I think the words insurance and social security are now on my naughty words list lol! I have spent hours, days, weeks, months dealing with them and I don't care to do it any more... But I will because I must.
Ok ok my rant is over... The kids are back to school tomorrow and Scott and I are going to work together. What Scott's going to work, well kind of... I have a project at the Y that I get paid for, he on the other hand just gets to volunteer :) We're both looking forward to having a project to do while the kids are at school this week. We'll deal with next week and what fun that brings next week.
I hope to get some fun pictures on here soon...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Home Again
We've actually been home since Sunday, I just have had a pile of things to work on...what fun!
Since we've been home:
Scott is feeling better but pain is still an issue. He went to Speech on Tuesday and the tremor is pretty much gone. I had noticed that in the last month it was only noticeable when he was in deep concentration. After 1 &1/2 hours of ST it didn't show up. YAY!
The kids are getting ready for school to start. We went for the root beer social last night to meet teachers and drop off supplies. They are really excited to start next Wednesday...so are the parents.
BoogZ is back from his amazing vacation! He got to go horse back riding and made lots of new friends! How does a dog ride a horse? Well I don't have pictures but he ran along for the 1st little bit and then when he was all tuckered out Kathy had a sling that held him close to her. He slept while riding a horse! When we take him out for a visit we'll have to get pictures.
Scott endured a ladies movie night on Tuesday. Kailey is headed to college next week so Allie, Whit, Kailey and Lauren came to watch 'The back Up Plan'. We had a great time...even Scott thought the movie was pretty hilarious.
Since we've been home:
Scott is feeling better but pain is still an issue. He went to Speech on Tuesday and the tremor is pretty much gone. I had noticed that in the last month it was only noticeable when he was in deep concentration. After 1 &1/2 hours of ST it didn't show up. YAY!
The kids are getting ready for school to start. We went for the root beer social last night to meet teachers and drop off supplies. They are really excited to start next Wednesday...so are the parents.
BoogZ is back from his amazing vacation! He got to go horse back riding and made lots of new friends! How does a dog ride a horse? Well I don't have pictures but he ran along for the 1st little bit and then when he was all tuckered out Kathy had a sling that held him close to her. He slept while riding a horse! When we take him out for a visit we'll have to get pictures.
Scott endured a ladies movie night on Tuesday. Kailey is headed to college next week so Allie, Whit, Kailey and Lauren came to watch 'The back Up Plan'. We had a great time...even Scott thought the movie was pretty hilarious.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Seattle Trip
We were up and at it pretty early this morning for Scott. He had to be at the hospital @9:45am for the staples to come out. His bubble doesn't seem to be much less to me and we asked about it. She said like always that it takes time, but they may have to change the settings on his next visit if it is still there by the 13th.
We decided to make the trip to Seattle worth it so we went to the Flight Museum.
Originally we were going to do a tour of Boeing, because Coby has been begging to see where grandpa works. Cora is not tall enough to tour the Everett Boeing plant. I told dad that Tara and the Farmer's went to the Flight Museum on Saturday and told us it is very cool. He said the kids would like the Flight Museum much better, I agree.
We decided to make the trip to Seattle worth it so we went to the Flight Museum.
Originally we were going to do a tour of Boeing, because Coby has been begging to see where grandpa works. Cora is not tall enough to tour the Everett Boeing plant. I told dad that Tara and the Farmer's went to the Flight Museum on Saturday and told us it is very cool. He said the kids would like the Flight Museum much better, I agree.
We spent about 2 & 1/2 hours there. Scott finally had to tell me to stop asking me if it was too much for him. I'm sure in the end it was a little too much, but he was ready to do something fun and different! He says it was worth it.
Well the family is here now for our big dinner. So I better get off to visit. How weird it's a Friday and we're all able to be here from well around the country...gotta love summer.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Care's Home
Life has been slow and steady these days. Scott hasn't done to much more than rest and try to control the pain he's having. The kids have been playing around here and enjoying being where they each can have a computer. It's pretty funny when they play webkinz or club penguin at the same time.
