That Hobbit Lady

It seems like every time I come here it is to report good news about Mom! It might get a little repetitious, but I’ll keep reporting, because one can never have enough good news, right?

Mary called me last night to say that she and Ken visited Grandma in the hospital again, and her impression was that Grandmas was “a lot stronger” than she was on their previous visit. She noted that on their previous visit, Grandma was not very interested in food, but now she is eating more. She did say that it is difficult for her to eat the hospital food, because she is on a “no salt” diet, and they keep giving her food that is salty! They might get it to “low salt” but can’t seem to manage “NO salt.” But once she gets home, I hear there is plenty of food there that she can eat.

Also talked to my Dad this morning, and he mentioned that Mom is walking up and down the halls in the hospital. Now, I’m sure she’s not ready to run a marathon, but it’s good to hear that she is getting up and moving around! This is so much better than after her last surgery!

Well, once again I say, if anyone has any additional news, please feel free to share it here!

Wouldn’t you know it? I got up for two minutes to use the bathroom, and when I came back to my desk, I had a phone message! Mom called to say that there is a possibility she may be going home from the hospital tomorrow, and the Doctor thinks she may not need the pacemaker!

She also said “I’m feeling stronger, but it’s going to be a long recovery.” Well….open heart surgery? I would think so! But the good news is that she is feeling stronger, and may be going home soon!

I’ll keep you updated as I hear more!

Well, it’s been almost a week since Mom’s operation, and I just heard from her by phone, so I’ll give a quick update. She continues to be convinced that she is doing so much better after this surgery than she was after the first one.

She has had a couple of things happen that are commonly part of the recovery from this surgery. Specifically the “water on the lungs,” which they are treating and it is getting better, so nowhere near as bad as the last time. Also there was some “heart racing” so they had to hook up a pacemaker, but the nurses tell her this is common after surgery and at the moment it is under control. But because of the heart racing, they want to keep her in the hospital an extra week, to monitor how that goes, if it will happen again, and if it is something they can control with medication, or will she need to have a pacemaker installed. If they do, she says it is a much simpler surgery, only taking an hour or so.

The main impression I continue to get is that her attitude towards all this is GOOD and she is delighted that the recovery is going so much better than it did after her last surgery. She’s just a bit annoyed that some of the nurses tell her one thing about what she should be doing, and another nurse tells her the opposite, so she doesn’t know if she’s coming or going! I can see how that would be annoying to get contradictory advice. I hope she will ask the doctor, and get it “straight from the horse’s mouth,” so to speak.

If anyone hears any more from Mom, please feel free to post a comment here. Thanks again for everyone who is praying and wishing her well!

Mary and Ken visited “Grandma” in the hospital last night, and this is what Mary reports:

She seems good, she is very optimistic about things this time
She said she is very tired, but is feeling better every day
She is hoping to be home by Sunday
But she is disappointed because the Dr. thinks she’ll need to have a pacemaker, and she really doesn’t want one

Mary also says:

The hospital is nice
Very clean and professional staff

Mom called Terry today and reports that she has been moved to a “regular room,” out of ICU. They also took out the foley catheter, so now she has to walk to the bathroom, and as I am understanding this, having to walk is somehat uncomfortable. But overall, still improving.

Terry sent me this photo today in a text, saying a picture is worth a thousand words. I would say that smile is worth a thousand words! Who would have expected to see Mom smiling like that so soon after surgery?

It took me a little bit to figure out the technology on how to get this picture into my computer (okay. I admit: I asked Terry to email it to me, can’t seem to get my phone and my computer to talk to each other) but here it is!

Thanks again to everyone who is sending prayers and positive energy her way!

Talked to Mom this morning. Yes! Two days out from surgery and she is making phone calls! She sounded pretty good. She said they have decided to keep her in ICU a day longer, since the fluids are starting to build up in her lungs, like last time, and they are treating it. But she said she feels a lot stronger, like she will be able to fight it so much better this time.

If anyone hears anything more, please post here for all to see. Thanks!

I got a voice mail from Dad, and he kind of chuckled about the way I spelled the doctor’s name. He says it’s Tabry, not Tabloulli, or whatever it is that I wrote earlier. (Hey! I’ve just been copying what Terry texts to me.) 🙂

Well, whatever that doctor’s name is, he seems to know his stuff! Dad says Mom is “feeling very good” and she is “a completely different person,” and probably tomorrow they will be moving her to another room. I’m imagining that means moving her out of ICU because she’s doing so well.

I have just heard from Terry with some exceptionally good news. She writes:

Just spoke to mom. She is doing in her words “exceptional.” No comparison to last time. 100% better. She is still in ICU aond doesn’t know for sure how long she will be there. She ate some eggs for breakfast and kept it down. Very good news.

I’ll say! Thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes!

I just heard from Terry again. Here’s what she says:

Just got another update from Dad. He called to see how she was doing, and everything is good. They took out her breathing tube, she is sitting up and talking. Dad will see her tomorrow at 9am.

This sounds very encouraging!