Dmeehan update

[dmeehan]

Dmeehan is recovering nicely after a successful surgery. He was awake by 4:00, eating ice chips by 5:00-- as well as maintaining "perfect" heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, etc. without any aiding-- and out of bed (albeit not far) and in a chair by 7:30. He is uncomfortable, the pain meeds make him a little nauseous, and he has a slight insulin drip to help regulate blood sugar (normal)... overall, he is doing remarkably well.


-posted by mjeffris

 

[Allisoninoz]

I had my Ross Procedure on 22 February - last Tuesday. It's Wednesday afternoon Melbourne-time now and I came home yesterday. I felt very unwell in ICU but that memory is starting to fade as my energy levels are returning. I was on oxygen for a few days on and off until I was up and moving more. You get through it. Best wishes, Alli

 

[Guest]

Best wishes to the both of you.

 

[Jeff Edmonton]

That is very good to hear, smooth sailing I say, just rest and eat and get stronger everyday.
Prayers for those still struggling and waiting.

Jeff

 

[Greg a]

look at the three of you ..... the class of 2011 appears to rock the board...whoop-whoop

 

[Just ASK]

Great news...both for Dmeehan and Allisoninoz!

 

[Jkm7]

I read dmeehan's caring page last night and was so happy to hear he is doing well. I hope he continues a smooth recovery. He's in my thoughts.

Thank you so much for posting for him and letting us know he is safely out of surgery.

 

[dmeehan]

update on day one: dmeehan has been extubated, but is feeling nauseous and not up to visitors today. overall still doing well, and the cardiologist is pleased with progress. he is scheduled to move to the step-down unit today, but will stay the night in icu one more night if there isn't enough room (starting to seem likely).

-posted by mjeffris

 

[drivetopless]

What is his caring bridge page address? Glad so far so good~

 

[Duffey]

Thanks for the update. So far, so good!

 

[dmeehan]

here is his caring bridge address....

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/derekmeehan

 

[dmeehan]

update toward end of day one: slow day of rest & nausea, doesn't seem to be tolerating the meds very well. still doing very well overall. he was able to eat a little dinner, and that's good news. no room opened up in the step-down unit, so he'll definitely be in the icu again (he prefers the private room, so I guess it kinda works out). cardiologist said today is often the worst day, so were both looking forward to tomorrow.

-posted by mjeffris

 

[dmeehan]

What is his caring bridge page address? Glad so far so good~

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/derekmeehan

 

[spartangator]

Glad things continue to come along well overall and great that he has your support, Mike.

 

[Natina13]

Thank you so much for the updates on Dmeehan, glad he has your support. Good healing thoughts to him, Alli and Jeff.... ( Alli, you and your daughter are beautiful. Hugs from one Mom to another !)

 

[dmeehan]

morning day two: he was finally able to get some sleep, despite the best efforts of the hospital staff who seemingly test, xray, and medicate on the hour-- but only if he is trying to sleep. maybe this is a tactic to make patients want to leave?

first minor set back happened today: partially collapsed right lung. it's fairly common, and sounds worse than it is. they just need to insert a drainage tube and that will fix it--- also common, but this is worse than it sounds. overall still doing well, altho the fact that he is in a very risky time is a haunting subtext.

everything else is a little better than yesterday... most of the monitoring wires were removed this morning, he ate a good breakfast, feels less nauseous, and is more alert.

he may stay in icu one more night... I sure hope so. we can close the curtain and door, so he has a lot of privacy. with any luck, no bed will open up for him while we are here.

-mike

 

[Allisoninoz]

Day 2 post-op was a bad one for me. Day 3 was better - went to the ward and moved a little more although my eyes wouldn't stay open due to glare and drugs etc.
From Day 4 (last Friday, so a week ago), things started improving a lot. Hope the same applies ...
Good thoughts your way...
Alli

 

[dmeehan]

morning day three: mornings are tough. he was in a better place last night, but I'm hopeful for another afternoon rally. he said his pain is surprisingly low-- it's more that he is at the extremes of discomfort, weakness, and anxiety.

they let him sleep a bit more last night, so that's good news. chest x-rays show the lung is doing fine, but the tube probably won't come out today-- just in case they are needed again. only sponge baths 'till they are gone... and he is ready for a shower.

they took out the pacing wires today, which will help in his comfort. one of them had attached itself, so the pa had to win a tug-of-war challenge to get it out. he is down to the ekg leads and the sole iv (not attached to anything-- again just in case)... and the tube for his lung.

one last thing... they took off the dressing to expose the incision today. not as bad as you would expect. some bruising, and a swollen knot at the top (all normal).

he won't be going home at least until Monday (we were hoping for sunday). still has some significant milestones to reach before they let him go.

-mike

 

[dmeehan]

morning day four: wow! what a difference a day can make. his drug haze lifted early a.m., and he loves his new found clarity of mind. not only that... he feels much better. he looks like a different person today. it's crazy.

the tube in his lung comes out today (no more problems, as expected). he'll get to shower (that will make him happy). his cardiologist requested another echo, which won't happen until monday (no weekend calls for non-emergency)-- otherwise he could go home tomorrow. his physical therapist is there today.

on top of everything else... he has stopped taking his pain meds. he says there is almost no pain. this is almost unheard of... but 'stoic' is not his middle name so there isn't any reason to doubt it. his cardiologist was floored.

his surgeon said last night that his valve was much worse than they originally thought, and that he was extremely lucky to go in when he did-- because he didn't have anywhere near the 5 years they told him. he said that valves are rarely (almost never) this much worse than the tests indicate.

what do you say to the guy who literally just saved your life?

-mike

 

[Greg a]

Mike, thanks for the updates and this only proves that adage of "sooner rather than later" holds a lot of water