This past week has been marked by one important event: Pam was in the hospital.
The episode started with a rash that was causing severe itching, so we went to the nearest clinic to have it looked at. After the source of the rash was diagnosed, Pam mentioned she had been having some abdominal discomfort as well. A blood test revealed pancreatitis was present and the clinic doctor insisted, in no uncertain terms, that immediate surgery was required.
To make a long story short, Pam entered the Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI on Friday night. (Hospital choices were either Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN or Gundersen in LaCrosse, a hospital from Pam’s old stomping grounds which was familiar to her). Saturday was spent running more tests and prepping Pam for gallbladder removal surgery, which occurred early Sunday morning.
The surgery was successful but long due to two complications: the gallbladder was deteriorating and sticking to the liver, so extra care had to be taken in removal so as not to damage the liver. After the gallbladder was removed laproscopically, another procedure called an ERCP, had to be performed to clear the duct between the pancreas and small intestine. It had been blocked with small gallstones.
The result was a much longer time under anesthesia than expected, in this case about 5 hours. Coming out was disorienting and scary for Pam and had the unwanted side effect of nausea. Not good times.
However, a day later on Monday afternoon, I was able to bring Pam home to Elma. She had been able to walk around and eat the light food provided by the hospital. Her recovery has few a limitations, the major one being restricted to not lifting more than 10 pounds at a time for the next 4 weeks. The largest source of discomfort is the larger incision made on Pam’s right side under the ribcage where the medical instruments had been inserted. All incisions are healing well, and her “internal processes” returned to normal post surgery.
The hospital is about a 270 mile round trip from Elma so I was on the road a great deal plus time at the hospital. We put in an emergency call to Pam’s sister Becky to see if she could come down and help out with pet care (6 cats, 3 dogs.) Becky was able to come to Elma, which was a tremendous load off our minds and allowed me to travel and spend time with Pam. We can’t thank Becky enough for her help!
While I did not take any photos of Pam in her hospital room, I did get a couple shots of her status board:
Pam is recovering and spending time talking to Becky and doing light household tasks. I am getting back to other projects such as putting up some garage shelves and replacing the hood on my John Deer lawn tractor. Life goes on.
We did have another issue this past week. Mr. Bibbs, one of our cats for the last 15 plus years, walked over the Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday. We buried him next to one of our other cats in the Elma back yard. Mr. Bibbs had not been well for some time so the end was not unexpected but I miss him.
I hope that is the end of traumatic events for a time. The weather is getting better, snow is mostly gone, grass is beginning to green up and it will soon be “major project time” as spring arrives. Who knows, maybe I can begin to enjoy my retirement!
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in.
Pam’s Penny:
Now I have an old age surgery story to tell. But I hate hospitals. They are so invasive – always needles, always vitals, always measuring every drop of fluid going in and out.
I’m going to be a terrible old person. Especially in the hospital.
Happy Trails.
You tell Pam to sit back and get better. She now has you home to help out! Enjoy the new home.
Thanks Deb. Pam is doing well and beginning to get back to performing household chores. Her sister, becky, is still here to help out as needed and I have taken over many of the pet care chores. We are doing OK!