Sunday, May 25

It’s 6:45 am and I’m sitting with Lois waiting for the Drs to show up. It’s a holiday weekend and even the nurses don’t know what to expect.

Yesterday was Day Two following surgery. Many of you know that Days Two and Three are much tougher than the first day after a major operation. Lois did OK most of the day but as the afternoon and early wore on, the pain level increased. Her last injection of pain medication was at 6:30 am yesterday. They are giving her tylenol with codine when she asks for it (or as often as its allowed) and she also has a morphine pump which she uses each time she moves from the bed to the chair or goes for a walk, etc.

In spite of the discomfort Lois pushed herself to walk five times yesterday. Each time she added to distance until the pain level came up last night. The final “walk” before she went to sleep for the night was mostly standing by the bed walking in place. We were able to get her comfortable laying on her left side and she says she slept well.

The resident for the surgical team just stopped by. The incision is looking good and they will write diet orders to “advance as tolerated” which means Lois can begin to eat more. The Drs are encouraged by the increasing urine output and the color of the drainage tube discharge which has gone from very dark to a light pink. I was given permission to walk her as much as she can tolerate and I can help her move from the bed to the chair anytime.

The Dr also will be taking her off the “morphine pump” and changing to pain medication by mouth which does a much better job of managing pain because its processed through the digestive tract. (Some of you know that pain medication injected through the IV only lasts for a little while since its not metabolized but just washes through the system and is quickly collection by the kidneys.)

Lois’ sister, Mary, from Minnesota drove in yesterday and will be staying through Monday. Cheryl came from Martinsburg and our family is still here.

Psalm 121 from The Message

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep.
God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke.
God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.

2 thoughts on “Sunday, May 25”

  1. Jim,
    Thank you so much for the update. Many are praying for your family. It is encouraging to hear Lois has been up so much and that the incision looks good. We know you to be faithful people, and your trust in God is obvious. Your light is shining bright in this time of trial.
    God’s blessings,
    The Sathoffs

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