Rough Times!!
Dear Fods,
Sorry for not posting, but to say that we have had our hands full here is an absolute understatement. Debbie awoke on Friday morning in excruciating pain in her back and abdomen. She literally could not move out of bed. We loaded her up with dilaudid and after about 1/2 hour, the three T's were able to get her up. We were scheduled to be at HUP for blood and platelets anyway and we headed off about 1 hour later than expected, i.e., 7:30 AM.
We arrived at HUP at about 9:00 and Debbie was in so much pain that she was shaking and wretching. All of her friends helped to get her immediately into a room and administered IV dilaudid and adavan for the nausea. In 15-20 minutes, she was resting comfortably and waiting for the blood products to be delivered and administered -- which we did for the next 6 hours.
Because of the pain, Debbie was scheduled for an exploratory procedure with interventional radiology as soon as the blood products were completed. As a precaution, I admitted her to HUP in case they needed to operate on the gall bladder. IR completed their procedure and there was no problems with the gall bladder, the drainage tube or any of the tissue surrounding the gall bladder. The pain is simply not diagnosed. Dr. Porter wanted to have Debbie stay at HUP and they would do a full abdomenal work up, but Debbie simply refused to say. She knew that nothing would happen over the weekend and she does not want to do any more HUP time. The IR nurse gave us some more IV dilaudid and we wheeled ourselves out of there for the long ride home.
Debbie slept well on Friday night after her exhausting day, although the pain is constant. She is laying on her back in bed with different combinations of 4-5 pillows to try to stay comfortable. She tried to moderate her dilaudid intake yesterday and was in pain for most of the day. Today she met the "Pain Nazi!" We will stay ahead of the pain today.
While lying in bed this morning Debbie yelped and then there was a huge gush of blood from another round of problems from her lower regions. She bled through everything in 20 seconds. Not the way to start your day. We reloaded on the pain medication, showered, dressed and had some pancakes for breakfast with her morning pills. She was able to stay awake for a few hours and has been sleeping for the past 4 hours. She is stirring now and we will try to go for a short walk out to the mailbox.
With the slightest exertion, Debbie needs to take O2 which we have in tanks upstairs and a compressor in the kitchen. Debbie will need constant attention at home until she starts to improve, or she will need to be readmitted to HUP. Jester will meet us at HUP on Tuesday afternoon for the Porter visit and will stay the week to take care of Deb, if she is still at home. If she is home the following week, we will need to send out for the calvary.
Debbie sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 2:01 PM
38 Comments:
im so, so, sorry that you have to go through all of this deb, and it must be so hard for the rest of you teks to see debbie in so much pain! Did they check everything with the IR testing? Wonder if it's all related some how to the "women problems" you have mentioned..in any case, just want you all to know how badly i feel for you, and how the prayers will be kicked up a notch again today.. love, mdf
joe thank you so much for the update. you all are never far from my thoughts. kathi
Dear Debbie & all the T's
So sorry to hear about this latest development. I can fully understand Debbie refusing to stay at HUP. OK I'm no nurse but this back pain has got to do with the girl problems, things need to be taken care of darn it! Debbie, will make sure to notch up the prayers for you again. It's 4.31.. all the FODs will get the conference call going again.
I've just noticed MDF's posting saying it's women problems also.. do we have to tell HUP everything?!!!
Lots & lots of love, Keep on, keeping on....visitor alison.
Dear Debbie, YIKES! You have been through so much....wish there was a way I could help. Please call if I can do anything. You and the family are always in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Trudy (BINGO is Tuesday - that should make you smile!!)
For crying out loud, Chiz!
I am so sorry to hear that you are having such a bad go of it. I third (or is it up to fifth?) the motion that it must have something to do with the girl problems. Just say yes to the pain nazi until the docs can figure it out. You are in my prayers until then.
If you need me - just have Joe sound the bugle and I'll charge right over...
I love you, honey.
(Thanks to all the T's for being so steadfast and devoted - God bless you all.)
K
Joe:
This is Mike Naughton. Edie and/or I are able to take at least a week off from work to come and be with Debbie, and do nursing duties. I am also proficient at pain management. It would not be an inposition, so please let us know. We would be honored to be of assistance
Dear Deb and Joe:
So sorry to hear about your rough time this weekend. Joe, if you need anyone to come up and help Debbie, we're all willing to do whatever you need. We can take her back and forth to HUP - whatever. Just call. (But we don't do dishes, windows or toilets - well, if Deb asks, we'd probably do it.)
Deb, you're gonna get through this. Just hang in there and keep praying! And know that when you're sleeping, we'll be doing the praying for you!