This morning we went to pick Care up at the airport and they could not stop talking. Scott was lucky he got to stay home and sleep lol.
On Friday morning he has an appointment to have the staples removed, and then he has a follow up appointment from this surgery on September 13th.
Off to take the kids to IHOP because they keep seeing the commercial of kids eat free 4-10pm and they love the International House of Pancakes. They decided it's a must that we go, and I have been putting them off far to long in their eyes.
This morning we went to pick Care up at the airport and they could not stop talking. Scott was lucky he got to stay home and sleep lol.
On Friday morning he has an appointment to have the staples removed, and then he has a follow up appointment from this surgery on September 13th.
Off to take the kids to IHOP because they keep seeing the commercial of kids eat free 4-10pm and they love the International House of Pancakes. They decided it's a must that we go, and I have been putting them off far to long in their eyes.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Church Day
Scott was able to go to church today for sacrament, because he is feeling so good. Never fear I am keeping tabs on him and over doing it. After getting back to Nana's we, sat and chilled for the rest of the day. He did help with dinner... BBQ burgers, so tasty!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Out of the Hospital
Scott did so well with this surgery. He obviously has had pains, but other than that no problems. This morning his doctor let him decide if he leaves today or tomorrow. Of course he chose today. We are now sitting at my mom's watching Blue Crush. Ok so I'm watching it and typing, he is sleeping next to me. Everyone else went to Festival of the River in Arlington giving us a chance to adjust before kids are running crazy:)
Wow I'm must be really relieved that this is over because I honestly can't think right now.
The family is back and Coby got a cool chair that a lumberjack made at the lumberjack show. They had lots of fun and are super excited that we are home when they got here.
We are staying over on the west side for a while to hang out and be here when my sister Caroline comes on Wednesday. We have to go back and get the staples removed from the back of Scott's head and then it's another follow up appointment in 4-6 weeks. This time let's pray it's just a follow up appointment!
Scott has two new scars to add to his collection. The head one is almost like a horse shoe and the stomach is close to where the feeding tube was and is about and inch long. they had to go in at the stomach to place the end of the tube correctly.
Wow I'm must be really relieved that this is over because I honestly can't think right now.
The family is back and Coby got a cool chair that a lumberjack made at the lumberjack show. They had lots of fun and are super excited that we are home when they got here.
We are staying over on the west side for a while to hang out and be here when my sister Caroline comes on Wednesday. We have to go back and get the staples removed from the back of Scott's head and then it's another follow up appointment in 4-6 weeks. This time let's pray it's just a follow up appointment!
Scott has two new scars to add to his collection. The head one is almost like a horse shoe and the stomach is close to where the feeding tube was and is about and inch long. they had to go in at the stomach to place the end of the tube correctly.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sleeping in the hospital
I think it's pretty easy to forget what sleeping in a hospital is like. At 2am Scott woke up with pain in his abs and head. He said it felt worse than anytime he's worked his abs to the point of pain. So he had a hard time getting back to sleep because of pain and "this room it so loud, the beeps and noises are annoying". Yay for meds though not long after getting some he slept fairly well.
By 6am the nurse was in to check him over, get him up and give pain meds, by the time she was done we were both wide a wake and waiting for the kitchen to open at 7am for him to get breakfast. Luckily we have a frig in our family room. I was able to save his milkshake last night and he had the other half of it while he waited for breakfast. What a room!
Micheal, who works closely with Dr. Newell was in this morning and very happy with the amount his 'bubble' has gone down. He said the more he sits up the faster it will go down, good old gravity. He ordered for PT and OT to come in. By 9am we had the PT here to take Scott on a walk. He was able to walk the whole hall and back without 'troubles' his gate/stride is very small again and he feels uneasy on his feet, but we're hoping he feels up to a walk later and will put on his shoes so he feels more comfortable.
OT came in just after lunch and really worked with him. He got up and dressed in his own clothes, ran through the morning routine and walked the hall with his shoes on.
