NCatena
07-05-2004, 05:37 PM
Hi everyone!
The girls are doing great! They were getting a little cabin fever today, so we took them to Michael's craft store to get them "something to do".
This has been such a good experience for them both, although they have asked the timeless question, "What was I thinking?" a few times today.
When they arrived at the hospital, we went directly to the pre-op area. The first bit of great news was that my dear friend of 45 years (Sharon) was in the OR that day. She stopped by to see the girls, having not looked at her schedule yet. She gave them each a word of encouragement, and went off to check her assignment.
Then, the anethesiologist popped in. ANOTHER friend!! He was supposed to be off that day. I have no idea why he was there, but we were relieved to know he was with them.
7:30 am. Kristen went first. She was a little queasy when the IV was started, but that passed quickly, and it was off to the OR. Kaelin was very relaxed (without meds) and napped in her chair while we waited. Before long, it was time for her to go.
Dr. Allam came out to see us, and said all was well with Kristen, and rushed off to scrub for Kaelin. At that point, Sharon popped in to the waiting room. She was grinning from ear to ear when she told me that SHE was Dr. Allam's scrub nurse that day! (Not her typical assignment!!!) She said that the surgery had gone very well, and was off to join Dr. Allam for #2!
Once everything was done, the girls went upstairs, and the fun began! My husband and I ran back and forth between rooms. The girls were in good hands, so we felt very at ease. Then, I spotted another familiar face. A woman I had gone to high school with. She had recently gotten her R.N., and was their evening nurse. She was wonderfully helpful, arranging for me to have a bed/chair to sleep in, and such.
The next day, when they were more alert, the girls told me that my friend Sharon in the OR had held their hands as they fell asleep, assuring them that they were in good hands, and all would be well.
They walked their little fannies off at the hospital. I made a game out of telling them, "Your sister just did 4 laps"! (This, of course, prompted a 5 lap stroll!!) They were released right on schedule-Saturday morning. Since Dr. Allam was away, his covering MD pulled the drains. Kaelin first~ not a peep!!! Then Kristen, whose drain was already bothering her more, who let out a yelp, but recovered quickly!
Aside from the typical moderate pain of abdominal surgery, they are doing amazingly well. They are up and about, laughing and joking with each other. They are both able to sleep on their sides in their own beds. (I admit I am a bit jealous!!)
Thanks to all of you for your e-mails and phone calls. If anyone has any good "Stage 2 food ideas" please post them. I made them a nice hearty chicken soup today, and whipped it up in the blender, but they are (as we all were) bored with the typical stuff, and looking for a new taste sensation! :p
See all of you at the next meeting. Until then................be good!!
Nanette
The girls are doing great! They were getting a little cabin fever today, so we took them to Michael's craft store to get them "something to do".
This has been such a good experience for them both, although they have asked the timeless question, "What was I thinking?" a few times today.
When they arrived at the hospital, we went directly to the pre-op area. The first bit of great news was that my dear friend of 45 years (Sharon) was in the OR that day. She stopped by to see the girls, having not looked at her schedule yet. She gave them each a word of encouragement, and went off to check her assignment.
Then, the anethesiologist popped in. ANOTHER friend!! He was supposed to be off that day. I have no idea why he was there, but we were relieved to know he was with them.
7:30 am. Kristen went first. She was a little queasy when the IV was started, but that passed quickly, and it was off to the OR. Kaelin was very relaxed (without meds) and napped in her chair while we waited. Before long, it was time for her to go.
Dr. Allam came out to see us, and said all was well with Kristen, and rushed off to scrub for Kaelin. At that point, Sharon popped in to the waiting room. She was grinning from ear to ear when she told me that SHE was Dr. Allam's scrub nurse that day! (Not her typical assignment!!!) She said that the surgery had gone very well, and was off to join Dr. Allam for #2!
Once everything was done, the girls went upstairs, and the fun began! My husband and I ran back and forth between rooms. The girls were in good hands, so we felt very at ease. Then, I spotted another familiar face. A woman I had gone to high school with. She had recently gotten her R.N., and was their evening nurse. She was wonderfully helpful, arranging for me to have a bed/chair to sleep in, and such.
The next day, when they were more alert, the girls told me that my friend Sharon in the OR had held their hands as they fell asleep, assuring them that they were in good hands, and all would be well.
They walked their little fannies off at the hospital. I made a game out of telling them, "Your sister just did 4 laps"! (This, of course, prompted a 5 lap stroll!!) They were released right on schedule-Saturday morning. Since Dr. Allam was away, his covering MD pulled the drains. Kaelin first~ not a peep!!! Then Kristen, whose drain was already bothering her more, who let out a yelp, but recovered quickly!
Aside from the typical moderate pain of abdominal surgery, they are doing amazingly well. They are up and about, laughing and joking with each other. They are both able to sleep on their sides in their own beds. (I admit I am a bit jealous!!)
Thanks to all of you for your e-mails and phone calls. If anyone has any good "Stage 2 food ideas" please post them. I made them a nice hearty chicken soup today, and whipped it up in the blender, but they are (as we all were) bored with the typical stuff, and looking for a new taste sensation! :p
See all of you at the next meeting. Until then................be good!!
Nanette