Much love,
Susie, Jeanne, Mom and Dad
oh deb....somehow this has got to get better..i pray for you daily...love you ,bren
This really stinks, we need to get to the bottom of what this pain is. I am here to help out when needed, even if Jess wants me to watch the kids so she can help out with Deb. I am around the corner please do not hesitate to call me. Jenny
May does this STINK! I thought things would be looking better and better with each passing day, but you just can't get a break! I don't understand how this back pain and the womanly problems are still out of control! Why can't HUP help with this?
I live right around the corner from you and would love to come help. I'm not sick anymore (just a teeny tiny cough, but your counts are up so this shouldn't be a factor) and would love to come help. We could be on strike anytime now, so I might have extra time anyway. Any I have no restrictions on dishes, windows and toilets! PLEASE, call me and let me know when I can come help. In the meantime, hang in there! As always, you are in my prayers.
Lisa
Deb,
We are so sorry to hear that the pain persists and hope that things will get better soon. We are always thinking about you and check the blog every day.
Love , Larry , Marianne , Dave , Bob, Jamie, and Brian.
Dear Debbie,
I woke up this morning and my first thought was, Debbie has a prolapsed Uterus and needs a Gilleann suspension!!! Ha.. no idea where that came from.can only be one of the following options
(1) Divine intervention and a message from above ... mmmh ya never know his nibs works in mysterious ways!
(2) I fell asleep watching some medical show last night!...maybe?!
or
(3) You are always on my mind asleep or awake and reading the blog I am submliminally starting to think like a nurse/doctor!! lol!!!
Oh if it were as simple as waking up with the answers! I hope and pray that you get relief soon. You need to be home and not at HUP.
Rick I see what you mean about the "girls"... interesting .... so just who did clean the toilets in your house while you boys were locked in the room waiting for raw meat lol!!
Debbie, this stage will pass too, as soon as HUP gets to the bottom of this pain .. it may take an army of shovel waving FODs but you will be better soon....
lots & lots of love, visitor alison.
The "cavalry" is on call and awaiting your beck and call...I can't tell you enough times ,please ,please ,please take advantage of "the nurses" ,we are many and at your disposal. I checked the site yesterday and there was no word of all this,I guess it was too early. I continue with prayers and positive thoughts as always...any posibility of a doctor up here so you don't have to schlep down to HUP all the time( it must be grueling,not just for Deb,but for all of you)???Maybe "new blood" can shed new light! I'm on call if you need anything LOve and Prayers XXOO:)Bev
Dear Debbie,
Please let me know if you want any help. I can take time off. It would not be a problem.
Love,
Susan
Pain, pain, go away...and DON'T COME BACK!!!
Ditto Bev's thoughts. Would it be easier to at least get your bloodwork and transfusions done closer to home? Then again, the devil you know... or however that saying goes.
Prayers continue for all of you. Prayers for healing, prayers for patience & wisdom, prayers of thanks for family and friends and dilaudid and the pain nazi. Listen to him. He's got your best interest at heart.
I, too, am willing to do whatever would be helpful. Love & prayers, Mussie
The Smith's are also lined up to help with cleaning and cooking. I could make a nice cup of tea too!
We are always thinking of you.
Your Friends Donna
and Kevin
Hey, Deb & Wonderful Family:
Yes, the Cavalry is armed & ready for mobilization. Please, before you all become exhausted, allow us to help with driving to HUP, laundry, cleaning, cooking, even care giving... "the nurse's specialty." Or, how about a nice pedicure for Jessie, too??
What you all truly need, we may not be able to give; but, know that prayers & love are always with you. Miss you, Debbie, so much. Love, Lee-Lee
and still we carry you.. one set of footprints in the sand, soon to be two again...
Debbie and family:
I am so sorry to be so late in posting. Arrived home from Tam's wedding late Sunday evening and have been catching up since. Just checked my home emails and found that I was a day late on reading your blog.
Debbie...my heart is aching for you and the family. How could someone have so many complications? I just feel for you. The thought of getting up for pancakes and a walk to the mailbox after all that restlessness and pain. My prayers and constant thoughts of you I hope will help bring you comfort.
Saw your cousin Mickey, Bev, Tam and Matthew over the weekend. They all send their love. Of course we talked about you and how worried we are for everyone at your house. We had a lovely visit and the bride was a beauty. Mom of course just loved being there and visting and meeting the grooms family.
Like I haven't been away enough...Dave and I head for Cabo on Wednesday as he has one of those..."boonedoggles" with that "Reinsurance Company" they formed. Joe will remember our conversation about that. They have to meet outside of the US 4X per year. This trip I decided I needed to go along on...practice my spanish and leave a few days early for. I will check in to see how things are going.
