Surgery Day

Today has started well. It seems that the bladder surgery did it's job and the amount of output has increased and it is much clearer. Isn't it fun to talk about someone elses pee and that someone is your daddy? haha They took him into surgery this morning about 11:10. So the wait has begun.
1:35>they have the first and main screw put in place. so far so good. 5:40> more hardware is in place and they are about ready to turn him. he is doing fine so far.7:00> The internal part seems to be finished?, they are putting the external hardware in now.
9:00> just talked to Dr Heddings, all went very well, he put a plate across the back of dad's spine and a long "bolt" that connects the back of the pelvis, a screw was placed through the left side of the pelvis, externally 2 long post screw into the front of the pelvis on each side with a stabilizer bar across the front that will stay in place for about 8 weeks or as long has dad can tolerate them, Daddy lost about 1 1/2 lts. of blood but they were able to filter it back through and gave it back to him. The front plate wasn't able to be used due to the leaking of the bladder on impact, the probability of infection was too high if they used it. So, now they are running another ct scan to check everything one more time. the kidney output was low during surgery so we aren't sure about that. he will be on the ventilator tonight,

Evening Surgery

Dad's day has been a bit calmer and he has rested better. They wanted to go ahead and repair the bladder tonight so they are taking him back soon. Of course, that is a relative term. We have been blessed with wonderful families to share the waiting room with. So much sorrow but so much hope too. Prayer circles have been a common thing today. I will edit this post later tonight after talking to Daddy's surgeon.......it is 8:20 and still waiting to take Daddy into the operating room... KU Med time is a bit like military time..hurry up and wait!...more when we get it...Dr visit was good news, repair was successful, it was needed because of a weakend area that was dying that was next to the tear and now it is all healthy tissue again. Now we wait for tomorrow and that repair.

KU Med

We are in a waiting mode today, Daddy is more aware and doing well. This hospital is no stranger to us. Dad has been here several times this year with his throat and voicebox. This place rocks. The staff, nurses, techs, Dr.s and even the cleaning crew have always been so kind and patient with us and Daddy. The team concept is strong here. This trip, the're are several teams working. Urology(bladder), renal(kidneys), pulminary(lungs), and ortho(bone surgeon). They have always known what is going on and are able to answer questions for us. The communication between each of them is amazing considering the size of this place. I especially have been very pleased with the nursing care in the surgical icu unit. Professional, calm, funny when needed and they care so much about their patients. Thanks KU Med for taking such great care of my family and my daddy.

the story: day two

Daddy has had a rough day with pain. The Dr.s are monitoring his kidney and bladder situation. It looks like they will operate on the bladder tomorrow. They would like to put it off until Wed. so he is only under once but we are waiting to see which would be best for him. This evening he had a 2 hr. dialysis session and they are repeating it again in the morning. Dad slept through it. His pain meds are making him itch so a dose of benadril helped quite a bit. He hasn't been awake much. They also put a filter in his vein to prevent any possible blood clots from traveling up to his heart or lungs.
I am taking Sarah back to Emporia tonight, sleeping there and then back to KU in the morning. Mom is heading home and will be back in the am as well. We are all a bit tired and ready for Wednesday to be here and over for Daddy. Thanks for checking in.

our mighty deerhunter

My dad, James, loves to hunt deer and this weekend opened gun season in Missouri. Dad hunts at a friends property several miles from his home. Opening day, saturday, Dad had a buck in view and stood up in his stand to get a clearer shot. The strap that attaches the stand to the tree broke. Daddy fell about 16 feet to the ground. Landing on his right knee, his entire pelvic area took the shock of the impact. His pelvis broke away from his spine on both sides. On the left side the break is fairly clean but goes all of the way through. The right side is a different story. It was crushed and the break is very jagged and mushy. The front of the pelvic bone has been seperated and will need to be repaired also. The Dr. has ordered a rare piece of equipment that will help stablize the whole pelvic floor. It should be here on Tuesday and he will have the sugery on Wednesday. Mom, Sarah and I met with the surgeon and really like him. He took us to the computer where he showed us the CT scan. That was very cool. It was a 3-D of dad's pelvis, then he printed it for us and for Sarah to take to nursing school with her for show and tell. Seriously though, his bladder seems to have a leak in it and his kidneys don't want to work at full capacity. If the kidney problem persist, he may be put on dialysis for a few days to help them get jump started. It is all a bit overwhelming right now and prayers are needed. Dad is being a great patient as always and has the staff laughing with him once in a while. His pain is intense and meds help but put him into too deep of a sleep. It will be a long week for sure. I'll update here tomorrow.

Summer has ended with the sound of school bells. Classes have started, my students groan and secretly so do I. The alarm goes off so early now after several weeks of late nights and later mornings. The cool crisp air greets me each morning, leaving a covering of dew across the lawn. I know it won't be long until there really will be a layer of frost on the pumpkins. This season passes so quickly and each morning brings a new layer of color to enjoy. Fall reminds me to slow down and enjoy the beauty around me, a time for hot chocolate, a warm blanket and a good book. I love this time of year.

A New School Year

It is a new school year and it comes with a glitch. Derrell has been watching our grandbabies the past 2 years while Bev and I work down in Belle Plaine at the school there. This summer he started a new job and for a few weeks he has been working 12 hour shifts. The end date was supposed to be this Friday-NOT! So now what? We hope some creative scheduling will let everyone work, everyone get their sleep and will keep the babies safe and happy. I hope this isn't the beginning of a long year!