Hello family & friends....
We just returned home from the clinic. Neither of us got any sleep, so we are planning to rest and and get caught up on sleep tonight. Andrew's soccer team actually plays Tri Valley this evening. I would love to go if the spasm and pain medications kick in.
Okay....so going into this EVERYONE assured us we would be going home yesterday after the surgery. We would even reply to not promise us anything because it never works out for us but they insisted this was going to be an easy & quick procedure. Just taking pictures of all the areas then sending us home.
The operating rooms got very backed up due to a couple of complicated surgeries so my 1pm surgery started around 6pm. 6 hours in this tiny pre op cubby with a tv that had terrible speakers. We had to laugh and stay positive but after 6 hours....well you can imagine.
My operating team was wonderful.....so kind and supportive. No anesthesiologist fighting with nurses. I went under very easily. When they woke me in recovery I remember somebody telling me the doctor wanted us to stay the night and I saw lots of blood in the catheter bag (sorry for the graphic details) It scared me and I called on my angels until Mike got there to tell me what happened. In recovery, they let visitors come in for 10 minutes and they have been very strict in all my past surgeries. I asked for Mike the minute they woke me up and when he finally got in there around 9pm, they let him stay with me the whole time.
If I understand correctly, where the kidney meets the ureter, it's narrowing from the scar tissue. So they removed the old stint, lazered a larger opening to the kidney and put in a bigger stint (bigger in width, not length). (That explained the blood.) I had to drink lots and lots of water during the night and by morning it was much better. This stint will stay in for 6-8 weeks and there is a 70% chance this will be the end of my stint stories!
They took me to a "short stay" ward where there were lots of people, men and women, in little curtained cubby areas, but no soft chair for Mike. He sat up in the little hard chair until he was too tired, then he went out to the little lobby which had the same chairs and a round table. He headed down to the main lobby at the clinic and actually got a little comfortable until a woman told him she was going to sweep. So he headed back up to my floor and the little lobby.
I stayed up drinking water all night and at 4am the dreaded blood sample was needed....4 tries until they finally got a slow moving vein. It was a darling little Phillipine nurse who kept assuring me that she is great at getting blood. She does it for all her patients. She said my veins are very deep. She was precious...I felt so bad for her. She tried 3 times then called in the Swat team. Mike came back in with me around 5:15am. We looked like a couple of zombies.
I admit to having some discomfort but all systems are working.
Still trying to keep the positive attitudes despite all the things going wrong.
In my recovery room prayers, I asked God to send Grandpa and Grandma Holdren and I held out my hands for them, one on each side of my bed. I calmed down until Mike got there. I felt their presence. What a blessing!
Valerie is running a 5K race for MDA in memory of her Aunt Karla this Saturday. I would like to be there to see her cross the finish line. Karla died at the age of 26. She was a wonderful aunt to our children and a great friend to me. We miss her and I'm so proud of Val for doing this run. It is sponsored by the Coshocton Fire Department.
I will be walking with the "Hopewalkers" team for the "Light the Night" cancer walk on September 20th. It's a little over a mile at OUZ and it's so moving and powerful to be a part of it. We are walking in honor of and with Ginger Miller. This walk donates money for researching blood cancers. Maybe we will see you there. I have a website for donations , but I think you will have to copy and past the link below!
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnColumb/2101_lesliebebout
Thank you for your love and support.
Amy B...we stopped at Wal Mart to get me a stadium chair so I could go to the TV-Riverview football game on Friday! Go Dawgs! It will be a great game! Our Logan is #31! It's very exciting to think about Marcus on the RV high school team!!! You have wonderful sons....and your husband is pretty great too! Todd...thanks for singing our song "To Love Somebody" at Val's birthday dinner. I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person to hear it but it sounded incredible over the phone line! We have an anniversary in November....it could be a perfect time for another performance!
Teresa...thank you for your faithful blog comments all the way from Louisiana! You make me laugh and you inspire me!
Donna...the scripture you sent in one of your recent blog comments was just what I needed to see that day. God is good and knows our needs before we do!!
It's great to be home...
love to all,
Leslie
Valerie...thank you for keeping up the blog! I thought about you during that 4am blood draw! It made it easier thinking about our "special" blood draw times together! I'll be glad when our special times are shopping trips to the mall and fun dinners! I love you!
