Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Hopefully, Doug's Last Post ;-)

Hello faithful readers. Shawndra had planned on catching up on the BLOG posts and comments tonight, and writing the next post, but sleepiness caught up to her tonight, so I'll jot a few comments about her progress over the last two days.

It's been an eventful day! Shawndra went from drinking clear liquids this morning, to eating a muffin and fruit this evening. The morphine pain delivery pump was removed tonight as well. She's back to taking (orally) Oxycodone and Oxycontin to control pain. Those of you in the health field will be proud of me... I've been doing a little "charting" myself this afternoon, by writing her Oxy* dosages on the whiteboard hanging in the hospital room. Mainly because she's been acting kind of loopy tonight; talking in her sleep, waking up and commenting about things out of the blue. Nurse Lindsay just came in with another 120mg of *contin, and Shawndra had just taken 120mg of her own supply three hours ago. Now, I'm no doctor, and never claim to be, but I'm thinking another dose like that could have turned out bad. In no way am I faulting the staff here (in fact, it's our own fault), it's just a bit of a mix-up on our part, not informing the staff tha she took her own supply. Dr. Foster's reaction when Shawndra told him her daily Oxy* intake was funny. He said something to the effect of "that's quite a load". Tonight Shawndra is feeling no pain. That's for sure.

I don't know how you nurses work in this profession. How do you handle eight patients at one time throughout a twelve hour shift? It's ridiculous! You guys/gals should be paid more! I have a new respect for the nursing profession.

Now check this out... Dr. Foster says he may discharge Shawndra TOMORROW! I can hardly believe it. (For precautions, though, we'll be staying in Omaha over the weekend and the first part of next week.) Is she a tough girl or what!?

Wow, it's like our whole lives for the past few weeks have been nothing but hospital this, surgery that. Our lives are more exciting than this. And we can't wait to start having some fun again with family and friends (and our little "punks").

Good night sweetie. Hope this is the last post I ever have to write. Not because I don't enjoy doing it, but because you're so much better at it. And I miss reading all the little things you post out there to the world, that you forget to tell me. I feel like I'm missing out on surprises. And if I may speak for the masses, everyone reading this is missing you too. LOL

- Doug

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Doug,
You're doing a fabulous job reporting the latest news! That's great that Shawndra might be released tomorrow to the hotel. If she feels like it this weekend, take her to the restaurant that's down on the river area. I can't remember the name,but it kind of looks like a marina, very nautical, and the food is fabulous. When Jen was released, Chris and I took her there to enjoy some REAL food. She sportingly went along, but I remember she was glad to get back to the motel bed. Just remember, baby steps...Please tell Shawndra I'm sending my love and prayers her way and tell Dr. Foster I said hello. Take care and rejoice in all of these successes!
Love and prayers,
Jan, here on earth, and Jen, our angel in heaven

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I was so excited to read Doug's latest post about your fabulous progress! How wonderful that you are doing so well! You are so strong and brave! I am sending best wishes your way for a continued speedy recovery and hopeful discharge from the hospital tomorrow. You and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Teegarden MD

Anonymous said...

Tomorrow?? Yeah! It was fun to see your name pop up on my caller ID today! Too bad I was stuck in that meeting. Oh well, you'll be home soon! Can't wait to see you and you better tell me what you want in the fridge. I've already got Diet Coke on the list. :-) Get some good rest in the hotel this weekend and get outside and enjoy this sunshine as soon as you can! See ya soon!!!! Wheeeee!!!!
Ang

Astraea said...

Doug, you've been great!!! Shawndra, we do miss you!!!

Keep healing. You've an amazing picture of courage and strength.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra and Family-

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Keep Believing!!!

The Mudge's

Anonymous said...

Doug,

You wonderful man, you. Thank you for sharing your beautiful love letters with the internet masses. The respect and love you have for Shawndra just radiates from your posts about her and to her. You are both so blessed to have one another. We are blessed to witness your marriage; it is truly a testament to what a marriage should aim to be.

Shawndra,

I can't wait to read your first post-op post (as much as I enjoy Doug's posts)! I can't believe your doctors are even considering sending you home tomorrow. To say you're a fighter is a huge exaggeration.

Keep that smile and keep thinking of the next time you get to snuggle your little Punks.

As always, you are all remembered in our thoughts and prayers.

jg

Anonymous said...

I meant to say...

"To say you're a fighter is a huge UNDERSTATEMENT."

And it is.

jg

Anonymous said...

WOoHoo~ Sounds like you are on your road to recovery = ) GOD is soooooooooo good!
Ok, on a side note, I asked Andrea yesterday about sending flowers, I am having them delivered to your room today- so umm if you get discharged, make sure to stop back at the nurses station if you didnt get them by time you leave, cause I dont want you not to recieve them, guess I should have waited on when you came home- but I was too excited when you got out of ICU and sent them right away...
Much love to all of you
***hugs, so proud of you -----

Anonymous said...

So, so happy to hear the news!!!! Shawndra, you are amazing!! Can't wait to read that you've been discharged and are feeling good!

Doug, thanks for all you've done to keep us all informed throughout this stressful week for your family. I appreciate it very much.

Sending lots of love and prayers your way.

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news! Shawndra and Doug you are an inspiration and a testiment to the power love and prayers!

