Misbehaving

Our sister-in-laws left this morning after tending to us all weekend. Eileen’s mother (Eunice) will be here for about two weeks or so. Although Eunice is doing things that I could do, it is sure a relief to not face some of the tasks she does. Even though our sister-in-laws tended to us hand and foot, I was still very spent from the little that I contributed. I still attribute my weariness to recovering from the very busy month of June. So, although I joke about being waited on, it has been a real blessing. I hope to be back to my normal strength soon. I have many things I’d like to do, but those things will have to wait for the time being still.
Eileen continues to get stronger and is to the point at which she is going to do away with the Percocet and leave her pain in the hands of over-the-counter meds. She has been a little rambunctious but less so after one of our sister-in-laws told her about her co-worker who had to have her similar surgery redone after not taking it easy enough. That cooled Eileen’s heels in a hurry. While Eileen is truly progressing, some of her “feeling good” is from the excitement of having her mother and sister-in-laws here. She needs to make sure the excitement doesn’t lure her into misbehaving!!

We Are Blessed

Eileen continues to do much better. Her pain level fluctuates but is more easily managed. She went out for a little walk Sunday evening around the cul-de-sac. She isn’t supposed to sweat at all so she took it nice and easy.
All this extra help from her family is something that a guy could get used to!! Including the dog, Ellie, there are six females and me. I’m trying to stay on their good side!! However, I don’t want this to sound easier than it is. It’s tough having all these people wait on me!! Really though, this is giving me a great opportunity to get my systems reenergized and let those who came to help us do their thing. Believe me, they have been busy giving us every opportunity to heal and progress. As always, we are blessed.

Family Help

Whatever may ail me right now isn’t for a lack of sleep. I have slept more in the past two days than I can ever remember. It was especially nice today with family here to help; I could continue to recover from the whirlwind of June. In my inner core, I still feel weak and exhausted but I’ve taken the advice of so many of you: Let the family help with what they came down here to do. Perhaps because I know that it is only temporary, I’ve been able sit back (lie down) and let others make the household tick. We are grateful to Eileen’s mother and sister-in-laws. They came here to be a big help and they certainly are.
Eileen continues to improve. There are intervals in the day when she has no pain at all (with the aid of medication). That's a big improvement!! She too has been sleeping a lot but is getting stronger with each passing day. Again, it’s nice to have help here so we can mend. Even so, we still have to keep a watchful eye on Eileen. She isn’t supposed to pick up anything which weighs more than a carton of milk or do anything which involves repetitive bending or twisting. During times when her pain is zero or minimal, her internal motor wants to go forth. We’re making sure she remembers that the objective is healing, not mere pain relief. You know, I could probably use that advice myself once in a while!! Please keep the prayers coming; we are very grateful.

Progressing Along

Eileen is progressing along, doing fairly well, but had to go back to the Percocet. Both the pain and nausea are quite present but manageable. We are also getting a glimpse of things to come: It’s going to be tough to keep Eileen from doing too much. She’s used to doing as much as she feels like doing. Even as rough as she sometimes feels, she feels like doing a lot. The cavalry arrived Friday evening: Eileen’s Mom and sister-in-laws got here and have also joined the chorus of keeping Eileen quieter. They are a big help already and will lessen the load around here. Speaking of which…our youngest daughter has really stepped up to help in all aspects, even more than she normally does.
I did a little yard work Friday and can tell that my stamina is lacking. Furthermore, my arm didn’t appreciate the little that I did. I’m writing this Friday night and my arm and I are engaged in war. Further, over these months, I’ve taught Eileen how to work on my sore and spasmodic legs. I’ll be glad when she can do that again. They have quickly become a major obstacle. My stomach is contrary but nothing too severe. All in all, I can’t really complain too much especially when I think about people like my former classmate’s husband who has stage four prostatic cancer. We’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other and being thankful for everything we can.

First Night Home

Eileen slept pretty well last night, basically getting up to take pain medication. She went ahead and switch from the generic Percocet as it began making her increasingly nauseated. Now she’s taking other pain medication which keeps her pain around a “2” on the scale. She’d rather be at a “2” and not be nauseated than be at a “1” with nausea. Her demeanor remains excellent.
Eileen’s mother and sister-in-laws get here today. I need to get some things done before they get here this evening but I think I’ll wait until later to get started; hopefully, I’ll feel better by then. My stomach and arm are a mess and I’m very tired. I’m going back to bed and see if things will settle down. If not, maybe a little work will help!!

A Day’s End

Although “they” say generic drugs are the same as the brand name, I think we’ve all experienced the small differences. In Eileen’s case, the small difference is a good thing. This afternoon Eileen started on the generic Percocet they gave her; it hasn’t made her nauseated thus far. Therefore, the nausea is minimal and the narcotic is keeping her pelvic pain at a “1” on the pain scale. She has been napping well and we took a two hour nap this afternoon. It’s hard for Eileen to just lie around all day but she is staying pretty quiet. She goes back to the doctor in two weeks.

Home Sweet Home

Eileen got home this morning at around 11am. There were a few benchmarks throughout the morning at the hospital she had to achieve before they would release her, but she accomplished them fine. Although her pelvic pain is still pronounced, her abdominal stress was much better until she took another Percocet just before we headed home. She tried managing the pain with other medications but finally had to give in to the Percocet. She didn’t want to take the Percocet because of her reaction with it all day yesterday. Now, she is laid back in the recliner asleep feeling some better. I dropped her prescriptions off at the pharmacy on our way home from the hospital and will get them shortly.
Eileen just woke up and ate some soup. Her pain is now a “1” in her pelvis and her nausea is a “4.”