home, sweet home

13 years 1 month ago #36323 by CatherineH
Replied by CatherineH on topic home, sweet home
That is such a wonderful report! Fresh air truly does do a body good, as does regaining independence and confidence in one's ability to participate in "normal" things like making breakfast we tend to take for granted in better times.

So happy for you both!!! :woohoo:

Catherine

Best wishes... Catherine

TURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN

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13 years 1 month ago #36322 by clueless
Replied by clueless on topic home, sweet home
George fixed his own breakfast in the kitchen today. I found a walker that also has a seat and he used it, and sat down to work on the counter. Since he is not allowed to reach up or down or bend or twist etc etc I handed him all the stuff.

Then, after his mid day nap, we went outside and sat in the sunshine for a bit. First time in 6 weeks he got fresh air... and we had a lovely, warm day here.

The difference in him since he came home is just great.

I am sooo happy to have him home!

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13 years 1 month ago #36232 by clueless
Replied by clueless on topic home, sweet home
Had the physical therapist come by today and he is impressed with George's progress since the hospital.

George is gaining strength day to day...

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13 years 2 months ago #36194 by clueless
Replied by clueless on topic home, sweet home
This wound-vac thing is nothing short of miraculous. He had his entire belly slashed open from top to bottom and they didn't want it to heal from the outside in but from the inside out so the belly musculature would be strong.

So they left the whole thing open (after sewing the inner muscle tissue shut) and put big sponges in it, covered with a thin plastic film that adheres to the skin. A hose is stuck into that and a suction machine attached.

In some 10 days, the wound is a third of its size, and it seems to be healing faster every day. No scar in the healed areas. There will eventually be a scar when the wound is so small that the sponge (only one now) is discontinued and just a dressing applied.

We have a nurse coming in every other day to change the sponge. If you ever end up with an enormous wound, ask if it's possible to get a wound-vac instead of being stapled shut. The speed of healing defies reason, and infection is totally impossible.

We're continuing to progress, slowly but surely, and are in good spirits. :)

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13 years 2 months ago #36181 by GKLINE
Replied by GKLINE on topic home, sweet home
I too remember the absolute thrill of coming home. Just waking up in the living room with the sun streaming in through the windows and knowing I was away from the trauma ward, made me feel complete again.

Now you can begin to really heal


George

Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he's warm forever.

08/08/08...RC neo bladder
09/09/09...New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]

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13 years 2 months ago #36177 by motomike
Replied by motomike on topic home, sweet home
As I hobbled in the house after surgery I felt a wave of optimism come over me. It was a complete attitude change & I felt that all was well with the world. I think I know how he felt as he returned home. Home is where the optimism lives.

I'm 70, retired heat/air contractor. After 4 months of keymo ileal conduit (IC) surgery removed bladder & prostate May 2010

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