After the fact, It wasn't so bad

We got to the hospital at 6am. I got the kids up at 5:15 and took them to Bud & Jane’s. They took care of getting the kids breakfast and to/from school.
I was sitting in the waiting room all by myself waiting on them to get Alan settled with his IV and in the lovely gown and cap when my Pastor walked up. I was SO GLAD to see him and have someone with me. Alan and I have been married 14 years and in that timeframe, I’ve had 5 surgeries and countless other procedures/tests in a hospital environment. But, I’ve never been on the other end, the one waiting in the waiting room. (well, other than when the kids had tubes or tonsils out, but then Alan or my mom was with me then.).

So, Pastor Ken sat and talked with me and then we both went to sit with Alan while he was in the holding room. Ken also stayed with me during the surgery until Alan came out and was in recovery. What a comfort that was. I had brought my books and even contemplated bringing my laptop, but, no way would I have been able to focus on work. Thanks Ken for being there!!

And my poor friend Syndee. I didn’t get to talk to her Friday night so she just knew from this blog that Alan was having surgery. She left work Friday morning and came to the hospital to find me, only, she didn’t know which hospital we were at. She went to one and couldn’t find me so she called the other hospital. Alan goes by his middle name so, when they looked up his name, evidently it didn’t show up. I can just imagine her frustration knowing he was at the hospital but not able to find us. Hugs to you Syndee!

Alan’s recollection of the surgery is this. “After you and Ken left they said they were going to give me some ‘I don’t care medicine”. I looked up ready to enjoy the buzz. SECONDS later a nurse asked me if I wanted some ice chips. I looked up and told her I couldn’t have any until after the surgery. I then realized I was in a different room. I saw on the clock than it was no longer 7:30, instead it was 8:40. After that, I remember everything.”

I got Alan home and fixed him a bowl of soup. He raided the refrigerator several times during the afternoon. Bud & Jane brought over some vegetable soup, cornbread, and a pie. The kids ate 3 bowls of it! I can’t say enough how appreciative I am to have had Bud & Jane.

Saturday morning:
Alan almost passed out when he took the bandage and dressing off. I had to be encouraging and tell him “It looks really good babe”. It is HUGE. It looks like someone took a diamond shaped cookie cutter to his chest. Its about an inch deep I’d say. It’s open like a big crater. I had to pack gauge in it and I just pray I did it right. That’s my only worry right now.

So, Alan is good. No real pain, just a dull ache he says. ….and with a big hole in his chest! He’s pretty depressed the way 2008 is starting out. Perhaps he’ll get all the bad stuff over with and have a good year starting soon!

Thanks for checking in….

Home from hospital

We are home from the hospital. Alan is fine. I fed him some soup and he’s already planning his next meal. He says he feels great – much better than when he went in this morning.
No time for a long update right now. More later.

Thanks for your continued prayers and well wishes.

Alan is having surgery Friday morning.

We went to the family doctor today. He wasn’t completely satisfied with how it looked so he sent Alan to a surgeon. He told us the surgeon would probably lance it again right there in the office. The surgeon took one look at it and said, “Yeap, I need to do some work on this…..but…. too much to do today.”. So, Alan is scheduled to have outpatient surgery Friday morning at 7:30.

We had to run around trying to get him thru surgery preop in record time. I had to go to ER and find a lady to register him (it was past 5:30pm) while he was at another place in the hospital having blood pressure taken and all that stuff. It was crazy. The kids were still at Bud & Jane’s, so, they were fine.

I picked up the kids, took Alan home, and took Will to basketball. We got home and I literally threw the kids in the bed. Friday morning we’ll get the kids up super early and take them over to Bud & Jane’s. They will crawl in the bed over there until time to get up for breakfast and school. I can’t thank Bud & Jane enough for taking care of all this for me. What a huge weight off my shoulders to be able to know that the kids are fine.

Alan is nervous. He hasn’t had surgery since he had his tonsils out…… in 1967. He doesn’t want to be in pain. He just wants this all over with and to never ever get this stuff again.

I missed all afternoon at work and will be out tomorrow morning. I am blessed to have a job that allows me such a flexible schedule. Of course, the work to be done is still there, but at least I can work on it during the weekend. I thought about taking the laptop to the hospital tomorrow morning, but, I doubt I could focus enough to do anything.

Thanks for your prayers,
Lysa

Doctor's appointment today

Quick update - Alan has a doctor's appointment this afternoon. We have no idea what to expect. The wound is still draining some but there's still ALOT that needs to come out. Still red, but not as bad. Still swollen, but not as bad. Pain isn't as bad either.

Still in LIMBO, We will wait and see.

I'm going with Alan to the doctor's today. Bud and Jane are picking Will and Larissa up from school. They also have their grandson Tanner. The kids are excited to spend some time with him.

Keep the prayers coming!
Lysa

Limbo limbo....

Alan woke up this am "feeling great". When we changed the dressing this morning, we got alot of infection out. (I will spare you all the lovely details on the color and the amount!)

His fever is gone.

So, we had to make a decision to see the doctor today or wait til scheduled appointment tomorrow.

We sat around all morning waiting on the nurse to call. LIMBO LIMBO. I was trying to juggle who was going to pick up the kids, were they going to Science Club, what to do afterwards, etc. Thanks so much to my good friend Julie L. who said, "Just let me know and I'll get them.". Love ya Julie!
Larissa's teacher, Julie S., also was great by offering to let them stay in her room after the Science Club meeting until someone could come get them. She even offered to bring them home. (I couldn't quite convince her to let them spend the night! LOL). Thanks so much!!!

The nurse finally called. Alan spoke to the nurse and the doctor. They said this is a GOOD SIGN and to wait til tomorrow to come in. When he goes in tomorrow, the doctor might lance it alittle more, might give him an IV to boost the antibotic, or might send him to a surgeon. So, we're back in LIMBO. Alan wants me to go with him to the doctor's, so, I've had to cancel Larissa's ortho appointment for tomorrow and now I need to find someone to pick the kids up from school tomorrow. (Bud and Jane W. - I'll be talking to you about this tonight at church!)

Its so great to be a part of a church family and to have someone who I can call since I don't have biological family closeby. Of course, my good friend Syndee would always be here for an emergency but she works on the other side of town. (Love ya Syndee!)

::sigh::: - ok, enough LIMBO for me today. I have got to get some work done now. I wish I could call in a sub for 3 days! LOL

-Lysa