Sandi

Anonymous said...

BLESSED THURSDAY MORNING TO U ALL,
SUCH WONDERFUL NEWS THAT U SHARE WITH US DOUG....U DO A FINE JOB ON THE POSTING...A CHANGE OF PACE IS ALWAYS GOOD....BUT GRATEFULLY SHAWNDRA WILL BE ABLE TO POST AGAIN SOON....THE GOOD LORD HAS BROUGHT U ALL DOWN A TOUGH ROAD...BUT THERE IS GREAT PEACE, FAITH AND LOTS OF LOVE AS U MOVE TO THE HOTEL ....I CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HER SPEEDY HEALING AND ARRIVAL SAFELY BACK AT HOME....WITH CHRISTIAN LOVE AND FRIENDHSIP, YOUR ANGEL OF PRAYER FROM KC, MO.....JEN MILLER

Anonymous said...

Doug,

I was eager to get some news again.
You're all part of our daily lives.

What you all have to learn!!
Take care with those medicines!!!!!!!!!
Ask, ask, and ask questions!
Don't take those damm medicines unless ALL STAFF is aware of it!!!

We're all so happy to hear those great news of her being released from the hospital that soon.

Just getting out of the hospital( I don't know how my pyisician husband can live in there) will be the BEST FOR BOTH OF YOU!!!

Keep up the overwhelmingly great news about her such fast recovery due to her most amazing WILL TO LIVE!!!!

Go on taking good care of yourselves.
Have fun with Ella being back this weekend, and most likely you all will be home by next week to go back to a more normal routine life.

Love,
Roswita

Anonymous said...

Such good news! I am so happy for you guys.


Doug,

You are doing a fantastic job. Thanks for all the updates.

Carol

Anonymous said...

good news! :-)
Sue

Paulette said...

Great job Doug, you have done such a great job! I enjoyed your posts very much. I am so thankful that Shawndra will be going home soon, she will heal so much better in her home inviroment, where she is safe, hopeful and loved. God bless your famiy, and thank-you Father for what you have done for Shawndra, please continue to make yourself present in her healing. You are an awesome God we serve.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update Doug, you're doing a great job! It's so good to hear that things are going well, and the possibility of getting discharged tomorrow - wow! I am sure she's looking forward to real food and something other than a hospital gown and bed...whew!!! that Never comes soon enough. Take care of her and your self as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon Shawndra!! You'll get home just in time for the weather to warm up hopefully! Yesterday was gorgeous here in Lee's Summit.

Take care! Deb

Anonymous said...

This journey through surgery is incredibly amazing. Shawndra, you give everyone out there hope and a postive outlook. You make us all look at life the way we should be seeing it and living it. You deserve nothing short of a miracle. Stay strong and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

nancygrayce said...

Doug, you're a great husband! I don't comment much, but I've been praying for Shawndra and your family since I first came upon her blog. She is tough! And so are you! It isn't easy being the caretaker and wishing you could take away the problem and feeling helpless at times!

BKNRC said...

I am just so excited for you. Getting released so soon, it's amazing. Shawndra, you truly are my hero!!

God Bless you both!!!

Kristi E.

Lisa said...

I have to first say...I totally agree...Us nurses do deserve raises!! LOL. But wow...You did scare the crud out of me(keeping it clean for the blog) when you posted you were taking your own meds in the hospital. WHAT????? That could have been a MAJOR MAJOR issue girl! Please be careful. Glad to hear you are doing so well and recovering so quickly! Enjoy the weekend!

Anonymous said...

Doug, thanks once again for the update, you're doing a great job! Shawndra, it is wonderful to hear you are progressing so quickly. But I honestly expected nothing less. Keep up the good work! Ellas return visit will also be a hefty dose of "good medicine" for you both. I look forward to the next post where hopefully Shawndra will be able to write.

Anonymous said...

YOU GO GIRL!!! Miss you both and love you both. I can't wait to be of use when you are all back home safe and sound.

Love, d

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear the fabulous news! So happy to hear that your progressing along well! I continue to keep praying for you and your wonderful family. Stay stong and keep the faith!! Stacy

Anonymous said...

ShawnD,
You are one strong mamma! We think of you every day and send you all of our prayers to keep up this speedy and complete recovery! :)
Doug,
Thanks for keeping us all posted and for being such a wonderful husband and father.

Liz

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, you are an truly amazing woman..a 12+ hour surgery, 3 days in the ICU and home in a week... I can hardly believe it! Have a great weekend and a safe trip home. Talk to you soon.
Love, Michelle B
BTW...Doug you are pretty amazing too!! :) Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

It is so good to hear that you are doing so well. Doug has done a great job keeping us posted. It will be so nice when you get the chance to be home again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish I could be there to make you a meal or help you with cleaning or whatever when you get home, but Colorado is a bit of a drive so if you or Doug have a chance, I would love your address so I can send you guys something. Take care!

Susan (Beaver) McRae
kmacandsuzyq@hotmail.com

Laurie said...

Doug,
Thanks so very much for the updates on Shawndra. You have done a super job! You're not Shawndra, but you'll do in a pinch! :oD

Great news! I hope all continues to go well. I can hear the joy in your voice!
Hugs
Laurie

Astraea said...

I pray all went well with the discharge. God bless.