing pattern.  When she's asleep, "relearn" again.  When you're in ICU and constantly asleep there is no problem with it.  

My next task is to master the I.V. machine.  Talk about an overly sensitive piece of equipment. Even the slightest variation in the flow of solution sets it off.  Just take my word for it, it's as annoying as it is useful and necessary.  I've learned how to clear a few of the alarms, and I'm still learning.

I spoke with Christy's mother, Gail, this morning.  She is doing very well.  She's up and walking around.  She's even been on the treadmill a bit.  Gail said she hasn't taken any pain killers since Tuesday.  Amazing, it is.

On that note, Christy's pain is minimal anymore.  She hasn't taken anything for pain since late last night.  But it made her high, and she wanted the computer.  So I gave in and put it in her lap.  She ended up just staring at it with her fingers poised on the keys.  I typed in the blog address for her so she could read it.  Again, blank stare.  Must be some GOOD drugs.

Okay, the nurse just came in and out again.  She said she'll try to run interference and keep people out so we can rest a bit.  I'm going to do that.

One last thing:  Charlie The Unicorn episode 2.  Yes, it just as stupid, and just as educational.  I think the moral to these stories is this:  Never trust a unicorn.

Jason

God's timing

Okay, after that last post I have decided that Christy is not coming anywhere near this keyboard tonight.  And possibly not tomorrow either.  Let's just say that the last several hours have been quite troublesome.  She got to speak to Casey on the phone for a little bit, but all the meds are still having their effect on her.  Just after snapping this photo, I had to hold the phone for her; her strength was quickly giving out.

Just after that is when things got difficult.  I won't go into detail, but I was getting stretched thin.  I was heading down to the cafeteria to get something to eat, and the second I step outside our room, a very dear friend, Jack, from church was coming down the hall.  No one has more perfect timing than God.  So Jack hung around just long enough to get me some chow and pray with us.  It was everything I needed at exactly the right time.  It could not have been more perfect.

Christy is still on contact isolation, so disposable gowns and gloves are worn when in the room.  For those who may not know, everytime you cross the threshold, you wash your hands and put on a new gown and gloves.  I've got it relatively easy:  I don't have to wear a mask or bonnet or shoe covers.  That makes a difference.  I can't kiss her.  Probably shouldn't hug her.  When I touch her, I'm wearing gloves.  I'm really missing that stuff.

The Attending just agreed to change her pain med.  The old stuff was knocking her out.  So that gives a little hope to me getting her out of the bed tomorrow.  I'm setting our next milestone at getting her catheter removed.  Getting that removed is the next big step.  But to do that, she's got show that she can walk around and be mobile.  Please pray for these things.

I just ate some half decent sushi from the cafeteria for a late snack.  It wasn't all that bad, but I have definitely had better.  Now that Christy is winding down, I'm going to get cleaned up and get ready to go to sleep.  Bis morgen bei freundin.

Jason

Half-way There

Sorry for the late post, folks.  I've been in the ICU with Christy all day.  2 1/2 hours of it I slept in the chair and didn't even know it.  Which reminds me, I've got phone calls to return.

Okay, big moment....for me anyway.  God has hooked us up today.  Duke just moved us to a step-down room about 30 minutes ago.  I don't have to get a hotel room tonight.  Although I would sleep better in one, I do get to stay here with my wife.

Also, Christy is AWAKE!!! She's very sluggish like a sloth and goes in and out of  sleep.  She's very coherent and aware.  Thank you God for these two things.  It has made me feel a lot better.  Christy will be making a post herself later on this evening.  She's been asking for the laptop and her phone.  Or should I say demanding.

Jason

A walk around Duke campus

Jason here...still.  It looks like Christy is spending another night in the ICU.  She's still having a hard time waking up and they still don't have a bed for her on the floor.  

I did a LOT of walking around today, and it was quite aimless I might add.  From 3 pm to 5:30 pm, ICU sent me walking.  So I wandered about just about the entire Duke campus.  I managed to go to the chapel which I have never been it.  It's a CATHEDRAL for crying out loud.  I mean, check out these photos.  Chapel.

I just got back from taking a very nice stroll where I stopped at TGIFriday's and got a little something to eat.  Some have asked about me so I will say this: Today has taken a toll on me, mainly because I didn't sleep well last night.  I am eating regularly and taking cat naps when I get in a comfortable chair.  I've got some good meds to take tonight to nip that issue.  I should be sleeping pretty soundly tonight.  It's also very frustrating that Christy is having such a hard time coming around.  But it could be more a patience issue on my part.  After all, her body is trying to decide what to do with this new organ.

So as you pray tonight and tomorrow, please remember that I would love for Christy to come around and start being more aware and coherent.  Also, I'd like her to get out of ICU.  Although the nurses there are doing a SUPERB job taking care of her, my time with her is very limited.  Their policies...even for immediate family.  

So it's after 8:30.  I'm going back in there until 10:00, when they'll kick me out for the night.

Good night, and God willing, CHRISTY will be able to brag about our room number at Duke tomorrow night.

Jason

Mom and Dad

Gail and Jackie have left the building.  Momma got to stop in to see her little girl before heading back home.  Poor Christy isn't going to remember a thing.  

I managed to get this shot of Mom and Dad while they were waiting for a wheel chair to front door.  Now if we can just get Christy to a room.

Jason

"Hump Day" Already?! UPDATED

Well, same thing as yesterday with Christy.  We're still having to remind her that she's already has her transplant.  She's still waiting for it to happen.  She's still in the ICU and we're still waiting for a bed to become available in a different ward; and this is a BIG hospital.  One nurse just mentioned in passing that the ER has been especially busy the past couple of days.

