More info on the Surgery

So many of you have asked for more information about Bob's surgery. So, instead of typing it all out for each of you, I'm copying a few of the emails I sent out here.

March 11, 2009 5:17pm
Hi all
We arrived at the hospital at 9am so Bob could have all the pre-op testing done. Then he went into the pre-op room at 2 and into surgery about 3 . . . he'll be on the table for about 4 hours and then in post op for another 6 or so. He'll get back to the room somewhere around midnight. They have told me I can go home for tonight cause there is nothing I can do to help until tomorrow . . . haven't decided if I'll do that or not. There is a bed in his room for me, and I can't see why I would go home and then come back at 7am . . . so I'll probaby stay here. (I actually went out for dinner with a few girl friends instead of hanging around the hospital!)
So, I really have nothing to report . . . and won't for a while.
Thanks again for all your good wishes . . . I have complete faith that all will be well!!! I'll let you know as soon as I know anything . . .
Thanks, again!!
Trish


March 11, 2009 9:30pm
First of all, thank you all for all you good thoughts and wishes! They obviously worked, as he got rolled back into the room about 8:30pm . . . good thing I decided to stay the night after all!
He was groggy and thirsty and didn't want the interns to move him from the gurney to the bed, he wanted to do it himself. Of course, they wouldn't let him . . . he has tubes all over the place. The nurse got him all organised and I rubbed his feet and legs and arms cause he was cold.
Dr Roman came in about 9pm to see how he was and reported that the surgery went exactly as planned. He used a bunch of jargon and I wasn't paying too much attention, so will have to talk to him again in the morning.
Dr Roman brought Bob a cup of coffee, (He has no memory of this!) as that was what Bob complained most about this morning . . . not being able to have milk and sugar in his coffee! Of course, now he doesn't want the coffee, he just wants juice, which the nurse brought . . . really good, milky mango flavor (I tested it for him).
He is now sleeping peacefully . . . hopefully till morning when he will have a good breakfast. Dr. Roman says the catheter will come out of his back tomorrow afternoon and then he will be up on his feet.
The most amazing thing happened today! We had been told we would have wifi for the computer in the room. So, when we settled in this morning we checked . . . there was one unsecured connection and it kept dropping every 5 minutes. So, I when Karla came in, I mentioned it to her and she said she'd have the computer person come around and give me the password for a secure line. That person came by about an hour later and we got hooked up to a secure line, but she thought it was too slow so
she said someone else would come by in a little while and give us a hard connection! About 4 this afternoon, 3 maintenance guys showed up, opened the window and yelled out to another guy who was up on the roof. This guy threw a wire down, the fellows in the room caught it and plugged it into the computer!!! They used electrical tape to secure it to the wall/window . . . and there we are, all set up
with a hard line!!! Would this happen in Canada? In the States? Amazing!!!!
Anyway . . . better go check on the patient! Conchita just came in, looked him over and said everything is good, but I like to check myself!
Thanks again for all the good wishes . . . keep them up, as I'm going to need them for the next few days while he lazes around in bed!
I'll keep you updated as things happen!
Trish


March 12, 2009 3:30pm
Gads, it must be nice . . . snoozing away all day . . . having me around feed him, to fix the blankets, to help him roll over, to run across the street for Americanos and carrot muffins . . . he is getting spoiled!
But, he is doing well. He was in a lot of pain this morning so they upped his meds . . . now he is happy! He has tubes on both sides, one sending meds and stuff in and the other draining the incision area. So, he is kind of tied to the bed. He did sit up for a few minutes this morning . . . so he could get as close as possible to the window so he could have a few puffs of a cigarette. Dr Ramon (the neurologist) told him "Absolutely no smoking! . . . just open the window and don't tell anyone". Gloria, the nurse, came in 10 minutes after his smoke and just looked around and said we should leave the window open a little bit longer.
Dr Ramon said that the surgery went well, exactly as expected and no surprises. He cleaned up a lot of bone chips, scraped out several discs and totally removed one. He says that cartilage type stuff will grow in and replace the discs . . . and it is much better than putting titanium rods in. He will still have some flexibility . . . and no more discomfort from the herniated discs. (Don't quote me on this stuff!)
So . . . he is going to be here several more days . . . he can have a shower tomorrow . . . such excitment!!!
We are enjoying this afternoon . . . I've been reading his novel to him. It is a Stephen King, which I don't usually enjoy, but reading it out loud isn't so bad. I went for a walk in the neighbourhood this afternoon. There is an awesome looking rotisserie chicken place around the corner . . . guess what we're having for lunch tomorrow! The food here is pretty bland, but lots of it . . . to be expected, I suppose, at a hospital.
I normally have a Spanish class Thursday mornings, but when I told Monica I wouldn't be able to make it today, she suggested that she come to the Hospital for the class. So, Monica will give Sharon and I a Spanish class tomorrow morning, here at the hospital. There is some bi-lingual staff at this hospital so we haven't had too many problems communicating.
So . . . just wanted to let you all know that things are going as well as can be expected.
Thank you again, for all your well wishes!
Trish and Bob


March 14, 2009 5:00pm
Yeah!! Bob came home this afternoon! He is pretty drugged up, so not feeling
too much pain at all. He is moving very slowly and carefully and I'm hoping will
sleep a lot over the next few days.
Dr Roman is very pleased with Bob's recovery. He took out the drainage tube
yesterday which gave him a lot more freedom. Then they took out the IV late
last night, giving him complete freedom. He enjoyed his first shower very much.
He came home this afternoon with an arsenal of drugs and he has to go back on
Wednesday to have the staples removed. He is walking around a bit and only had
to stop and rest once on the stairs up to our apartment.
My Spanish teacher, Monica, came to the hospital yesterday and gave Sharon
and I our lesson right there. Unfortunately, my mind was mush and I don't think
I'll remember a single thing . . . but it was awful nice of her! After the class I pretty much crashed and burned . . . so deserted Bob and went home about 1pm. I slept almost straight through till 9am this morning.
We had thought he wouldn't be released till Sunday or Monday, but Monday being
a Stat Holiday, I think they were trying to get rid of everyone they could! Bob was
pretty bored and will be happier at home anyway. He found the food in the hospital
to be pretty typically bland and is looking forward to my cooking. Little does he know he is going to be getting a lot of bran in order to keep things "moving".
Bob says thank you to everyone who has offered their support and good wishes! I have
read him all your messages. He will be getting back to you before too long. I'm trying to keep him from sitting in front of his computer for too long . . . but I suspect when the Stock Market opens on Monday morning he'll be right there!
And I thank all of you for your support also! You have all told me to make sure that
I take care of myself so that I can take care of him and I have been doing just that.
Yesterdays sleep . . . and some extra chocolate rations have made a big difference
. . . I am bright eyed and bushy tailed again today! Now that we are home it will be
much easier for me to rest when I need it!
Thanks again!!!
Trish and Bob


Update, April 2, 2009
Bob is doing very well. He is getting out most days to walk several blocks or to take a cab to a restaurant for a meal. He is usually pretty tired afterwards. He has been complaining (whining!) that he is in some discomfort, but Dr Ramon says that is to be expected and that after he starts physio (probably next week) he will start to feel much better. In the mean time the bones are mending. He will be heading back to Victoria after his physical therapy is finished . . . maybe four to six weeks.
Thanks again, for all your good wishes and prayers! All is good!
Check out the photos in my album . . . if this link doesn't work, just go to my "Newer photos" link to the left and click on the "Surgery" album. I've taken out some of the more gruesome ones!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teedublu/sets/72157615407036078/
TW