March 23, 2010

Reports from visitors to Teresa continue to be good. Pink edges are seen in the wound; this is a sign of healing tissue. Apparently she had a rocky time Saturday, with some nausea. She attributes this to the KU basketball loss. I suspect that there were many Jayhawk fans with nausea after that game. The dogs continue to do well; they are staying with the Turners. Louie occasionally visits us next door; I've learned to be much faster about picking up my newspaper from the driveway.

March 11, 2010 The big move

Well, the big move yesterday went well. Teresa was quite glad to be out of bed, and breathe some outdoor air. We made a little detour through Sonic, enjoyed some onion rings, and then motored on to the Select Specialty Hospital. Nothing like junk food to really perk you up. The Select hospital is on the 6th floor southwest of Via Christi St. Francis. Teresa's color is better, makes us nurses happier to see someone with some pink in her skin. She said that the oncologist is stopping her intravenous chemo, to let her wounds heal quicker. There is an oral chemo that she will be taking for now. We spent much time laughing, drove through part of downtown Wichita (not on purpose). I should know better than to listen to backseat drivers giving directions.
I left as they were getting ready to redress her wounds. Apparently Via Christi and Wesley use different brands of Wound-vacs, so they were going to have to re-do the whole process. And, since she is a new admission, take photographs of the wound, etc. With all of the requirements in place by all of the regulating agencies, getting admitted to the hospital is no simple process. I expect that she was quite tired by the time they finished all of the admission process.
I am unsure of how long she will be there.
All for now.

March 10, 2010

I'm headed to Wichita after lunch today to help Teresa transfer to her new temporary home. Will update with more details later.

March 8, 2010

Improvement!
Talked with Teresa today. She reports that sleep deprivation is not a good thing. After several good nights of sleep, she is much, much better. They did a little more debridement at the bedside today. They are possibly looking at transferring her later this week to another facility for more healing time.
I have volunteered to drive her van (aka the Van-go) from Winfield and help her with this transfer. She sounds so much better on the phone, I am delighted.

March 4, 2010 Post from Lorri

They completed the debridement surgery yesterday. They cleaned out the wound as much as was possible. They have discovered that Teresa had quite a bladder infection, so this probably was contributing to her significant fever and feeling so badly several days ago. The antibiotics must be working, as she continues to improve.

March 3, 2010 Post from Lorri

Teresa is back on her fancy Clinitron bed. She is scheduled for the debridement today. This will take place in the Surgical department. Probably not a good day for visitors. Teresa's spirits are good; having her fever down sure helps. She received her second unit of blood yesterday evening. I suspect that this will help also.

March 2, 2010 Post from Lorri

Better news this time. After a rocky feverish night, the high powered antibiotics have kicked in. Debby reports that Teresa is perkier this morning. While the one wound is infected, the others seem to be healing. As her hemoglobin has dropped, she will be getting a blood transfusion as soon as the blood is ready. I suspect that getting blood will really help her. I believe that they plan on debriding (cleaning out) the infected wound; I am not sure about the time frame on this. Her tumor markers are down, thank God.

Teresa's 55th birthday

March 2, 2010 Post from Lorri

Teresa is back at Wesley in room 1011. She has a fever, her wound is infected. Feels bad; not doing so well. Hoping and praying the antibiotics kick in soon.