Homecoming...

Gerber Daisy at the arboretum.

 Mom is HOME! :)

We are both sooo happy that she is home. As soon as I saw her walk in the door today, my anxiety level dropped big time. She is doing so much better today than she was yesterday. While tired, she still looks like Mom, and seeing her doing so much better is a huge relief. 

When Dr. Neurosurgeon came in to see her today, he offered to let her stay another day at the hospital if she didn't feel she had enough help at home, but she was so ready to come home, take a shower, and rest in her own room. She could not wait to get a shower! A CNA woke her up at 5 AM this morning to weigh her. Really? Was that necessary? It is nice not to have those interruptions or be worrying about hospital errors anymore.

Thank goodness she bought an old-lady lift chair for her rotator cuff surgery a few years ago, as it is coming in handy again. 

We know that the resting and healing can truly begin with her home. 

Right now, Mom's biggest complaint is her sore throat. It hurts like heck to talk. Unfortunately, this means she can't talk on the phone if you call! :( And, really, I don't need more 'space' to talk! I already talk too much! Her swelling has gone down a lot, the numbness and tingling has gone away, and she doesn't feel pain where the surgery was. She also has an incision smaller than the one I had for my port! It is remarkable that she can shower right away and just has steri-strips.

Gerber Daisy at the arboretum.

One of the most interesting things we learned about the surgery was how severe the compression really was. During the surgery Mom was monitored by a neurophysiologist, Anita. Dr. Neurosurgeon said to her: "Would you like to look at this? Have you ever seen a compression this severe that wasn't in a trauma patient?" Dr. Neurosurgeon told Mom that she must have an incredibly high pain tolerance. He was very surprised by how severe the compression was and the surgery turned out to be more involved and longer than expected. Thankfully, it appears that he was able to alleviate the compression without complications. 


I found out he was wearing his Cubs sweatshirt the morning of surgery. Since my mom's family, especially her brother and mother (who also both had a similar surgery to this) are/were HUGE Cubs fans, this seemed like a little God moment letting her know she picked the right guy! :)


The anesthesia used is extremely powerful, which is why Mom was so completely snowed by it. (I misunderstood that she was partially awake during surgery. She was asleep an the anesthesia for this type of surgery is really strong.) She has a lot of phlegm to clear out from all of that! 


Mom has been living with pain for so long--some of it started as early as when I was born--that she really doesn't know a life without pain anymore. Once the swelling goes done, the bone begins to graft, and the titanium plate secures itself, it will be very interesting to see how her body responds and if she feels 1. less pain, and 2. better overall well-being. 


I am often told how strong or brave I am, but it is my mom who I always see as being strong and brave. She has lived with this for so long, with very little complaint.


Both of us got dressed in new PJs tonight, and as far as I know Mom is sound asleep downstairs as I write this (yup, she can do stairs already!). Asher is spending a couple of days with Dad and Abbie, which is hard and we miss him, but he gets way too stressed and anxious from the comings and goings of the caregiver and others. At their house, he can hang out on the AC vent (which is what he was doing this afternoon when I talked to Abbie). :)


We may be more quiet here over the next few days, but I will certainly update if there is any news. And I promise my blogs won't always be about medical emergencies, crises, dramas, etc.! :)


Blessings and many thanks for the continued prayers, thoughts, texts, emails, calls, and Facebook posts. You help keep us going, that is for sure!


Emily