The kids came later to visit with Suz and Whitney. They were able to stay for over 4 hours without the kids getting to restless because they had their own room to watch shows and play in. Once again being a VIP is AWESOME! But I don't recommend going the route we did to get this room :)
By 6am the nurse was in to check him over, get him up and give pain meds, by the time she was done we were both wide a wake and waiting for the kitchen to open at 7am for him to get breakfast. Luckily we have a frig in our family room. I was able to save his milkshake last night and he had the other half of it while he waited for breakfast. What a room!
Micheal, who works closely with Dr. Newell was in this morning and very happy with the amount his 'bubble' has gone down. He said the more he sits up the faster it will go down, good old gravity. He ordered for PT and OT to come in. By 9am we had the PT here to take Scott on a walk. He was able to walk the whole hall and back without 'troubles' his gate/stride is very small again and he feels uneasy on his feet, but we're hoping he feels up to a walk later and will put on his shoes so he feels more comfortable.
OT came in just after lunch and really worked with him. He got up and dressed in his own clothes, ran through the morning routine and walked the hall with his shoes on.
The kids came later to visit with Suz and Whitney. They were able to stay for over 4 hours without the kids getting to restless because they had their own room to watch shows and play in. Once again being a VIP is AWESOME! But I don't recommend going the route we did to get this room :)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
the things inbetween
Scott's Surgery went well! I don't completely understand blogger yet, so the Surgery Day post is suppose to be before this one...
Last night was an interesting night in that sleep never really comes when your anticipating something unpleasant. The MarQueen was an amazing place to stay. So prefect for us! I didn't get a chance to take pictures but check out their website at http://www.marqueen.com/ it's amazing. Scott kept asking where the piano player and bar maids were though lol.
We walked down the street to a open market and found dinner. He's pretty lucky I didn't see the Melting Pot resturant until the way back from the store or dinner would have cost much more than it did. I have wanted to eat there since I was in High School... maybe some day we'll go now that I know where it is.
The bathroom had a huge cast iron soaking tub that was actually long enough for me to soak up to my neck. Ah I love a good soaking bath, so relaxing for sleep. I had talked to the pre-op nurse about Scott having melatonin before surgery, she said it was fine. So by 8pm we were beat, medicated, and headed to bed. I was in & out of sleep for a few hours to start, then Scott was and by 1:30am we were both awake, after a short visit to calm the fears we were able to sleep a little better, but man 5am came fast and we were both wide a wake! So off to get ready and get to the hospital. What took us 20 minutes yesterday took us 10 minutes today so we were nice and early just the way Scott likes it:)
The kids had a fun day going to play with cousins. Debbie who is Scott's cousin some how, and my long time friend...whatever she's family on both sides to us and she hooked Scott and I up by the way... why yes I said hooked up, cuz after these last few months I'd like to see someone try and say Scott & I aren't hooked at the hip lol Any way she took the kids to play today. They had so much fun. It was a great distraction for them while dad was back in the hospital. I know they have put on strong faces for their parents, but they have struggled too. I wasn't ready for them to see Scott in bed and so heavily drugged today, so we're looking forward to them coming to see us tomorrow.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll get a chance to call and get updates on the rest of the family, see how the animals are doing. Not that I really need too, I bet Thomas is wrapped up with Karen right now and BoogZ is probably passed out after a hard day of playing.
Thinking about family and the choices I have had to make has got me to realize something... I think you learn something about yourself when you have to choose between your spouse and your children day after day. Usually the choice is made for you through what you're doing. In this situations, I have decided to find someone I trust to take the kids and I stay to be with Scott. I think this choice is a life altering one that says a lot about me. I could have gone the other way. Stayed with the kids and had others for Scott, it was doable. But anyone who knows me, knows kids is not the way I'm going... obviously.... I haven't quite put it together in my mind but it feels profound, maybe even scary. Nobody likes to look deeply into their choices and see what these choices have made them as a person.
