It woke up!!!!!

Melissa is pooping!!!! She started this morning at breakfast. This is what they have been waiting for. She was scheduled to change her bag this morning but had a problem because it didn't stop. They got it done but then it started leaking. So she had to change the bag again. Oh well lots of practice before she goes home. She also had the wound drain taken out. She is experiencing some pain because of that. She still has the central line in but they want to leave that in case they need to do a blood draw.

And speaking of going home, the plan is for her to go home tomorrow. Not sure when she will check out.

Again

Melissa will be in the hospital another day or two. She is having a lot of pain. At least here they have meds they can give her.

She is also having some problems with acid reflux. That leaves her nauseous. She did vomit last night and then didn't eat. Part of the acid reflux comes from her bowel not working right yet. Dr. Gerhardt says he is starting to hear more bowel sounds.

She is dozing a lot but I figure that is good because it allows her body to heal. If you are around she does enjoy visits or calls. Just be prepared that she might doze off on you. It helps to distract her.

She will get through this with the Lord's help.

Here we go again

Melissa will spend another night in the hospital. Her blood count is gradually going up now. They are thinking that the 6-mp had suppressed her bone marrow which is why her counts dropped. She is still in a lot of pain. She doesn't feel like eating. We are pushing her to eat, drink and walk. She knows she has to go through the pain but it is very hard.

Please keep remembering her in your prayers.

They have finally given her something to take off the water weight. Hopefully that will help some. She says her legs feel lighter already.

June 27, 2010 5:06 PM

More time in the Hospital

Melissa will spend more time in the hospital. She received the blood yesterday and her count went up. This morning the count had dropped slightly. She is in a lot of pain today. She says she has cankles-where her calfs and ankles have swollen so much you can't tell the difference. She says one arm looks like a turkey leg. Her blood pressure is slightly elevated. We are really pushing her to walk and drink, hoping that will help.

I'll know she's on the mend when she is ready to take this task over.

There might be hope that Melissa will get to go home on Sunday. She received two units of blood and when they checked her counts an hour later they had gone up 3 points which is good. They will check them again tomorrow morning to see what they are doing. Her stoma is waking up and starting to work now. I also took her a heating pad. That is helping her back. She says she can feel the muscles starting to relax.

Again thank you for everything you have done-prayers, calls, visits, cards, and even more prayers.

Please pray also for Drew, Melissa's boyfriend. He has been sick and has not got to spend the time at the hospital he would have liked to.

Still in Hospital

Melissa is still in the hospital. She received 2 units of blood late this morning/early afternoon. She is starting to put out more urine-a good thing Then the blood count dropped. She is also getting some of her pain meds through the IV port. She is having back pain and I brought her heating pad from home for her. It seems to be helping.

She hopes to go home tomorrow, but if the blood issue isn't resolved she may have to see her hematologist. She never does things the easy way. They will draw blood shortly and see where she is.