Greetings once again!
Gary here again, in Potsdam; Cait's back at her Mom's in Keene after a brief return to MSK (Memorial Sloan Kettering) for the last few days. Time has become a blur after all this, so I'm not sure I can give you exact days on any of this.
We got to Keene on Saturday as noted in the last post. I drove back to Potsdam the next day -- somebody has to make some money to keep this all going... Cait seemed okay, but was having some pain. Over the next few days, the pain got worse, she got a temperature, the pain got real bad, AND she got a temperature, they took her to the Keene ER and called MSK for guidance. Let's get her back down here, they said. So to her dismay, Cait got another ride in an ambulance -- not as fast and wild as the last time, no snowstorm, a lot longer, and almost as uncomfortable.
IV antibiotics, a drain installed to get some fluid out, pain killers IV. Finally they recognize that her intestinal system wasn't working, she was all blocked up, and that was probably the source of the pain (Nothing like feedback loops, eh? Pain causes pain-killer drug taking which causes more pain, around and around.) So after quite a bit of unpleasantness that doesn't need to be repeated here, she's off the heavy narcotics and on some things to make her intestines work properly. And hopefully, it's more steadily uphill from here.
Lesson illustrated: this was a major surgery. The way forward will not be easy or straight. She's now missing quite a few anatomical parts and what's left doesn't work quite the way it worked before. And she's having to get used to the new body operation.
She would be writing this herself, but she's still got quite a bit of pain, more fatigue than she wants to have, and the general unpleasantness of healing after major surgery. And she did want to keep everybody posted.
She wants to thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers, and she asks for your patience while she gets herself back to normal at whatever pace it takes.
Regards to all!
Thank you for another update, Gary. I'm sorry to hear Cait had another ambulance ride. I hope her body learns to accept it's new routes and re-routes and she feels better soon. And as far as patience goes, I'm sure I speak for everyone that we want Cait to focus on herself and her recovery right now. We'll all be praying and sending positive thoughts and energy to both of you until she feels well enough to come online herself. You both have been so generous with giving us updates. Valerie
ReplyDeleteOh wow! thanks so much for the update Gary! Sounds like Cait had what i had in November. I'm thinking she's having a diet of ice chips... is that correct? And Delotid?? Now, i like the delotid better than morphine - but if given a choice - i'd just stay out of the hospital. I'm glad she got back there - best place for her to be to get straightned out. Please tell her I'm praying for her and hope she can come home soon. We miss her. :D laura xxoo
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about her pain, but I'm hopeful it will get better from here on out. She continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much for the update. Big hugs to Cait!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update Gary. I will send my good thoughts and pray for Cait. I hope she will get better very soon, so sorry to know that she has to go through all the pain. Take care Cait!
ReplyDeleteGary, you are great update writer and supporter; but what a rough thing to go through and be writing about! Laura can relate to the intestinal blockage part and all that goes with that.. Please tell Cait we all send love, hugs, good wishes for things getting sorted out so those "remaining anatomical parts" can be functioning better soon. Tell her how much she is loved and missed.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts will be with her...I have been through a similar and surprising surgical ordeal a year ago. It will get better, the path is not exactly simple but with you there to help it will be easier...may she rest easy...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update Gary. I hope that Cait gets better very quickly now. Lots of good wishes.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the update, Gary. Sending prayers and healing thoughts to Cait along with big {{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}} Now you take good care of yourself too -- you're a brick!
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers, positive thoughts and good wishes are being sent your way (for both Cait and Gary). Thanks for keeping us in the loop!
ReplyDeleteHi Cait.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family. Sending lots of healthy, happy thoughts. I also wanted to tell you that the SLC Arts Council is exhibiting my North Country Hands at Work photographs (including your hands!). The show opens on the 30th form 4-6 and the exhibit runs until March 12th. I know you are out of state, but I wanted you to know since you were an integral part of it! Take care and best wishes!
Hannah
Much love and healing to you and your family, Cait.
ReplyDeleteOh poor Cait! What a mess for so long now... but it sounds like maybe this last round at the hospital will have got her back on track for once-and-for-all true healing and recovery. Thanks for the post, Gary, and for looking after her. I do miss her and can't wait to have her back online. Please give her a big 'ol (not too tight) hug for me!
ReplyDeleteIf you can convo me with a mailing address, I'd like to send her a little something...
http://kneedeeporiginals.etsy.com
Cindy YountJanuary 29, 2010 at 5:53 AM
Cait -
ReplyDeleteIt's been awhile since we've talked but I wanted you to know that I stumbled upon your blog again and was sorry to hear that you've been in and out of the hospital. It sounds like you have a wonderfully supportive family and I am glad for that, and wishing you well. Hope you're back at your loom soon....:)
Cindy, your calligraphy friend in MD
Gary your updates mean so much. Cait isn't far from my thoughts these days and I am so sorry she(and you)have had even more complications to handle. Please tell Cait she's in my thoughts and prayers...Rest and heal and go easy.. good wishes and hugs to you and your family..Marilyn
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I just stopped by your blog today to see if you were feeling well again. Soo sorry to hear that this is not the case. Will hope for the best and that you are up and about and feeling good as new very soon.
ReplyDeleteDi
The Blue Ridge Gal
Gary thanks for the updates. I am so sorry for all the complications. Hopefully by now, things will be looking up. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeletehugs...Cat
I've been thinking about Cait a lot lately. I know it seems so strange considering we've never met, however I really appreciate your updated on her Gary. I know I'm not alone when I say we miss her though. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care, ~Xanna
ReplyDeletehi gary-- i'm very late in finding out about cait and all that she's been going through. i've had the pleasure of adding her amazing work and some of your son's photos in the treasuries on etsy-- and thereby getting to know cait just a bit. what an ordeal she's had -- and so hard for all of you i'm sure.
ReplyDeletei'm glad to learn that at least the mystery of what was wrong has been solved-- and while i understand that this surgery and hospitalization has probably taken its toll right now-- it's very good to learn that cait is now on the road to recovery.
i hope that all of you can now rest a bit and feel more at ease with the worst behind you. i'm sure it will be great to have cait home-- and no doubt cait can't wait to get there.
please give her an extra hug from me and lots of love is being sent over the airwaves.i have all of you in my thoughts.
kathi
HI Gary and Cait: I check for blog updates just about every day and hope when I look here that we will hear that you, Cait are continuing to rest at your mom's or at home in Potsdam.. without further setbacks. That may or may not be the case..but just know that so many are cheering for you and sending love and hugs ongoing..to you both and to the family!xoxo
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray for you both, and for your full recovery, Cait
ReplyDelete{{{hugs}}}
I add my voice to the well wishers, and hope that was the last of the obstacles to healing. Crossing my fingers that Cait will be back in action very soon.....xox, Andria
ReplyDeletesending my best wishes to cait! i am so sorry to hear how much she is suffering! please be well, cait!
ReplyDeletexoxo kendra
Hi Gary and Cait: Just to let you know that so many are continuing to think of you and hold you in our hearts....and hope there will be some news here..at some point (no pressure, eh!!) meanwhile, know you are cared about and thought of in etsyland!
ReplyDeleteCait bought two violin bridge ornaments from me, and then we bought my sister one of her cuffs, and then because I'd admired it so much my mother bought me a cuff for Christmas. Please tell Cait that I love it, wear it all the time, and that I also couldn't bear to throw away the lovely yarn she tied the package with so I wear it in my hair.
ReplyDeleteBest, best wishes,
Ellen