Wowsers. What a week.
First off, sorry it's taken me so long to update on the blog. I know most people have probably seen my updates on Instagram or Facebook, but I felt I should update here as well.
Monday.
Lauriel went in for surgery at 8.45am. We were told it would take 4.5 hours if things went smoothly. I prepped in my mind for 1.15pm. While things didn't go un-smoothly, they did have to rejig their plan a bit, and the first part of the surgery, which was meant to be performed laparoscopically, had to be be performed with your traditional full incision. It wasn't until 4pm that she was sent through to recovery, making it a seven hour surgery. The surgery did go well, and the surgeon and theatre team were happy with the final result.
For those wondering, I coped well. Amazingly. I had a wonderful support person with me (thanks Sharyn!), and we spent the morning out and about doing things. I remarked numerous times that the morning was going fast. We got to the hospital and reached the bank of elevators to go up to the surgery waiting area, when the nurse rang. She said that surgery was going well, but it was going to take longer than intended, and would hopefully be finished around 4pm. It took me about 45 minutes to stop feeling lost, but after that I went to a friend's house for a cuppa (thanks Jaime), and after what didn't feel like too long, we were headed back to the hospital.
When they wheeled Lauriel past the waiting room area, I joined my wife, finally. I told the wonderful Sharyn she could go, I'd be fine. But omg, I was NOT fine, not once I heard my wife whimpering in pain. I tell you, that was the hardest part of this whole ordeal. Nothing actually prepared me for that initial post-op phase. I criiiiiiiiiiied in the whanau (family) room, while they got her sorted. And then cried when I finally was able to be in with her. It was overwhelming to the extreme.
I gave the kids the choice of coming up or not. I rang them both and explained what to expect if they did come up. Emersyn was adamant she wanted to come up, Aidan chose not to. Emersyn arrived with the wonderful Gordana, and when she went in to Lauriel's room, she freaked out. I took her to the whanau room, and at this point Aidan messaged to say he actually did want to come up. Gordana went and got him, and when he arrived Emersyn gave him the biggest hug (she wouldn't let me touch her). Aidan went in, he too was overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed is a good word to describe Monday.
Me and the kids went home. I got in bed and bawled. Emmy got in with me. Then Aidan came in and hugged us both. Honestly, those two have been amazing.
Tuesday. 1 day post-op.
Honestly, I can't remember much about Tuesday. I think they got her to stand up, and then sit in a chair, which was a great step in the right direction. She was drugged up and slept a lot. Aidan didn't go to school that day, he wanted to be with Lauriel, and I wasn't going to say no. It did them both a lot of good.
Surgeon said her stoma looked nice and healthy, he was happy with her progress.
Wow, I really don't remember a lot about Tuesday. But I was in bed by 8pm and asleep by 9.30pm.
Oh! And she had a cup of tea! Yay!
Wednesday. 2 day post-op.
Lauriel spiked a fever overnight - just low grade, but any fever is cause for concern after surgery. They did testing to check for infection, also a chest xray. No infection was found, but chest xray found there was some stuff in her lungs (don't know what proper term is!) so they encouraged deep breathing exercises, to try and help prevent the 'stuff' turning into an infection. The surgeon was again really happy with her progress, belly and stoma were both looking/feeling like they should.
Wednesday was a pretty big day actually! Not only did she stand up, she also walked down the hallway and back again, then sat in her chair for 40-ish minutes. I think the walking is incredible, less than 48 hours post major abdominal surgery! The walking and sitting did tire her out though, so she slept a lot in the afternoon.
Perhaps the most exciting thing that happened, was that Lauriel farted! Or her stoma farted? Numerous times at that! Yay. Great indication that the bowel is waking up, and something that made us all very excited! The colostomy bag went from being flat to being blown up - it was pretty cool to see.
More tea was drunk, and she had a yogurt.
Thursday. 3 days post-op.
Bit of a weird day, for both of us. Lauriel was uncomfortable and I think due to this, and frustration, seemed quite down. A lot of people told me that day three after a surgery can be really hard, because the anesthesia has worn off, and the adrenalin has calmed down - leaving a bit of a reality check for the patient, and as I found, their loved ones.
Even with that, she made wonderful progress. The surgeon was still happy with the look/feel of abdomen/stoma, and it was agreed she could start on solid food. She had some vege soup for lunch and attempted the potato bake but said it was gross so refused to eat it, lol. Dinner she had some mashed potato (one of her faves), and some dessert that was too sweet. She also had a fortisip milkshake.
After I cried three times in the morning, because I felt useless and was worried I would hurt her by touching her in the wrong way or bumping something, I decided I needed to get out of the hospital and do something for me. So, I arranged to have coffee with one of our dear friends (hi Trish!). It was great getting out of the hospital and thinking about something other than ICU related stuff... even if for a lot of it we talked about Lauriel. I also started back at work, which gave me something else to focus on as well. I have another three shifts this week (while she is in hospital) and then I have ten(?) days off. It's nice to get back to a vague sense of normalcy for those few hours.
While I was at work, Lauriel had another walk and sat in her chair for a while. She said walking felt a bit easier, and that getting up off the bed and back into it was also easier, so yay for progress, especially on a day where she perhaps felt a little defeated. I felt sad when she told me she cried for a bit when she was in her chair, but at the same time, I'm glad she got some of that emotion out.
Tomorrow is busy for me with a couple of appts in the morning, and then work in the afternoon, so I'm feeling sad I won't get to see too much of her, but this is all part and parcel of life getting back to normal, I guess.
A huge thanks to everyone for their love and support, for all the messages, and replies to my update posts. It is so nice to know that Lauriel has so many people thinking of her - and that there are also a fair few thinking of little old me.
I really need to sleep... not ashamed to admit I will fall asleep cuddling one of Lauriel's t-shirts, cos it smells like her... I really miss having my wifey in my bed. Oh well... Maybe by this time next week she'll be home.
Love,
Emma