We left bright and early on November 2, 2017 (Friday) and arrived about 8:07 AM. They got Steve in an outpatient surgery room and started an IV and asked more questions. There was a constant parade of people through. They finally took him into surgery about 11:30. They called us about 12:30 and said surgery was completed - he only had one hernia to be repaired. It took a long time for him to get fully awake and get out of recovery. He came back to an outpatient surgery room about 3:30 PM, Kristi left us about 6:00 PM. Steve still had not been able to to pee - then he got a bad pain - bladder scan showed he now had enough fluid in his bladder that he should be able to pee. They ended up having to have a catheter inserted and that was very painful. We got to leave about 8:15 and arrived home about 9:30 PM. We spent the next three nights in the living room - Steve in his recliner and me on the couch. This made it easier for him get around.
We returned back to the VA on Monday and Steve got his catheter out. Woo Hoo! And I did not go to work this day either. He was starting to improve. We spent the next few days resting and letting him build back up.
On Tuesday the 7th of November - our back toilet backed up and we could not get it to clear. So we called the plumber and they said they would call the next day and let us know when they would arrive. We also tried to snake it out ourselves. NO luck. Then Wednesday rolled around nothing from the plumber, so I called them and they said they would not be able to get to it this week. Then we called another plumber who promised to be there Thursday before noon.
Well of course when noon arrived, there was no plumber. So I called him and he said he would be here by about 3:00 PM. That time rolled around and no show. Finally he called and said he was on his way. He got here about 4:00 and plunged the stool and it cleared1 He only charged us $50.00. We were fine with that!
Friday the 10th of November found us at Lowe's in Stillwater, had lunch at Chick Fillet and made a trip through Walmart. Saturday and Sunday were spent resting and watching football.
Monday the 13th of November, I went to work in Enid and then to a jewelry party at my Sister's. Tuesday I returned to Enid for a doctor appointment (female) and bought new walking shoes.
I was able to walk at the YMCA 4 days in a row this week and we just putzed around the house up through Saturday.
On Sunday, my sister Nancy went to the Hospital in Oklahoma City - she was in ICU on a vent - wow this was so unexpected and scary.
Steve and I did our run to Walmart and watched some football. My other sister who lives in Enid and I planned out a strategy so that we could visit Nancy on Monday.
So Monday brought work and a drive to OKC then returned home and JC met us in Perry and we all ate supper and he took Pam home.
Tuesday, Steve & I got our hair worked on at Linda's (beauty shop) and ate supper with her later. The doctor taking care of Nancy called and updated us on her condition.
Kristi and the Kids came to our house Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday - I called to check on Nancy and she was stable on the vent- no real changed to report.
We had a good supper and prepared to go to my Niece's house in Bartlesville for Thanksgiving, the next day.
Monday the 13th of November, I went to work in Enid and then to a jewelry party at my Sister's. Tuesday I returned to Enid for a doctor appointment (female) and bought new walking shoes.
I was able to walk at the YMCA 4 days in a row this week and we just putzed around the house up through Saturday.
On Sunday, my sister Nancy went to the Hospital in Oklahoma City - she was in ICU on a vent - wow this was so unexpected and scary.
Steve and I did our run to Walmart and watched some football. My other sister who lives in Enid and I planned out a strategy so that we could visit Nancy on Monday.
So Monday brought work and a drive to OKC then returned home and JC met us in Perry and we all ate supper and he took Pam home.
Tuesday, Steve & I got our hair worked on at Linda's (beauty shop) and ate supper with her later. The doctor taking care of Nancy called and updated us on her condition.
Kristi and the Kids came to our house Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday - I called to check on Nancy and she was stable on the vent- no real changed to report.
We had a good supper and prepared to go to my Niece's house in Bartlesville for Thanksgiving, the next day.
Thursday - we drove to Bartlesville (2 hours one way) and had a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner and took lots of family pictures.
On Friday, the 24th of November - Steve and I and the grandkids went to OKC to see Nancy. We also went by the nursing home and saw her roommate - this has been a very sad and difficult time.
Saturday, a neurologist called and stated Nancy was not responding to the IV Immunoglobulin Treatment for her Myasthenia Gravis. Again I was very upset and scared and worried. We decided to put up the outside Christmas lights to get our minds on something else and the grandkids were great help.
On Sunday the 26th - we met Kristi at Guthrie and had lunch at the Pizza Hut. The kids returned home with her. Steve and I went back to OKC to see Nancy - she is still on the vent and sedated. The doctors are wanting us to make some decisions.
My sisters and I mulled this over and slept poorly Sunday night. Nancy did not have an advance directive or any expression of her wishes. So we agreed that she would want to be a DNR and be kept comfortable.
Monday rolled around and Steve and I went to talk to the doctors to discuss this decision with them. Well the hospitalist and the pulmonologist talked to us and said since she had no advance directive and no medical power of attorney that they would take her off sedation (while still being ventilated) and ask her what her wishes were. They did this and she answered their questions. She did not want off the vent and did not want to be a DNR. So, actually this taking her off sedation really helped her in the long run, because then she started doing more breathing on her own and by 4:45 PM she was able to be taken off the ventilator and be on bi-pap.
What a troubling day. So glad she improved and got off the vent.
Tuesday was spent at home recovering from this emotional roller coaster.
On Wednesday the 29th, we went back to Enid to be with my sister Pam - because her husband had to have a kidney stone removed.
On Thursday the 30th of November - we went back to Oklahoma City and spent time actually visiting with Nancy about 3 hours. She was able to talk and they were trying to decide where to send her for further recuperation.
Finally this month is over and we are looking forward to December! We hope everyone stays well!
On Friday, the 24th of November - Steve and I and the grandkids went to OKC to see Nancy. We also went by the nursing home and saw her roommate - this has been a very sad and difficult time.
Saturday, a neurologist called and stated Nancy was not responding to the IV Immunoglobulin Treatment for her Myasthenia Gravis. Again I was very upset and scared and worried. We decided to put up the outside Christmas lights to get our minds on something else and the grandkids were great help.
On Sunday the 26th - we met Kristi at Guthrie and had lunch at the Pizza Hut. The kids returned home with her. Steve and I went back to OKC to see Nancy - she is still on the vent and sedated. The doctors are wanting us to make some decisions.
My sisters and I mulled this over and slept poorly Sunday night. Nancy did not have an advance directive or any expression of her wishes. So we agreed that she would want to be a DNR and be kept comfortable.
Monday rolled around and Steve and I went to talk to the doctors to discuss this decision with them. Well the hospitalist and the pulmonologist talked to us and said since she had no advance directive and no medical power of attorney that they would take her off sedation (while still being ventilated) and ask her what her wishes were. They did this and she answered their questions. She did not want off the vent and did not want to be a DNR. So, actually this taking her off sedation really helped her in the long run, because then she started doing more breathing on her own and by 4:45 PM she was able to be taken off the ventilator and be on bi-pap.
What a troubling day. So glad she improved and got off the vent.
Tuesday was spent at home recovering from this emotional roller coaster.
On Wednesday the 29th, we went back to Enid to be with my sister Pam - because her husband had to have a kidney stone removed.
On Thursday the 30th of November - we went back to Oklahoma City and spent time actually visiting with Nancy about 3 hours. She was able to talk and they were trying to decide where to send her for further recuperation.
Finally this month is over and we are looking forward to December! We hope everyone stays well!
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