Maybe late night blogging on little sleep is a bad idea, then again maybe my thought will break clear someday and I'll be a better person. Wow my blogging sure has been a lot about me... I guess that's what happens when things go so well you have room to think about more than the threat at hand. The level of what's most important to watch for is so low! It's amazing how little to do there is...just like a normal surgery should be! So Happy It's Over!!!
Last night was an interesting night in that sleep never really comes when your anticipating something unpleasant. The MarQueen was an amazing place to stay. So prefect for us! I didn't get a chance to take pictures but check out their website at http://www.marqueen.com/ it's amazing. Scott kept asking where the piano player and bar maids were though lol.
We walked down the street to a open market and found dinner. He's pretty lucky I didn't see the Melting Pot resturant until the way back from the store or dinner would have cost much more than it did. I have wanted to eat there since I was in High School... maybe some day we'll go now that I know where it is.
The bathroom had a huge cast iron soaking tub that was actually long enough for me to soak up to my neck. Ah I love a good soaking bath, so relaxing for sleep. I had talked to the pre-op nurse about Scott having melatonin before surgery, she said it was fine. So by 8pm we were beat, medicated, and headed to bed. I was in & out of sleep for a few hours to start, then Scott was and by 1:30am we were both awake, after a short visit to calm the fears we were able to sleep a little better, but man 5am came fast and we were both wide a wake! So off to get ready and get to the hospital. What took us 20 minutes yesterday took us 10 minutes today so we were nice and early just the way Scott likes it:)
The kids had a fun day going to play with cousins. Debbie who is Scott's cousin some how, and my long time friend...whatever she's family on both sides to us and she hooked Scott and I up by the way... why yes I said hooked up, cuz after these last few months I'd like to see someone try and say Scott & I aren't hooked at the hip lol Any way she took the kids to play today. They had so much fun. It was a great distraction for them while dad was back in the hospital. I know they have put on strong faces for their parents, but they have struggled too. I wasn't ready for them to see Scott in bed and so heavily drugged today, so we're looking forward to them coming to see us tomorrow.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll get a chance to call and get updates on the rest of the family, see how the animals are doing. Not that I really need too, I bet Thomas is wrapped up with Karen right now and BoogZ is probably passed out after a hard day of playing.
Thinking about family and the choices I have had to make has got me to realize something... I think you learn something about yourself when you have to choose between your spouse and your children day after day. Usually the choice is made for you through what you're doing. In this situations, I have decided to find someone I trust to take the kids and I stay to be with Scott. I think this choice is a life altering one that says a lot about me. I could have gone the other way. Stayed with the kids and had others for Scott, it was doable. But anyone who knows me, knows kids is not the way I'm going... obviously.... I haven't quite put it together in my mind but it feels profound, maybe even scary. Nobody likes to look deeply into their choices and see what these choices have made them as a person.
Maybe late night blogging on little sleep is a bad idea, then again maybe my thought will break clear someday and I'll be a better person. Wow my blogging sure has been a lot about me... I guess that's what happens when things go so well you have room to think about more than the threat at hand. The level of what's most important to watch for is so low! It's amazing how little to do there is...just like a normal surgery should be! So Happy It's Over!!!
Sugery Day
First things first: Surgery went very well. Actually much better than anyone expected!
After hours of trying to get this posted, I now realized that I should have done small posts each time I got on today...unfortunately I'm planning to NEVER have to use this knowledge, because I'm hopping for no more surgeries.
Dr. Newell said that they didn't find a reason to go in and remove the fluid on his brain or on the outside of his skull... "the bubble" stays for a little longer, but hopefully not to much longer. It's already down a centimeter.
Scott says he feels so much better waking up from this surgery than when the flap was replaced, as exciting as this maybe, he also said that it feels like "an ice pick has been stabbed into his head" or "he's been hit with a board that has a nail in it." That part is not good, but the pain meds are helping. Wow it sure takes a long time to blog when nurses come in and Scott wakes up every few minutes, he's totally out now though.
