Pain in the Foot! (Toben)

OK, so Joanne had ankle surgery on Tuesday at a very nice, new facility in downtown Denver. We got the kids off to school, came home and packed an overnight (or over-two-night) bag and headed to pre-op at 10. I thought it seemed awfully early to head to the hospital for a 12:45 surgery but that's what they told us to do. And I'm glad because it takes a lot of time to get prepped for surgery! They mush have asked Joanne 100 questions about her stroke, her health, her diet, etc. She answered them all. My favorite was when she was asked, "What side effects have you experienced due to your stroke." Umm...you know she's in here for surgery right? I got a chuckle out of a number of the questions--the answers were so obvious! "When was the last time you drank anything." Answer: five minutes ago when you brought me some pills to take and gave me water to take them with.  Not the answer they were apparently looking for. Anyhow...

At 12:45 on the button she was wheeled back to surgery and Gran, Papa and I started "The Long Wait." They have this cool monitor int he waiting room that shows the patients progression through the process. There is one color for pre-op, one for in-procedure, one for recovery, and one for completed, so we could track along with what was going on. After about an hour and a half the surgeon came out and told us things had gone well. He said that instead of three small incisions, which he had hoped to make, he ended up needing to do one 6 inch incision from her heel up her ankle. We waited (impatiently) for another hour or so before they told us where we could see her.

The time actually passed pretty quickly. Jaime and Kristin came to sit with us and that helped a lot. They have been such faithful friends and we have all spent too much time together in hospital waiting rooms. 

Joanne was up in her room when we got to see her. She was...how do I say this...completely stoned. The anesthesia was lingering and she kept saying, "I feel funny." She was also pretty hungry since she hadn't been allowed to eat for a 18 hours before the surgery. So her "reward" for all this was a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup. She polished that off and was shortly after off to sleep. Sister Kristen came for a visit around 7 and Joanne was awake for about five minutes of that. 

Sleeping in the hospital is the pits! I stayed down with her and they had this chair that turned into a "bed." Not so much. It was more like a sheet of plywood with a scratchy, non-breathable fabric cover. I got a pillow and some blankets and tried to make the most of it. But anyone who has stayed int he hospital knows, the nurses are ever present. They came in almost hourly throughout the night to do this, that and the other. They changedIVs, took blood, took vitals, etc. All in all it was a long night, but Joanne remained pain free. 

Wednesday was a day of waiting. We waited for PT to come show us what we needed to know about doing life with an almost knee-high, non weight bearing, non waterproof cast. We did some transfers and they were convinced that we weren't going to endanger Joanne. So that went in the report. Then we waited for the surgeon to come in and check on things and clear us to check out. We waited almost all day. He made it to her room at 4, told us she was cleared to go home and that was that. It took another hour and a half to get her released but by 5:30 we were on our way and we pulled into our driveway by 6:15. 

Nana had dinner ready for us and for the girls. She had come up and spent time with the girls while the rest of us were with Joanne. Anyhow, we had a great dinner and the girls were very happy to have us all back together under one roof. 

Joanne had a long night. We made a great bed up for her on our over sized living room couch but she was cold, dealing with leg pain, trying to figure out were to put her large cast, etc. But she made it through.

Today we figured out how to do life. We have eating, sleeping and bath needs all taken care of! This is a huge deal as we all dealt with some fear and anxiety about how we were going to take care of all these things. But we did it! So now we know roughly our plan of attack for the next 6 weeks until she gets her walking cast.

Joanne is very relieved and had her smile back today now that this surgery is behind her. I think we are all feeling relieved. Joanne did two rounds of PT in the garage/gym today. Her dad took her for a nice walk/roll around the neighborhood. She planned some menuswith her mom for the next week. We had chicken sandwiches with Wade the boys too. Now at last she is on the couch/bed in front of a roaring fire with her iPhone in hand--the perfect picture of rest and contentment. Love it when that happens. 

Tonight we'll have great grilled cheese and tomato soup--a favorite of ours and then maybe watch a movie or something with the girls. Then sleep. I hope. 

Prayer requests:

1. Sleep and rest for Joanne. The day goes much better after a good night's sleep.

2. Please pray for the girls. I think all of the events of the last few days (and the last 10 months) have been harder on them than they let on. Please pray for their hearts that they will be able to survive this season and come out better for it on the other side. 

3. Praise, praise, praise that Joanne's surgery went well, that we were only one night in the hospital and that we have things well in hand here at home. God is so faithful!

