The First 48

Waking up from surgery and feeling so optimistic and happy was a WONDERFUL thing.  But there were still some battles ahead.  Yesterday was exactly as we both expected it would be.  No sleep after surgery, because everything beeps all of the time.  His pain has been managed VERY well this round.  But that comes with a set of alarms and tests too.  He wants to bend his left arm, but the IV is in there.... alarm.  He has a pain pump that can slow your heart rate down a little.  Therefore, an oxygen monitor is required.  When it goes too low..... alarm.  And just when you think you've got it all figured out and rest can happen, it's time to check the vitals again.

Rinse and repeat.

This is surgery #4 in under 3 years for him.  We are starting to figure a few things out.  Doctors make rounds early.  Like, 6:00 am early.  Then it's changing of the guards for nurses on the floor.  Inevitably, it will be time to check vitals too.  From 6-7:30 in the morning, there's a flurry of activity when you really think you can't be awake 1 more minute.  Then.... nothing.  For almost 2 hours!!!!

If you are calling or texting us before 9 or 10, I can guarantee we're still asleep.  And it feels SOOOOO good!!!!!

Now, down to the nitty gritty.  Bryce was, of course, very tired yesterday.  They did take out his foley (sp?)/catheter.  Then the battle began.  He says he needs more fluids.  They say he's fine on fluids.  Bryce says he doesn't need to go to the restroom because there's nothing in there.  They say this is BAD!  This morning for the changing of the guards, he was PISSED!  It all snowballed to a very angry man by mid-morning.  When you and I are upset with something, we say what's upsetting us and it's over with.  He's tired.  He can't pee.  He's frustrated with the amount of things he's connected to.  NOW.... do all of that to a Bryce that can't talk.  Folks, I'm here to report.  It wasn't pretty.

They have this thing that can scan the bladder to measure how much fluid is in there.  Sort of like a pregnant woman looking at her baby via ultrasound, but a smaller scale.  This is no joke......  They brought in another machine because the first machine said he was empty.  They couldn't believe he had an empty bladder.  I can't tell you the satisfaction my husband gets from being right.  But he was!  He knows his body & he knew he wasn't getting enough.  They finally dumped a bag of fluids in his quickly and BOOM!  Guess what's happening normally??

He rested for a little bit after being so upset with everyone.  Once he got the fluids in him, his demeanor and mood were MUCH better.  His mom and brother came in and we all went for a walk to the Observation Deck.  It's lovely up there.  Then the trek back down.  Just when he was starting to drift off, more people started coming in to see him.  I'm pretty sure we've been contacted by every department in the building in the last 48 hours.  One lady we saw today said that she came by yesterday, but she was 4th in line.  She gave that a hard pass and saw him today.

Anyhow, it's 6:00 now and he's fast asleep for a little while.  And to leave this post with a pretty picture of some sort, I took one of the flowers his employer sent.  Thanks Fallbrook!!!!  They're beautiful!!!!