I.C.U. Done/Tim W.

[TIM W.]

Hello All. It's Donna again with another update for you. Saturday morning Tim was hoping to move from I.C.U. to 6th floor. First there were no empty beds, then they got beds but had alot of the night nurses call off. Tim was finally moved to 6th floor about 4:30. He was in alot of pain overnight from the tubes in chest. He was surprised nobody said how much they hurt. The day nurse told night nurse to give him shots not morphine, but she didn't. When morning nurse came in he got his shot and loved it. The tubes were taken out at 7 am. and it helped the pain. He was walking yesterday and today (maybe to far) and was getting short of breathe. He got his lovely stockings today but hoped he wouldn't get any. He is eating and drinking no problems except some bad food.He needs a good night sleep(hopes to get tonight) and gets a shower mon.Yesterday he was starting to sound like his old self. My mom and dad took our son (nick) to see daddy today. He is 11 and misses him and worries alot. I stayed home with Micaley (she will be 2 in May) she has missed us both and was like glue to me all day today.
Thankyou again from Tim. I will let you know when he gets home.
Donna W.

 

[pillarpaul]

Sounds good, Donna and Tim. Keep up the good work. Thanks for the updates, Donna.

Paul

 

[epstns]

Donna,

Thanks for the update. It sounds like you're taking good care of your Tim for us. Keep both of you well and be sure to stay in touch.

 

[hensylee]

Thanks, Donna. Sounds like Tim is coming along. I can't recall that I had a lot of pain from the tubes, but sure did with the incisions. ugh..... Didn't hurt when they took out those tubes, but they did it so quick and didn't tell me it was going to happen so first one was pulled before I even knew it. Think we might tense up if we know it's comin so I am glad they didn't warn me. He's gonna be fine soon as he is in the room and pretty much on his own. They give you food, you eat it, but know you'll get better fare when you go home. God bless

 

[Les]

Thanks for letting us know how Tim is! Yes, aren't the stockings lovely! Glad to hear he's up and walking. That's the best and fastest way to get out of there! Best wishes!
________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[Georgia]

Congrats to Tim - the best thing about where he is now is that he can't turn back - can only forge ahead and get better.

I'm also surprised that the tubes hurt; one thing that DIDN'T bother me.

Don't be surprised if he says food at home tastes bad, too; I'm 7 weeks out and some stuff still tastes icky. It's post surgical and you just have to get through it. Get him lots of pure fruit-tasting stuff; seems to do the best. I liked soups, too, but not if salt-free. There were just a lot of things that tasted like dirt (coffee, tea, chocolate, cereal, milk and milk-based products).

Take care of yourself while he's in the hospital. Let the pros take care of him and preserve your strength for when he gets home.

Georgia

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Donna

So glad Tim is doing well. One day at a time!! I remember when Tyce came home he did lots of juice drinking....I think apple in particular. His appetite was WAY off, everything tasted terrible. Within a week he was back on track, though, and things were looking up. He never mentioned his chest tubes hurting. though.

Keep on taking good care of him!!!

Ev

 

[Bob]

Another guy up and over the mountain. Good News! Tell him to take it easy. If he can find a recliner it will help him sleep and put up with the pain. Tell him to take his pain pills. There isn't any reward for gutting it out. As far as those wonderful white stocking go I wonder if the NFL or Baseball would be interested in placing their logo on the. Anything would be better than white.

Yes, food and dirt are about the same in taste for a week or so. I liked apple juice and Wolfgang Puck soup. Anything else was a waste. Watch for the third week psuedo recovery. Thats when you begin to feel better and want to do something like get out into the garage and work. The mind may say its OK but that chest isnt anywhere ready for an ounce of stress. I am ten weeks out and still limited to ten pounds.

Dial in if you guys have any questions. Bob

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi donna!
thanks for letting us know how things are going. we are so happy tim's doing well.
please wish him our best and remind him to take it easy and rest a lot.
be well, sylvia

 

[marywoody]

Tubes Hurtt!!

Tubes Hurtt!!

I did have a problem with the chest tubes - especially on the right side. If I moved wrong, it felt like a dozen hammers hitting my funny bone at once! The nurse said the tube was (unfortunately) positioned in such a way that it was touching a nerve or two. My tubes had to stay in an extra day which didn't help. I still have problems with skin sensitivity and numbness on the right side of my chest, but it is getting better, albeit slowly! So if he has some extra sensitive spots, tell him they will get better!