Today me and the princess went shopping for a dress for homecoming and outfits for the parade and the presentation at the half...needless to say it was a struggle.
Colin actually has a date...with a sweet girl from his grade school. I think I mentioned her earlier as she is a cancer survivor of osteosarcoma. She is sweet and short...4'10". Should be a sight!
I think that is all I have to report. Hang tough! I hope you get the card soon that I sent. Of course I got more pictures today these of Bee and his football team.
Much love and prayers. COD Eileen
Dear Deb ,Joe and Family;
Oh Boy Debbie hang in there, we are all praying, we all love you ,
and feel the struggle and pain with you.
Joe and your family ,I love you all for your patience and care for Debbie.
God Bless you all.
BIG HUGS
Your Aunt Angie
Hey Chiz-
A late check in here just to say I'm thinking of you like crazy and hoping that the tide has turned and you are feeling better. Hope tomorrow is an easier trip to HUP and that good news awaits.
Just finished cleaning up after dinner. Mr. Hal is back in town with Ronan (from Ireland - thinking of you Allison)after a day in Rochester meeting the Wegman people. I spent the morning at the vet w/ Boudie. He is having a foot problem and yada-yada-yada.
You have been in my heart all day, love. Today's word:
COURAGEOUS: Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. ICorinthians 16:13.
Once again the Daily Word seems to capture the moment and I hope it helps you see your way clear at this time.
I love you, love you, love you.
Hope to talk/see you soon.
K
Dear Deb,
I am so sad to hear that you have been having such a hard time at home. I wish there was a way to transfer your pain to all of your FODs. Here's hoping things start to turn around. As always you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday and especially at 5 pm/ Even while in Cape Cod, Mom and I stopped and said a prayer for you, usually someplace along the water.
love, hugs, and prayers,
jean
Dear Debbie,
Thinking of you all the time.. hope you are getting relief.
Lots of love, visitor alison
Just checking in to say hi,and tell you we love you and hope and pray that you are feeling even a teeny bit better....hope your trip down to HUP was not too uncomfortable and you got some answers...don't forget the "on call" people are waiting to hear from you..love and hugsXXOO :)Bev
Dear Deb, it's 2:00 AM. The prayers for your stengthend health and well being continue day and night.
deb dreaming of you again! this dream had you and dear fod "chintzy" flying pt.s in helicopters to hup. "chintzy" was the pilot and you were gathering a sweet little old lady up in your arms [her robe kept flying open??] to transport her. "chintzy" was growing impatient b/c apparently you were talking to the family for quite some time. so there you have it. always in our thoughts, dreams and heart of hearts....i hope that you get to the mailbox today and find brad pitt all rolled up in a ball waiting for you to pull him out. donald and roberto were asking for you, i told him we would be in for christmas.....xoxoxoxoxoxo
Dear Debbie,
Checking in, hoping you are doing better. Lots of hugs & love coming your way.
Visitor Alison
Thanks for the update. Here I thought over the weekend you were home and enjoying it and you were in such pain and agony. Life isn't fair. I too say come on menopause - you don't need that on top of everything else. Joe, I can't do much during the week, but if you need help during the weekends, I can surely come over to help out. Just let me know. Deb, the prayers will be pumped up for more relief. Love Shelly
Brad Pitt ? I would hope for Harrison Ford. Now there is a special delivery !!
Dear husband and Deb,
Last night our church finished 40 Hours of Devotion. I made the children (14 sixth grades) go over and pray. Their assignment was to say three prayers. One for themselves, one for the nation, and one for my friend. The little red head boy, who hasn't seen a barber in several years, reminded me we pray for my friend every week. I said yes, we do. And we will continue to next week as well. He then replied, that lady must be pretty special. And she is !
Like so many of your friends and followers, multiple prayers are being said for Deb and your family, multiple times a day. When you all are ready, so is the cavalry. Just let us know.
With love, Ruthie Mc.
Hey Debbie:
Hoping for a new update soon!
Hope you are improving and pain free!
Just a thought, Maybe you have a pinched nerve in your neck/back? Do you know of any chiropractors or osteopathic DRs. that could give you a good spinal adjustment? It works wonders and saved me from back surgery when I had sciatica! Give it a try!
Take Care!
Good Wednesday afternoon, I suppose you are at HUP now , I'm loathe to think of you having to trek down there every other day. Keeping you in my heart and prayers always ...love you XXOO :)Bev
Anon-
Okay, cue the Twilight Zone music.
Funny you should be dreaming about Chiz and her trusty sidekick Chintzy...Why?