Chad...thank you for the phone call while we were in recovery! It came just at the right time. It was wonderful to hear your voice! Hope we can see you soon!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Surgery Complete
Surgery started at 6:18, and Mom just got out of surgery (7:30), they replaced her current stint with a wider one, and it will be looked at again in 6 weeks to see if it has fixed the scar tissue. They are keeping her overnight. I will check back in the morning. Dad will call in the morning.
It is 7:30am on Wednesday and I just talked to Mom, her and Dad did not get any sleep, she is worried b/c her glucose level is up. Waiting on the doctors to come in.
9:30am.....they are getting ready to be discharged. Something else was done yesterday during surgery where they had to make an incision, but Mom can explain it when she gets home. Hopefully it will do the trick in getting things back to normal.
It is 7:30am on Wednesday and I just talked to Mom, her and Dad did not get any sleep, she is worried b/c her glucose level is up. Waiting on the doctors to come in.
9:30am.....they are getting ready to be discharged. Something else was done yesterday during surgery where they had to make an incision, but Mom can explain it when she gets home. Hopefully it will do the trick in getting things back to normal.
Ready for Surgery and STILL Waiting.....
Okay, so Mom and Dad had a great day yesterday in Cleveland, they were both relaxing and very prepared for today. They made it sound like today's agenda was basically exploratory and to take photos of everything (her kidney, her stint, her complication areas) then they could better plan on how things are healing and what is next in fixing them for the next surgery.
SO TODAY....they got to the Surgery center around 11:15 and they took Mom back, put in her IV, she was all prepped for surgery and it is now 4:00 as I am typing this and she is STILL in the prep area waiting to be wheeled back and they told her it will probably be 2 more hours. How frustrating!!!!!!!!! Wow, so I wanted to put on an update before people started to worry.....the update that there isn't a new update! So, thanks for the continued prayers! She and Dad are still hoping to get out of there tonight and make it here for 1st day of school tomorrow!
Till the next posting......Val
SO TODAY....they got to the Surgery center around 11:15 and they took Mom back, put in her IV, she was all prepped for surgery and it is now 4:00 as I am typing this and she is STILL in the prep area waiting to be wheeled back and they told her it will probably be 2 more hours. How frustrating!!!!!!!!! Wow, so I wanted to put on an update before people started to worry.....the update that there isn't a new update! So, thanks for the continued prayers! She and Dad are still hoping to get out of there tonight and make it here for 1st day of school tomorrow!
Till the next posting......Val
Saturday, August 18, 2007
I Feel Great!
The last couple of days have been great!
The catheter came out yesterday with no problems. I had a fun day and a great night.
It's nice going back to Cleveland feeling good. I'm feeling very positive.
Madison and I went to the store this morning to buy my craving for the week...carmel creams! She told me that angels live in the clouds. Then she wanted to know if that was true. I told her I really wasn't sure. We would just have to wait and see. She said, "No Grandma, I saw an angel head looking out from behind one of them...it's true!"
I believe her....
Have a blessed weekend!
love,
Leslie
The catheter came out yesterday with no problems. I had a fun day and a great night.
It's nice going back to Cleveland feeling good. I'm feeling very positive.
Madison and I went to the store this morning to buy my craving for the week...carmel creams! She told me that angels live in the clouds. Then she wanted to know if that was true. I told her I really wasn't sure. We would just have to wait and see. She said, "No Grandma, I saw an angel head looking out from behind one of them...it's true!"
I believe her....
Have a blessed weekend!
love,
Leslie
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Good week...
Wow...it's great to start with anything that includes the word "good!"
It's been so much fun at Matt & Val's. The only downside is that Mike is working nightshift and can't be here until the end of the week. He's coming over this afternoon after some sleep time.
Mornings are the best! Waking up with the grandchildren and having energy. By afternoon, I usually need a nap and my kidney area is starting to tighten and I feel a bit blotted and hard. I'm guessing it has something to do with the "leak" that is healing. My back hurts a bit after any lengthy walking or standing but it isn't anything I can't deal with. I think it is a side affect of my stint and I'm okay with that. By 7:30pm I'm ready for my pj's and usually pretty tired.
I'm heading to the doctor tomorrow morning to have the catheter removed. I'm a little nervous. It seems that anytime I have things removed I have issues. But I head to the Clinic on Monday so I figure I can see what happens over the weekend. It's funny to think about how I first reacted to having to come home with the catheter and now I'm hesitant to remove it!
