I have cancer....the road to recovery

**gini** · 09-18-2006, 11:52 PM

I did talk to Slick this evening, and I woke her up when I called - darn, darn, darn.

But maybe it was a good thing because she is scheduled to receive her pain meds at 10 PM and my hope is that for once she will be able to sleep through the night - or at least until the next dosage of pain med.

She is now in a semi-private room - but she was promised a private room.
Her roommate has a "condition" that doesn't make sharing the bathroom too appealing.

There is something that she wanted me to post and I absolutely refused - talk about TMI!!!

So she settled with - well tell them that "all systems are go" - well, we are all family aren't we? Guess you can all handle it!!

In all seriousness - she is better - but not better - the tube from her lungs is really hurting her and she found out today that she will have it for a few more days.

The food they are serving (or not serving) is awful. Her dinner was horrible so she isn't eating much. She wanted some ice water and I had to badger her to ASK FOR IT!! But they did bring some while we were on the phone.

At least she can turn her lights off for the night - and she doesn't have blaring lights to try to sleep under.

Taking it a day at a time - and praying each step of the way..........

She doesn't have the final test results back yet - so I know that is weighing on her mind. And mine too!

xxoo I am going to bed.................zzzzzzzzz

**Dorothy39** · 09-19-2006, 12:12 AM

Oh Gini,

You are such an angel for posting updates for us!!!

I sure do wish I could take homemade food up to her room, hospital food makes me gag!!!!! I am sorry that they haven't removed the tube from her lungs.

I can only imagine what she wanted you to post!!!!!

She did mention that " all systems are go"

~~~ so, of course she is still the postive Pet Talk Member that we know and love.

Slick, We needed that post from you!!!!

( "all systems are go") I get it!!

We are all thinking and praying for you , Slick

Remember that!!!!

I'm going to bed too, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

**Corinna** · 09-19-2006, 12:38 AM

Thanks for the update. So glad err all systems are working properly. glad she can get some lights out sleep. nighty nite Slick your in my thoughts all the time.

**dukedogsmom** · 09-19-2006, 01:45 AM

Glad to hear she's sort of better. Tell her to remember that she'll get better with each day. Hang in there! We'll all be glad when she can be telling us herself.

**ChrisH** · 09-19-2006, 02:42 AM

Thanks for the update Gini.

**Cinder & Smoke** · 09-19-2006, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by gini

(Monday night)

She is now in a semi-private room -
but she was promised a private room.
Her roommate has a "condition" ...

When did we "move" from the Dorm to semi-private?

Being able to turn OFF your lights to sleep in the semi-dark is nice ...
till your Roomie gets a Doc that starts rounds a 5:00AM!
During my January hospital stay, one Roomie's Doc had no clue which wall switch operated
what lights ... He'd stomp into "our" room and turn em ALL on ...
Then start talking to his sleeping patient in a voice LOUD enough to wake the dead
in the room next door!

When he was done with his 2 minute "exam" ...
he'd walk out and leave ALL the lights ON!

Hospitals can be Phunn!

Hey Slick ~ Feel Better - Soon!!

**Karen** · 09-19-2006, 09:45 AM

Thanks for the update, Gini - I think we're all half holding our collective breath for test results. Glad all systems are go.

I hope all the non-hospital food she had lined up people to bring is actually arriving. I didn't want to eat at all when I was in for my surgery - or the times for my asthma, and the foods presented were NOT compelling reasons TO eat!

Still in our prayers, and will be!

**Russian Blue** · 09-19-2006, 09:46 AM

Just checking in. Thanks everyone for all the updates and keeping us informed! I'm sure Slick will feel much better once that tube is removed. I can only imagine how uncomfortable that is along with the other medical issues.

When was hospital food actually good?

Ick, it's bad enough you're feeling unwell then they slap that fake food in front of you. Maybe it's incentive to make you leave the hospital faster to free up a bed.

(((Hugs))) to Slick and positive test results!

**Cinder & Smoke** · 09-19-2006, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Karen

I hope all the non-hospital food she had lined up people to bring is actually arriving.

... the foods presented were NOT compelling reasons TO eat!

Careful with the "outside food"!
I made the mistake of asking my Nurse if I could order a Pizza ...
she about had a stroke on the spot! (I gathered the answer was "NO!")

In my case I was suffering from Ciggy

Withdrawal as well as being HUNGRY.

Most anything tasted OK - as long as it was filling.
I also learned some "tricks" ...

* Check off EVERYTHING on the menue ... two entrees offered? Ask for BOTH.
They'll either put em both on the Big Plate, or serve #2 as a side.
* 3 veggies Checked on the menue = 3 lil dishes on the tray!
* I'd even get two deserts on occasion; plus milk AND coffee (low-test stuff)
* "Mrs. Dash" became a fix for lack of taste ... and she even came with Breakfast ??? -
so I always had an extra supply for a stubborn "mystery dish" that need a kick in flavour!

* and check about Midnite SNACKS!! Found out (cause I lived across the hall
from the "Supply Room")
that the Nurses had a Treasure Trove of GOOD STUFF deliverd after din-din ...
** Fresh Turkey sammiches on fresh bread with a fake mayo packet
** Real Ice Creme cups - multiple flavours
** Chawklit Pudding (in a generous sized cup)

* ask the midnite Nurse *nicely* and ya got All THREE!

EAT UP - Pepper + Mrs. Dash will "fix" most everything they toss at you!

**Randi** · 09-19-2006, 11:56 AM

Goodmorning Slick! Hope you're feeling better today!

A good nights sleep and a decent meal is a MUST when you're feeling lousy and in a hospital. I hope one of these days you'll feel like me, when I once woke up from anethesia - my first words were: I'm hungry, where's the lunch?

Sending lots of positive thoughts for good test results, general well being and a speedy recovery.

((((hugs))))

**gini** · 09-19-2006, 12:34 PM

I talked to Slick's Mom this morning - thinking that she might like to be cheered up as she would be worrying about Slick!

Was I ever wrong!! She promptly started telling me how well everything is going and how "I" shouldn't worry.

She isn't going to visit Slick today because she said that Slick REALLY needs to sleep and get some rest. She mentioned the food and the poor quality too. I think her sis-in-law might be taking her some better food.

The only thing she mentioned is that Slick's feet are swelling. But Slick told me that she took two long walks yesterday - hopefully that exercise will help.

Phred - she moved to a semi-private room yesterday sometime. I will tell her about the "nurses stash" when I talk to her next.

**lbaker** · 09-19-2006, 12:49 PM

jello jello jello. Fortunately I love it and even hospitals have a hard time messing jello up.

**RedHedd** · 09-19-2006, 12:52 PM

I'm glad Slick's at least in a semi-private room, although the situation sounds less than ideal. Glad all her plumbing is working

and sorry the food is so bad. Prayers and good thoughts still flowing her way. How's Dr. Pete?

**gini** · 09-19-2006, 01:03 PM

I think that Dr. Pete had to be taken back home because when Naomi delivered it, Slick was still in the intensive step down ward - that was crowded - and a beehive of activity. Slick was afraid he wouldn't be "safe" there. I could be wrong here - but I think that is what happened.

**Logan** · 09-19-2006, 02:24 PM

These updates are helping so much, Gini. Thank you for being so diligent about letting us know the latest (even if it is TMI at times

).

Send our love next time you talk with her and tell her I'm going to be anxious to hear that she has gotten into her own room and that the tube has come out. Then she really can begin to heal.

Logan