Because the last week Chiz was at HUP we got to speak and one of the topics of our conversation was dreams and hallucinations.
If you will recall she was having some bad a$$ hallucinations from her meds and we talked about the difference between dreams and hallucinations. I mused at the time that I hadn't dreamt since starting on a seizure med several years ago.
Well that was that.
Until I started dreaming again - just last week, the day she was discharged from HUP.
Even more weird? I got a chance to speak with her today (all too briefly-she's still feeling awfully puny) and we talked about my dreams and are you ready for this...ROBES!!!!!
Then to read about your dream where a robe was a prominent feature well, it just gave me the goosebumps.
Coinky-dink? I think not.
Yours in dreamland-Chintzy aka Kris
Inquiring minds want to know - who are Donald and Roberto?
Dear Debbie,
Well I have to chime in after the coinky dink girl!!! Goosebumps all around... and I believe it all... cause we all know there was some coniky dink that brought us here... Debbie... our hearts are aching as your body is... but we know you will pull through this bout... sure aren't all the signs there!
Here are some coinky dinks for the rest of ye FODs...
It was cousin Eileen who was the first to comment after I revealed my identity (Sherlock Holmes style!)... and became visitor alison instead of visitor from Rhodes 6.. just go back and check how many times myself and cousin Eileen are within a blog of each other since...
Mo & Bob... I actually think I've seen you in HUP..just from hearing about dates/visits I believe I have.. and guess what my hubbys family is from Scranton.. I have visited there several times.
Rick.. I know I know you and you were in the same class(year) as me in Ireland..lol.. at least your Irish twin was!
People who know my sister-in-law Lynne visit this site, people I have never met....
Small world..more than that..
I could go on and on about the FODS, connections, unexplainable coinky dinks.. (hope you don't mind me exploiting the word Kris.) Aunt Angie yesterday I just found an old poem I had from a dear friend about turning 80... I will have to post it you will love it..
anywho....after a long winded way, can I possible say it....
Every entry on this blog has been a part of Debbie's journey,
Every click, every word, every moment spent has been proof of just how wonderful and incredible and unbelievable this world of ours truly is...and every connection is living proof of the incredible light you shine on this world Debbie.. we are ALL drawn to you... so when it seems like the pilot light is about to extinguish... you push the red button on the furnace to kick start again.... cause a whole house full of people is waiting to share your warmth...
This little light of mine...
Lots of love Debbie, visitor alison.
well miss chintzy,roberto and donald have often been our hosts at the mainland inn. they are handsome, charming and make a mean martini! that's no hallucination. in my dream last night, when i say you were growing impatient, the vision was you half hanging out of the copter in an aviator jacket yelling "lets get going"....the wind from the chopper blades kept blowing the little womans robe open. debbie was smiling and comforting the family member who she was kidnapping! it was a good dream, comforting. i usually don't remember most of my dreams but this one i can still see. so, there you have the whole story. i am off to bed and dreamland to see where you and debbie are off to next! peace, love and kisses to all t's and k's. [khouri's]
Deb & Family:
It's amazing how a disease can consume more than tolerance & understanding allows. I truly know how draining this all is.... I'm so very, very, sad & sorry. KNOW THAT THESE WORDS SCREAM LOUDLY OF LOVE FOR YOU ALL. I pray that strength & comfort come your way. What else, Anything??? Lee-Lee
good afternoon deb,
been thinking of you all week. little crazy here but always take a few minutes to admire your grandchildren hanging in my office and say a prayer for you. Instead of a coffee break I take a debbie break. by the way my cousin who was adopting her little girl from russia brought her home at the end of september. she is adorable, loves her new family and is melting right into family life. i can't wait to spend some time with our new addition to the extended family.
by the way the last note was from me.
love, hugs, and prayers,
jean
Hey Chiz -
Thinking, thinking, thinking of you and hoping that things are better for you today...
Today's Word seemed like ANOTHER one that was tailor made for you so I'm taking the liberty of posting it here for all to see. I pray your BALANCE is being restored as we speak and that your BACK is feeling better...
Faith
I have faith in God to restore a perfect balance in all and through all.
God is the One Presence, the One Power in the universe. Each time I let the focus of my thoughts be on the power of God to create and to sustain all life and all nature, my faith is renewed.
I have faith that the Power that keeps the movements of the planets and stars in balance also helps me keep the activities of my life in order. I have faith that the Presence that balances nature, works in and through the people I care about to restore stability. I have faith that there is nothing beyond God’s power to heal, comfort, strengthen, soothe, provide, and guide.
With faith in God, I am at peace.
“Happy are those … whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever.” —Psalm 146:5-6
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