The reason Dr. Newell came in to see Scott so soon after surgery is because he was complaining of chest pain. I found out how they route the tubing for the shunt. It goes from the back of the head down the middle of the neck around to the front and through almost the middle of his chest. The tube is just under the skin in the fatty tissue. Ouch no wonder his chest hurts, there's hardly any fat there, good thing it's a small tube. Him getting up and moving some didn't help his chest that much, but it does help his body in recovering faster. He was up twice today after surgery for the bathroom... OK OK I know that's an over share, but remember the catheter... enough said:)
I am now sitting in the family room that is in Scott's room! I don't think it was a secret that I was not looking forward to sleeping in a hospital bed chair or cot again, I had done that for 1 day shy of 12 weeks. We had been home for 6 weeks. Life is still about getting the most important thing done by the time it needs done, which means crisis management only. I didn't want to go backwards so far. I'm sure anyone who saw me will agree, my attitude sucked. BUT that makes the reality I am now savoring that much better. We are in the VIP suite. They say and I agree, it is the nicest room on the floor. I guess it's given to people who have to come back for more surgeries....lucky us.
I didn't feel lucky when we found out about the VP Shunt. I didn't feel lucky coming here for the CT yesterday. I started to feel lucky when we checked Scott in and we were sent to a different area (what there's an area of this hospital I don't know lol) It was very calming in that waiting room. Then they allowed me to go back with Scott. Betsy and Tara were able to come back when they got here too. Nice!
After a while he went off to surgery and I went off to drown in music and organize some computer files Scott's been telling me I should work on, went I have time. Besty, Tara and Susan sat and chatted. A little later my parents came and had to deal with my attitude, so they went and chatted a bit too. I knew that I was going to have a hard time, so I made a plan of what I needed to do to get through this and the plan worked. To bad that kind of meant ignoring everyone else, at least I did forewarn them of my plan. I knew the drill sit in the waiting room until the person at the desk gives you info. So I sat plugged into my laptop, while Scott was being cut into and a tube inserted into his body!
And now we find our selves in the VIP room! It's funny each time Scott changed rooms before I felt like we were upgrading. Something was always better that made the stay bearable. I did not expect that this time and yet we received it in full force. It's amazing how things work out sometimes. A few times today I thought dang we should have had this room last stay, we were here so long. As nice as that would have been, I think the way things worked out are best! I really did appreciate the room we had before, besides that we needed an upgrade for this surgery. It's nice we had the opportunity to have it when we needed it most!
Post finished at 11:30pm. Not sure how to make this before the post I started after it. Sad.
After hours of trying to get this posted, I now realized that I should have done small posts each time I got on today...unfortunately I'm planning to NEVER have to use this knowledge, because I'm hopping for no more surgeries.
Dr. Newell said that they didn't find a reason to go in and remove the fluid on his brain or on the outside of his skull... "the bubble" stays for a little longer, but hopefully not to much longer. It's already down a centimeter.
Scott says he feels so much better waking up from this surgery than when the flap was replaced, as exciting as this maybe, he also said that it feels like "an ice pick has been stabbed into his head" or "he's been hit with a board that has a nail in it." That part is not good, but the pain meds are helping. Wow it sure takes a long time to blog when nurses come in and Scott wakes up every few minutes, he's totally out now though.
The reason Dr. Newell came in to see Scott so soon after surgery is because he was complaining of chest pain. I found out how they route the tubing for the shunt. It goes from the back of the head down the middle of the neck around to the front and through almost the middle of his chest. The tube is just under the skin in the fatty tissue. Ouch no wonder his chest hurts, there's hardly any fat there, good thing it's a small tube. Him getting up and moving some didn't help his chest that much, but it does help his body in recovering faster. He was up twice today after surgery for the bathroom... OK OK I know that's an over share, but remember the catheter... enough said:)
I am now sitting in the family room that is in Scott's room! I don't think it was a secret that I was not looking forward to sleeping in a hospital bed chair or cot again, I had done that for 1 day shy of 12 weeks. We had been home for 6 weeks. Life is still about getting the most important thing done by the time it needs done, which means crisis management only. I didn't want to go backwards so far. I'm sure anyone who saw me will agree, my attitude sucked. BUT that makes the reality I am now savoring that much better. We are in the VIP suite. They say and I agree, it is the nicest room on the floor. I guess it's given to people who have to come back for more surgeries....lucky us.
