hospital date night

Wendy didn't have a great sleep last night. Her roommate was up most of the night in a lot of audible pain. Thankfully her roommate was moved and Wendy is enjoying her own room again. As a matter of fact Wendy's room was especially chosen for her. The room is at the end of a hall and has more privacy than most. One of the charge nurses, Nurse Jackie requested the room for Wendy when she was transferred down from the ICU. Nurse Jackie's daughter stayed in the exact bed and room that Wendy is currently in a few years back. Nurse Jackie's daughter is living with a brain tumor. Her brain tumor is inoperable and she is not hire able. Her daughter is married and doing well right now, but please keep Nurse Jackie and her daughter in your prayers. Thank you God for special treatment for special Wendy.

Wendy's is free at last from her IV pole! Her PICC line now has a saline lock on it. She will go home with the PICC line, but it is currently not in use. She feels like a free woman.

Wendy is no longer on any antibiotics. She had all of the Steri-Strips (except for a couple) removed from her large incision site. No more daily Betadine cleanings and changing of Steri- Strips.

The pain management team really thinks they have "nailed" Wendy's pain medication regiment. Her pain ranged from a 5 to a 6 1/2 yesterday.

Wendy went on three walks yesterday. She and Micah went on the final walk of the night together. While they were walking GB set up a special dinner date night for the two of them. She placed two hospital dinner trays across from one another, put a pillow in the chair for Wendy and said, "dinner is served" when they returned from the walk. They got to sit and eat dinner together, alone, with no interruptions. GB joked, "sorry I couldn't find a candle." That first dinner date out in the real world will be so sweet, but probably just as special as last night's in the hospital.

Dr. Calhoun has officially recorded in Wendy's orders that she can now go outside in a wheelchair to get some fresh air.

Wendy's PT introduced her to a quad cane yesterday. Wendy walked twenty feet with the cane. She has to be taught how to walk with the cane so that she doesn't injure her knee. Her knee is very vulnerable at this point. Injuring it could cause arthritis down the road.

She will have a blood panel done today. Dr. Calhoun wants her to have more red blood cells. She is slightly anemic. She will start receiving Vitamin C and iron today.

Due to the fact that Wendy is enjoying and craving good foods like yogurt, granola bars, and pizza the TPN line has been removed. It is now up to her to get all of the nutrients, protein, and calories she needs from food. One less line!

Please pray for a dear nurse at UC Davis, Nurse Kerri and her family. Nurse Kerri's sister adopted two boys from China. They just recently returned from China with their youngest son, Jessie. Jessie is two years old and needs to have surgery to repair his club feet. Please pray for this dear family and little Jessie's surgery, his healing, and his adjustment to his new family and home.