The doctors are going to reduce her pain medication, and take her off the Adavan(sp?).  At this point, the transplant doctor (not the surgeon) is getting concerned that Christy is not more aware today.  So, they're going to do a CT on her head just to be sure that everything is ok.  Please keep in mind that her nurse, who was with Christy yesterday, says that she is coming around.  All her stats are great;  Christy is doing better than yesterday.  

The doctor's that were doing the rounds spoke with me and said there's nothing to worry about.  They did agree, that although the CT is most likely not needed, that they want to do a CT just to be sure.

Gail is doing MUCH better today.  Her nausea is gone, but so is her appetite.  She's making laps on the floor with minimal assistance from Jackie.  Her doctor just came in to check on her, and he's kicking her out the door.  Gail is getting dressed and is going to see her daughter.  Now I'M ALL alone.  :(   At least until Christy wakes up.

So in celebration of Gail's early release, and because I love it so much (and there were so few comments) I'm giving you an encore presentation of Charlie the Unicorn.....yaaaaayyyy!

Issues

I promise you guys that Casey's photo in the previous post is SOOOO fake.  I put it up mainly for the comedy.  The girl knows how pull your strings with just the right look.

Anyway, I left the ICU, and Christy, about an hour ago.  They're going to keep her in there one more night.  The main problem is availability of a room.  However, Christy is still having some issues waking up.  The last "conversation" I had with her started with her wondering how they can wait longer than 4 hours to put the new kidney in her, and finishing with her being VERY  angry because nobody would give her food....or a phone.....or a computer to look up something about her condition.  It was all I could do not to laugh at her.

I'm going to turn in for the night.  We're doing real well up here and we're moving ahead.  I'll get back into the ICU just after 9 am.  Good night, all.

Jason

Bye Mom

Casey just left.  I had to send her home since she has school tomorrow.  She missed school on Monday just to be here.  Unfortunately, the Iredell county school system has a VERY strict attendance policy.  I'm busting a gut looking at this photo; she is SUCH A POSER!  She was all laughs and smiles when I took this.  Nonetheless, I hate sending her home when her mom is still in the ICU.

Speaking of which, no word yet on when they're going to move Christy.  Her dad is visiting with her at this moment, and I'm watching over her mom.

Casey and I spent some time with Christy up until 3:30, then ICU kicked us out.  She's really starting to come around now.  If we were lucky, we could get in no more than 2 lines of coherent conversation.  Because she has a such a fighting spirit, she's getting real antsy and wants to get up and move around.  Because she's still loopy, it's a challenge to get her to understand that she's got to sit still (she thinks she's at home and laid up on the couch).

As always, check back later.

Jason

Loopy Christy

Casey and I just saw Christy.  They've taken out the breathing tubes and she has started to come around.  She's now taking some pain meds and still has some anesthesia in her, so she is quite loopy; she'll say just about anything at this time.  I need to jot some of her words down and remind her of them later.  It'll be a hoot.  No I won't blackmail her.  I'm not that crazy.

Christy's stats are looking great and the folks in the ICU think they will be able to move her to step-down later today.  I will let you guys know when that happens.

Gail is more awake today, but is feeling a little nauseated.  She's looking great, and aside from the nausea, Gail is feeling pretty good.  No word yet when they'll let her go.  I'm hedging my bets that it won't be today.

Check back later on...

Jason

The Long Road To Recovery

Christy is in the ICU, and HEAVILY sedated.  Things look great and the doctors are NOT worried a bit.  Some clarification about the previous post, the new kidney doesn't perform well if it gets moved.  It is believed that that is due,  in large part, to its size; it's large, and Christy isn't.  The docs will keep her sedated to prevent her from moving, for at least 24 hours.  Once they're certain the kidney has settled in and anchored itself, they'll start to wake her up.  

I also found out that there never was any real concern for her lungs.  It appears that a pulmonologist had some input to today's procedure and didn't want to take ANY chances with 

Christy's lungs.  I reckon the surgeon translated to me what she thought was a concern.  No biggie.

Christy is also on contact isolation: clean hands, gloves, and smocks are mandatory before entering.  I gathered it's standard when dealing with a transplant patient in ICU.  When I first went in to the ICU, she heard my voice and tried to sit up (oh I felt the love).  The nurse was quick to get her to lay back down, though.  But then they insisted that I talk to her.  A little confusing.

Visiting hours, even for immediate family, is heavily restricted.  The last window to see her is from 8:30 to 10:00.  So, shortly, Casey and I will go see her one last time for the evening and then we'll turn in and call it a night.

Thanks to all of you who follow this blog, and to those who are praying for us.  Please keep praying.  As mentioned, Christy needs to stay still for the next 24 hours, and that kidney has to "settle in".

Jason

News!!

The pager went off!!! We just saw the surgeon. She said everything is fine, but the kidney is a little fragile. It doesn't take to movement very well. There is also a minor concern over her breathing. The surgeon wouldn't go into great detail other than they're going to hook her up to a different machine for ventilation. Once they're confident that she's breathing normally, they'll take out the breathing tube. She said it is nothing to worry about, though.  They are moving Mom to ICU in a little while and then we will be able to see her. I am so glad this is almost over with. Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers.

                                                                                                    -Casey

...And So It Begins...

FYI

Gail, Christy's mother and donor, just came out of surgery about 1:40pm EST.  Gail's kidney was successfully extracted and she is being moved to recovery.  Christy's surgery began at 12:50 pm EST.  So far so good.  More to come.

Ironically enough, Italian fare was the main selection in the cafeteria for lunch (see photo below).  I'm not kidding.  :o

Jason