I didn't feel lucky when we found out about the VP Shunt. I didn't feel lucky coming here for the CT yesterday. I started to feel lucky when we checked Scott in and we were sent to a different area (what there's an area of this hospital I don't know lol) It was very calming in that waiting room. Then they allowed me to go back with Scott. Betsy and Tara were able to come back when they got here too. Nice!
After a while he went off to surgery and I went off to drown in music and organize some computer files Scott's been telling me I should work on, went I have time. Besty, Tara and Susan sat and chatted. A little later my parents came and had to deal with my attitude, so they went and chatted a bit too. I knew that I was going to have a hard time, so I made a plan of what I needed to do to get through this and the plan worked. To bad that kind of meant ignoring everyone else, at least I did forewarn them of my plan. I knew the drill sit in the waiting room until the person at the desk gives you info. So I sat plugged into my laptop, while Scott was being cut into and a tube inserted into his body!
And now we find our selves in the VIP room! It's funny each time Scott changed rooms before I felt like we were upgrading. Something was always better that made the stay bearable. I did not expect that this time and yet we received it in full force. It's amazing how things work out sometimes. A few times today I thought dang we should have had this room last stay, we were here so long. As nice as that would have been, I think the way things worked out are best! I really did appreciate the room we had before, besides that we needed an upgrade for this surgery. It's nice we had the opportunity to have it when we needed it most!
Post finished at 11:30pm. Not sure how to make this before the post I started after it. Sad.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Night Before Surgery
We made it over to the west side of the mountains last night. After a relaxing visit at the Farmer's, we headed to my mom's house to unload the kids and sleep. Scott had his stealth CT at 3:30 this afternoon, which is just a different way they take the images. Scott asked and they told him that it's 1mm sliced images instead of 3mm sliced images. I finally got Scott to try the bacon cheese burgers at the hospital. I have been telling him they are so tasty, he now believes:)
We are now sitting in our hotel room at the MarQueen Hotel, it's a nice rustic old place that's super homey. Just perfect before a surgery... good thing we got a discount for staying for medical reasons. I'm getting pretty good at asking for discounts lol.
The kids are hanging at my mom's with Whitney, Suz, Nana and Grandpa.
The cats are at home with Karen staying again. What a life saver.
BoogZ is at the Thackery's having the best time ever. They live on lots of land in Cashmere and have horses. What a fun visit he's having.
I suppose we're all set for another hospital stay... we'll see when 5am comes. We have to be at Swedish Cherry Hill Hospital by 6:30am for check in. Ouch so early!
We are now sitting in our hotel room at the MarQueen Hotel, it's a nice rustic old place that's super homey. Just perfect before a surgery... good thing we got a discount for staying for medical reasons. I'm getting pretty good at asking for discounts lol.
The kids are hanging at my mom's with Whitney, Suz, Nana and Grandpa.
The cats are at home with Karen staying again. What a life saver.
BoogZ is at the Thackery's having the best time ever. They live on lots of land in Cashmere and have horses. What a fun visit he's having.
I suppose we're all set for another hospital stay... we'll see when 5am comes. We have to be at Swedish Cherry Hill Hospital by 6:30am for check in. Ouch so early!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Is it OK to be annoyed with reality?
Why yes Diane annoyed is an understatement!
Scott says, "It's miserable waiting to be cut into again."
Diane says, "I'm angry that we have another hospital stay without any warning. I mean come on we went in for a follow up thinking he was progressing well."
The kids say, "What? Whitney's coming to Nana's with us! That's cool!" I asked if they had any questions or how they felt about dad going back to the hospital. They just said "It's not as long as last time right?" Correct. "They'll fix dad's bubble right?" Yep, it'll take about a month for it to be completely gone though.