Toben

Comments

[Lisa]

Praise the Lord the surgery is over and done with, sometimes that part and the waiting is the hardest thing to do. Praying for peace and healing.
I would like to share my Adult grill cheese sammies:

1 can of chedder cheese soup (campbells)
2 cups of your FAVORITE shredded cheese
Texas toast kind of bread

Mix the soup and cheese togther
Butter your bread like any other grill cheese sammie.

Plase an ample amount of your cheese mixture on the sammie and grill like you would a plain grilled cheese.

This is so yummy and gooey that I usually use a fork to make sure I get all the yummy cheese.

I also make yummy "Mater soup" I again use campbells and I only use milk with it. Hubby only use's water so I don't let him make mater soup for the family LOL.

Enjoy. Joanne are you still reading. I am missing your tweets about the books you read. I love checking out the books you post about, lets just say I am reading much more now ( I have always loved to read but with the little one's I don't get to read as much as I used to)

[Rebecca Presnell]

I am so glad the surgery went well, and that you all have figured out the logistics of maneuvering around the cast. I have been following Joanne's story for a while now, and I love reading your updates and specific prayer requests. I pray for your family daily.
(I recently had a minor surgical procedure recently too, so I totally get the "stoned" feeling! It was kind of fun, but I was glad when I felt normal again!)
My prayers to you all,
Rebecca

[Rose]

So glad Joanne is over this surgery. Now on to enjoying holidays! The couch in front of the fire sounds like a great place to direct, decorating, cooking, wrapping, shopping. Ummm is there room on that couch for some friends?

[Maribeth]

Isn't it amazing how soothing grilled cheese and tomato soup is? I'm praying so hard for you all.
Blessings!

[blessed]

What is it about grilled cheese and tomato soup that are the perfect comfort food? : )

So glad it all went so well, and hope this is a good weekend of family time and healing.

lisa c.

[Carol]

Praying for all of you in Las Vegas.

[Margie Smallman]

Many tons of prayers all the time on your family's behalf. Thankful to hear the surgery's over and this next chapter is on it's way.

[Dionna]

I am so glad the surgery went well. I know Joanne was so apprehensive about it. Your family has been through a lot - you are so intuitive to realize how this all may be impacting your daughters. Kids are resilient though. I would imagine your love, support, and faith in God will do loads in helping them ride through all of this.

[Jennifer]

So happy to read this post. Praying for Joanne, you and the girls in Fort Worth, Texas. You have much to be thankful for this year. Life is so precious, and God is so Great!

[Michelle from Australia]

Thank you so much for updating Toben. I have been wondering how Joanne went. We 'met' your family after reading about Joanne after her stroke and we've been praying for you all, and enjoying Kristin's amazing photography over on her blog, ever since. Our prayers for healing and for comfort for all will continue.

Good night from rather warm and hot Brisbane, Australia.

[Susan]

So relieved that surgery is behind you and that you are home recovering (instead of in a blechy hospital!). Sounds like Toben and the extra forces have everything in hand to help you recover. Glad to hear your smile is back, too. Hang in there. You are doing great! Prayers for your girls as well.

[Linda E]

Praying in TX!
We praise you Jesus for successful surgery!
And we ask you for complete healing for Joanne, strong hearts for the girls and a peaceful holiday season for the family.

[Karen Booker Schelhaas]

So glad!!!! I prayed and prayed!!!!

[Sandi in MN]

So glad all went well, I was thinking of you all yesterday. Thanks for the update, now to pray the next six weeks goes quickly!

[Michal]

Praise God and thank YOU for the good report. May the healing continue through all your love, faith and hard work. What a family! What a community!

[Pam Houston]

Praising God for answered prayer for Joanne's surgery, and trusting with you for the next step in her awesome recovery! Thank you for your detailed sharing Toben. So glad to hear Joanne is relaxed and comfortable before the fire in your own beautiful home. I am reminded of this old song: "You've come this far by faith, leaning on the LORD, trusting in His HOly Word, He's never failed you yet!" Continuing to fix our eyes upon Jesus...and rejoicing as the next step in Joanne's amazing journey unfolds.
A So. Cal. "Siesta",
Pam Houston

[Child of God]

Glad to hear this surgery is done and Joanne you are home!

Praying for a quick recovery and very happy spirits.

Blessings,
<><

[Laura]

Praying for sweet sleep for all of you! Such a courageous and amazing family. Xo

[r.elliott]

continued prayers for your family...sleep...endurance...Grace...Hope...and healing.