Lungs for Mandy

2/29 @5:45 PM

It’s not happening today. After a 45 minute effort the Pic Line team decided there was too much scar tissue so on Monday, she has to go downstairs for another port, which normally requires being sedated. It’s quite possible the Doctor could make a different decision, but as of right now Mandy and Nurse Laurie are heading down to the cafeteria since her dinner tray was cancelled.

I hink Laurie will come home tonight because Mandy is insisting she go home plus Mandy wore her ”going home clothes” today. We’ve overcome larger obstacles and Mandy’s attitude is good.  

Feb 29 @ 5:15 PM

Well she’s not home yet. Waiting to work a few bumps out on the release. It has come up that they want to put a pic line in to administer anti-biotic at home for a while. Since that’s a surgical procedure they had to call a team in to do it. Also they wanted a cat-scan which when reviewed the Doctor said the lungs look really good and that the fluid is on the outside of the lungs and should dissipate over time. What a blessing.

As Nurse Laurie waits outside the room for the pic line crew to wrap things up the nurses light has come on and caused a couple more gray hairs. She was made to leave the room and she very seldom allows any procedure short of major surgery to go on without her being right there.

Apri is delivering meds this evening and Nurse Laurie and Mandy will begin the IV transfusions tonight. Hopefully Mandy will feel up to a visit from the nieces and nephews and maybe want some food from our most favorite Italian eatery right here in good ole OTTO, MO.

She’s not even gone yet and some of the nurses are having Mandy withdrawal. I hope to soon post she is home. Thanks everyone for the calls and emails.

Dad

Under friends and family and a few of my care givers.

More to come…..

Dad

The last day 02/29/08 @ 9 AM

On her Grandmas birthday which only happens every four years Mandy & Nurse Laurie get to come home. My mom has been gone for 8 years already and still evidently watching over her Mandy.

Grandpa Bob called today and plans on visiting next month over Easter.

After allowing a nurse to try and insert a new IV, they are bringing someone else in to try. It is her last IV for a while and it’s one she needs. They have to visit with Jan, the transplant coordinator and go over her medicine list and her scheduled visits to the hospital. Next week it’s 5 days at Rehab and 2 days visiting with the transplant team, plus a couple of X-rays.  Still trying to dissolve the blood clot in her neck, so she’ll be on a few additional meds this time verses her first transplant.

Once the dietitian and Doctors come in all she needs is a bath and they get to go home. Jenn and Violetta stopped by this morning on their way home. She and Laurie are really going to miss your visits. You guys from 13 really rock.  

Mandy failed to wake her Mom up to help her to the bathroom, while trying to get back into the bed her knee slipped and she luckily feel into the bed. Of course the commotion woke Mom and she was up and giving Mandy the riot act for not waking her up.

Mandy is real ready to get home. Heck she’s asking about the YMCA’s schedule and making plans on her and I walking. I told her Max and I will ride alongside in the golf-cart and I’m not doing YOGA.

Just a quick THANK YOU to all our new friends from 13 and all the other great care givers we’ve meet during this journey. While most everyone we’ve meet have gone far and above the call of duty there have been a few that need to re-think why they entered the field of nursing and medicine. Not to mention any names but for example, the one nurse who is working towards her masters degree, with the daughter who is so smart and to the nurse who should of continued his military career, or the nurse with the serious attitude, or to the nurse who tried to give Mandy 750 units in an IV instead of 75, we really won’t miss you guys.

But all in all our love for the others can’t be denied. As this journey begins a new chapter, both Mandy and I will be posting events and happenings. I’ve also kept notes and plan on assisting Mandy in her goal of writing a book, I think she even has it named. I hope you have found my updates informative and sometimes humorous, but most of all sincere and appreciate every-ones feedback.

Until later, I remain

Dad

Feb 28 @ 4:30 PM

Doc’s were late coming by today.

Guess who’s coming home tomorrow? She walked 15 minutes on the treadmill today without oxygen AA does it again. Her Ox level stayed at 94 which is great. Her wieght is down just a bit but we think water weight which they want her to loose anyway. Plus we can get some home cooking into her. She feels ready to come home. Dr. Hatchem thinks the X-rays looks a little better. They plan on sending her down to a different X-ray machine for a better picture. The only things left to do is go over the Med list and visit with the Dietitian

A special note to Mariam (Dr. Lynch’s fellow) Have a safe trip back to Spain it was great to meet you and we appreciate your caring and wish you good luck in your career. Stay in touch.

More pictures coming soon…..

Dad