Oh to be young again!
So although we are not excited by any means about the whole staying at Swedish again, we can see some positive things...
- It was caught before it caused damage.
- It was caught by a routine appointment and not him experiencing any pains or worse.
- He's pain med free, which means a lot when adding higher pain meds to cover new pain.
- It's still summer time, so the kids aren't in school yet.
- He wasn't back to work yet, so although it feels like a huge set back, it could have been a lot worse!
Scott says, "It's miserable waiting to be cut into again."
Diane says, "I'm angry that we have another hospital stay without any warning. I mean come on we went in for a follow up thinking he was progressing well."
The kids say, "What? Whitney's coming to Nana's with us! That's cool!" I asked if they had any questions or how they felt about dad going back to the hospital. They just said "It's not as long as last time right?" Correct. "They'll fix dad's bubble right?" Yep, it'll take about a month for it to be completely gone though.
Oh to be young again!
So although we are not excited by any means about the whole staying at Swedish again, we can see some positive things...
- It was caught before it caused damage.
- It was caught by a routine appointment and not him experiencing any pains or worse.
- He's pain med free, which means a lot when adding higher pain meds to cover new pain.
- It's still summer time, so the kids aren't in school yet.
- He wasn't back to work yet, so although it feels like a huge set back, it could have been a lot worse!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Appointment w/ Dr. Newell
When we left Swedish Hospital we were told to make a follow up appointment with Dr. Newell. Here it is 6 weeks later and the appontment is over. When we went it felt like a step forward, just a follow up apointment no big deal right? I had my list of questions to ask him not realizing the one question everyone wanted to know had a not so great answer....
On august 12th, Scott will be going in to have a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) placed. This is a long thin tube that starts in his brain with about 2 inches going into the brain and ends in his stomach. The start has tiny holes that absorb the cerebral fluid around the brain then has a larger pocket which holds a magnet that regulates the fluid disbursing into the stomach. This will be located in the back of his head and is sensitive to strong magnetic fields, like if he has an MRI it will have to be reset by the neurosurgeon.
We have to go in on the 11th for a stealth CT before surgery due to the need for different imaging and being able to place the tube. (We won’t have the time for any of these until its closer to the date)
The reason he has to have this placement… The fluid build up that is visible on the right side of his head is only a portion of the excess fluid. Dr. Newell said based on his CT today, there is fluid under the prosthesis bone flap as well. His brain is not absorbing cerebral fluid where the bleed was, which causes the excess. There is also still fluid from the surgery that has not absorbed. They have an option where they do a spinal tap and wrap the head to force fluid to leave the body through the spin. This is a one time procedure, but in Scott’s case they believe the fluid will just return due to the spot (I don’t know how large it is) that is not absorbing and probably never will.
The surgery will take about 1-2 hours with 1-1 ½ hours in recovery, then 2 days in observation. They said usually 1 day in ICU and 1 day in medical room. Oh how fun an over night stay on each floor. We actually visited each floor between the CT & the check up thinking we wouldn’t be back…not sure we’ll do that again…ha…ha…
Scott’s now feeling the 1 step forward, 10 steps back that we felt for so many days in the ICU. It was shocking to hear that surgery was needed again. The post surgery effects were even worse. They said to expect headaches and stomach discomfort for possibly a month as the fluid drains and the tubing finds a home in his stomach. He wont be able to lift anything more than 5lbs for 3-6 weeks and no swimming until the wounds are totally healed. These are all the things we have been doing the past few weeks to get him stronger... At least we had a really long up hill climb before this small down hill... Let's hope the hills through the next few weeks are all nice and small!
On august 12th, Scott will be going in to have a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) placed. This is a long thin tube that starts in his brain with about 2 inches going into the brain and ends in his stomach. The start has tiny holes that absorb the cerebral fluid around the brain then has a larger pocket which holds a magnet that regulates the fluid disbursing into the stomach. This will be located in the back of his head and is sensitive to strong magnetic fields, like if he has an MRI it will have to be reset by the neurosurgeon.
