Monday, October 10, 2011

Pain, Pain Go Away!!!

Pain is yet another necessary evil in this journey to a healthier back. After recovery, Dad and I met mom in her private hospital room. As she entered, I could tell she was in pretty bad condition. She was obviously still very out of it from the "sleepy cocktail", but I could tell by the look on her face that she was in a lot of pain. Surprisingly, her biggest complaints were about the pain in her joints, her horrible headache and having an extremely dry mouth. All of these symptoms are consistent with the symptoms of Sjogren's Disease that have flared up since she went off of her pain medications two weeks ago. I was able to feed her some ice chips (Blake would appreciate the kind of ice they have here - crunchy pellets :)) and that seemed to help her dry mouth ever so slightly. As the nurses got Mom settled into her room, Dad and I went downstairs for a quick bite to eat, which helped my energy level. I think my nerves from waiting were suppressing my appetite!! When I got back up to the room, they still hadn't given Mom the pain medications the Dr. had ordered. She is on Diladin, which is a very potent form of Morphin, so we are hoping that will help the pain. Right before they were able to give her a dose of Diladin, she said her pain at the surgical site (her abdomen - right below her belly button) had increased a lot and the surrounding muscles were starting to ache as well. Another painful area is the lumbar part of her back because the Dr. said he "cranked the curve in her back." We believe this translates to creating a curve in her lower back...this needed to be done because Mom previously had a flat lower back and lacked the arch that most people have. In her dazed state, Mom tells me that they gave her a "J. Lo booty"...this definitely gave me a good laugh!! :). They finally gave her a dose of Diladin through her IV, but she is still in a lot of pain and we are waiting for a machine to administer the pain medication continuously. WIth this machine, she will also have the option of pressing a button to give her additional pain medication. She also has an ice pack for her head and neck, but it doesn't seem to be doing nearly enough for the pain. We are hopefuly the medication will come soon and relief will follow. Mom has enjoyed some lemon italian ice (which she really loved - surprise, surprise ;)) and now she is in and out of resting. Thank you to everyone for your kind comments, words of encouragement and support through this difficult time for Mom. I have passed on your well wishes to her and she appreciates them more than you know! We need to keep the positive flow of energy going as she has already expressed that she is dreading her surgery on Thursday. My heart goes out to her, and I just wish I could do more to alleviate the pain she has to endure!!!

5 comments:

  1. We are glad that she is over the first hurdle, but unhappy to hear she is in such pain. Thank you, Julie, for keeping us so current with what is happening. Much love to all of you---CeCe and Papa XO

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  2. Thinking of you Lettice! - It will only get better from here...Meredith

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  3. Poor thing... so sorry Miss Lenna!

    XXOO to all.

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  4. I can only hope by now you have a continuos flow of the "good stuff"! Just want you to know the boys were NOT themselves today am I can only believe it is because they can feel your pain! Love and hugs

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  5. Lettice, so sorry you have to endure, what sounds like excruciating pain! Hopefully that medicine machine starts cranky the good stuff so you get some relief! We are thinking of you! Stay strong! You have lots of folks that are praying for you....including Bill & I!!!!!!

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