Mike's phone calls from home have been so sad. He said it is really quiet and lonely there. I know!! That's exactly how I was feeling! Our house has always been full of the sounds of children! I can't remember when it was so quiet!
We head back to Cleveland on Monday. My first appointment is 1pm. I'll know my surgery time when I call the surgery center between 2 & 4. We are praying for a morning time! It is listed on my schedule as "in / out surgery!" I think it could end up being one of the following....removing the stint and looking for the scar tissue blockage...if it's a small area they will lazer then replace the stint. If the area is large, they will replace the stint and schedule a more extensive surgery to remove part of my ureter and reconnect the 2 good sections then replace the stint. They also mentioned something about a permanent stint. Bottom line....I hope I get to come home that day! We are guessing at all the scenarios. We will know more after the doctor appointment on Monday.
Grace just got up and there is a sister fight going on over who has more room on the couch! It's a wonderful sound!
Grace Moment....I was getting up from the couch yesterday and she ran over and said "Grandma, let me help you....you are really, really, really, really, really, really old!"
Madison meltdown....Val and I somehow got ourselves into an unplanned sorting of the basement playroom. It started out great...the girls were involved in other things. Then Madison realized we were sorting some things to put in a yard sale or trash. She went hysterical. You would have thought someone was dying. She wanted to "save" the stuffed animals. She almost had ME in tears. And this morning she got up and wanted to go find the box with the discarded animals because she had room for them in her bedroom toybox. She must have thought about it all night!
Andrew's soccer season is about to begin. He's been busy with practices. Austin stayed over Tuesday night. I had to smile as I heard them goofing off until the wee hours of the morning! I walked into the kitchen for a 3am glass of water and piece of Elaine's peach pie. They quickly turned off the basement light and were quiet as little mice until I left the kitchen, then the fun began again! Andrew had to get up at 9:45 for a hair cut but Austin slept until after 2pm! The will begin 8th grade next week!
Thank you to our Coshocton friends for making me feel so welcome! It's been fun couple of weeks!
I'm missing my family & friends in the 'burg but it sure has been great to be around these grandchildren every day! It's the closest thing to being "back to work!" (without all the restrictions)
I'm going out to load the dishwasher before Val gets home from work (she will have a fit that I did it) and Grace wants her hair flat ironed! God is Good!
Love,
Leslie
Angie King....we are all waiting to hear about the new baby! Send us some details when she arrives! Thank you for your inspiring blog comments!
George & Lynn....Mike is using his last 2 vacation days for next week's surgery. I'm not sure we will make it to the Ivy Cottage this year. You will never know what your offer meant to us! (and always will...the offer alone was such a gift) We are trying to focus on the positive...never dreaming we would still be dealing with surgeries this far out. Maybe Chris, Suzy and baby Porter will be ready for a week at the beach by then and we will definately be planning a weekend trip to meet Porter and visit with our Chad as soon as I get an "all clear!" Thank you for the prayers and please thank your congregation. You are a blessing to us and our family.
It's been so much fun at Matt & Val's. The only downside is that Mike is working nightshift and can't be here until the end of the week. He's coming over this afternoon after some sleep time.
Mornings are the best! Waking up with the grandchildren and having energy. By afternoon, I usually need a nap and my kidney area is starting to tighten and I feel a bit blotted and hard. I'm guessing it has something to do with the "leak" that is healing. My back hurts a bit after any lengthy walking or standing but it isn't anything I can't deal with. I think it is a side affect of my stint and I'm okay with that. By 7:30pm I'm ready for my pj's and usually pretty tired.
I'm heading to the doctor tomorrow morning to have the catheter removed. I'm a little nervous. It seems that anytime I have things removed I have issues. But I head to the Clinic on Monday so I figure I can see what happens over the weekend. It's funny to think about how I first reacted to having to come home with the catheter and now I'm hesitant to remove it!
Mike's phone calls from home have been so sad. He said it is really quiet and lonely there. I know!! That's exactly how I was feeling! Our house has always been full of the sounds of children! I can't remember when it was so quiet!
We head back to Cleveland on Monday. My first appointment is 1pm. I'll know my surgery time when I call the surgery center between 2 & 4. We are praying for a morning time! It is listed on my schedule as "in / out surgery!" I think it could end up being one of the following....removing the stint and looking for the scar tissue blockage...if it's a small area they will lazer then replace the stint. If the area is large, they will replace the stint and schedule a more extensive surgery to remove part of my ureter and reconnect the 2 good sections then replace the stint. They also mentioned something about a permanent stint. Bottom line....I hope I get to come home that day! We are guessing at all the scenarios. We will know more after the doctor appointment on Monday.