We have to go in on the 11th for a stealth CT before surgery due to the need for different imaging and being able to place the tube. (We won’t have the time for any of these until its closer to the date)
The reason he has to have this placement… The fluid build up that is visible on the right side of his head is only a portion of the excess fluid. Dr. Newell said based on his CT today, there is fluid under the prosthesis bone flap as well. His brain is not absorbing cerebral fluid where the bleed was, which causes the excess. There is also still fluid from the surgery that has not absorbed. They have an option where they do a spinal tap and wrap the head to force fluid to leave the body through the spin. This is a one time procedure, but in Scott’s case they believe the fluid will just return due to the spot (I don’t know how large it is) that is not absorbing and probably never will.
The surgery will take about 1-2 hours with 1-1 ½ hours in recovery, then 2 days in observation. They said usually 1 day in ICU and 1 day in medical room. Oh how fun an over night stay on each floor. We actually visited each floor between the CT & the check up thinking we wouldn’t be back…not sure we’ll do that again…ha…ha…
Scott’s now feeling the 1 step forward, 10 steps back that we felt for so many days in the ICU. It was shocking to hear that surgery was needed again. The post surgery effects were even worse. They said to expect headaches and stomach discomfort for possibly a month as the fluid drains and the tubing finds a home in his stomach. He wont be able to lift anything more than 5lbs for 3-6 weeks and no swimming until the wounds are totally healed. These are all the things we have been doing the past few weeks to get him stronger... At least we had a really long up hill climb before this small down hill... Let's hope the hills through the next few weeks are all nice and small!
Thunderstorm Livingroom Campout
I have been wanting to get on and post for days about our thunderstorm experience... I guess now is the time...
On Wednesday Cascade Auto Center had their company picnic out at Ome Gardens. It was really exciting to know we were going to go and see everyone Scott works with. As we were leaving the rain started to pour, we weren't sure if there would be covered areas, but who cares when you get to go visit people you haven't seen in months! Off we went. There were covered areas of course, lots of friends and co-workers and tons of tasty food! What a great combination. We stayed late visiting so by the time we got home, got the dog out for the bathroom and kids ready for bed the rain, wind, thunder and lightening started. BoogZ loved it! He was running and playing, just having a great time... the kids on the other hand, not so much. They didn't like the noise and the lights flickering off for a second. Then add that lighting could hit our house, no good. At least it was pouring rain so I could add that if it does hit by the house the rain is wetting everything so a fire wont start at our house. Finally after lots of talking and me saying we could all sleep downstairs, they settled down.
So off to collect all the air beds and blankets to setup our family camp out in the living room. By the time I had everything set up the thunder and lighting had stopped, but the rain was still pretty loud upstairs so I guess it was worth it. I don't think Scott or I slept very well but it was a fun experience over all.
On Wednesday Cascade Auto Center had their company picnic out at Ome Gardens. It was really exciting to know we were going to go and see everyone Scott works with. As we were leaving the rain started to pour, we weren't sure if there would be covered areas, but who cares when you get to go visit people you haven't seen in months! Off we went. There were covered areas of course, lots of friends and co-workers and tons of tasty food! What a great combination. We stayed late visiting so by the time we got home, got the dog out for the bathroom and kids ready for bed the rain, wind, thunder and lightening started. BoogZ loved it! He was running and playing, just having a great time... the kids on the other hand, not so much. They didn't like the noise and the lights flickering off for a second. Then add that lighting could hit our house, no good. At least it was pouring rain so I could add that if it does hit by the house the rain is wetting everything so a fire wont start at our house. Finally after lots of talking and me saying we could all sleep downstairs, they settled down.
So off to collect all the air beds and blankets to setup our family camp out in the living room. By the time I had everything set up the thunder and lighting had stopped, but the rain was still pretty loud upstairs so I guess it was worth it. I don't think Scott or I slept very well but it was a fun experience over all.
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