Grace just got up and there is a sister fight going on over who has more room on the couch! It's a wonderful sound!
Grace Moment....I was getting up from the couch yesterday and she ran over and said "Grandma, let me help you....you are really, really, really, really, really, really old!"
Madison meltdown....Val and I somehow got ourselves into an unplanned sorting of the basement playroom. It started out great...the girls were involved in other things. Then Madison realized we were sorting some things to put in a yard sale or trash. She went hysterical. You would have thought someone was dying. She wanted to "save" the stuffed animals. She almost had ME in tears. And this morning she got up and wanted to go find the box with the discarded animals because she had room for them in her bedroom toybox. She must have thought about it all night!
Andrew's soccer season is about to begin. He's been busy with practices. Austin stayed over Tuesday night. I had to smile as I heard them goofing off until the wee hours of the morning! I walked into the kitchen for a 3am glass of water and piece of Elaine's peach pie. They quickly turned off the basement light and were quiet as little mice until I left the kitchen, then the fun began again! Andrew had to get up at 9:45 for a hair cut but Austin slept until after 2pm! The will begin 8th grade next week!
Thank you to our Coshocton friends for making me feel so welcome! It's been fun couple of weeks!
I'm missing my family & friends in the 'burg but it sure has been great to be around these grandchildren every day! It's the closest thing to being "back to work!" (without all the restrictions)
I'm going out to load the dishwasher before Val gets home from work (she will have a fit that I did it) and Grace wants her hair flat ironed! God is Good!
Love,
Leslie
Angie King....we are all waiting to hear about the new baby! Send us some details when she arrives! Thank you for your inspiring blog comments!
George & Lynn....Mike is using his last 2 vacation days for next week's surgery. I'm not sure we will make it to the Ivy Cottage this year. You will never know what your offer meant to us! (and always will...the offer alone was such a gift) We are trying to focus on the positive...never dreaming we would still be dealing with surgeries this far out. Maybe Chris, Suzy and baby Porter will be ready for a week at the beach by then and we will definately be planning a weekend trip to meet Porter and visit with our Chad as soon as I get an "all clear!" Thank you for the prayers and please thank your congregation. You are a blessing to us and our family.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
30 years ago....
today....a baby girl was born, much to the delight of her parents and big brother.
It's Valerie's birthday and it's all about her!
Have a wonderful birthday sweet daughter.
We love you more than words can say....
Dad & Mom
It's Valerie's birthday and it's all about her!
Have a wonderful birthday sweet daughter.
We love you more than words can say....
Dad & Mom
Friday, August 10, 2007
waiting...
Val took me to Zanesville for some lab work yesterday. I will feel better once I have those results.
It was great to be out and about and we took Grace to the mall to spend some birthday money in Claire's. She bought a cell phone with lip gloss, body & hair glitter spray and a pack of hot nail colors. Then she bought a hot pink straw hat at Old Navy. It was so much fun.
Graceism...We were sitting at the dinner table eating my craving for the week...loaded hotdogs and baked beans. Grace informs me that she knows what a girl's private part is called. I told her that was a good thing....what is it? She said the girl's part is called a "peep" and the boy part is called a "beek."
Why do they have to grow up....I LOVE this age of innocence!
I'm having a bit of back pain after being up for a while but nothing I can't tolerate. Madison is very concerned that I am going to be sad when I have to take out the catheter. She is very comforting!
Looking forward to another good day.
love to all....
Leslie
It was great to be out and about and we took Grace to the mall to spend some birthday money in Claire's. She bought a cell phone with lip gloss, body & hair glitter spray and a pack of hot nail colors. Then she bought a hot pink straw hat at Old Navy. It was so much fun.
Graceism...We were sitting at the dinner table eating my craving for the week...loaded hotdogs and baked beans. Grace informs me that she knows what a girl's private part is called. I told her that was a good thing....what is it? She said the girl's part is called a "peep" and the boy part is called a "beek."
Why do they have to grow up....I LOVE this age of innocence!
I'm having a bit of back pain after being up for a while but nothing I can't tolerate. Madison is very concerned that I am going to be sad when I have to take out the catheter. She is very comforting!
Looking forward to another good day.
love to all....
Leslie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
