Might I recommend some morphine?
The doctors had been telling her that the years of taking steroids to help fight the rheumatoid arthritis had been weakening her bones. That she was losing mass in her vertebrae. That screws and a clamshell plate had to be installed. That they may have to permanently attach a bone growth stimulator, a sure-fire hit at airport metal detectors everywhere.
So, after consulting with several doctors, The Madre went under the knife Monday morning.
Things were supposed to get started at 7:30am; but as I later learned, the beginning of surgery was delayed. That didn’t help me much on Monday, however. The fact that I had spent some time with her the night before barely seemed to matter. I was tense and nervous all day - and Teh One knew this. Between phonecalls to and from her, and phonecalls to and from MCG, we had not a lick of information about her status until about 12:30, when Teh One, in a fit of brilliance (of which she is occasionally prone to), decided to call the hospital and find out her status: still in surgery.
I finally got a call around 2:30pm; my cousin calling to say she was out of surgery. But no more information than that. Then, the Garnet & Gold Baron called up 30 minutes later. The doctor had told him the surgery went well, and she would be in post-op for the next couple hours before being moved to her room.
Relief washed over me, but concerns lingered - and didn’t go away when, just minutes from the hospital later that day, G&GB called back to say he had seen her, and she was in pain and extremely tired, and perhaps we should delay our visit until the next day. I was reluctant to do so, but knowing she would be willing to fight through excruciating pain to stay up long enough to say hello to us, I realized that would be best. MCG, who had already arrived in the mazelike bowels of the hospital; wandering the corridors like some poor sacrifice to the Minotaur, got a phonecall from me thereafter. He too went home, never having found either of them.
I finally saw her yesterday, after work. MCG had already been by earlier in the day, bringing with him that gift that keeps on giving: circus peanuts (a Madre favorite). She got the flowers we sent her. She was in good spirits, despite the obvious pain she was in. We talked some, but we spent most of the time just being there. She slept a bit. Later, her doctor came by and discussed how things were going with her. He also spoke with us - in addition to the clamshell and the screws, they also replaced two of her discs, which were gone. We decided to leave shortly after that, telling her we knew we’d be going just as the party was starting. She smiled, as she had several times since we arrived. We both kissed her goodbye, and I told her I love her.
She’ll be in the hospital for at least a few more days before spending some quality time at Shotty Lotty’s, where she will be carted from place to place on the backs of their herd of pugs until she recovers. This may take her a while. But it was clear to me, even yesterday, that she plans or getting herself as well as she can.
She’s a fighter. But that was never really clear to me until yesterday.
thegax wrote:
Your mom’s the best man. Wish her well from us.
Posted on 20-Jul-05 at 8:05 am | Permalink
Heather wrote:
Wishing your mom a speedy recovery.
Stephens Family
Posted on 20-Jul-05 at 11:13 am | Permalink
Roger wrote:
All the best to the Madre. She’s in our thoughts, from me, Dawn & Clay.
Posted on 20-Jul-05 at 1:23 pm | Permalink
tommy wrote:
well wishes from here also.
Posted on 20-Jul-05 at 1:42 pm | Permalink
Erky wrote:
Get well soon, Madre!
Posted on 21-Jul-05 at 11:51 am | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
Yeah, just put that morphine on a drip.. =(
Posted on 21-Jul-05 at 12:58 pm | Permalink
brett wrote:
A quick heads up - she had a second surgery this morning, and appears to be a LOT more comfortable than she was over the last couple of days. Apparently, one of the screws slipped out of place. :0
Posted on 21-Jul-05 at 2:07 pm | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
Someone get her lawyer on the phone! =P
Posted on 22-Jul-05 at 11:46 am | Permalink
Andy wrote:
Hey best wishes to the Madre!!
Posted on 24-Jul-05 at 10:56 pm | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
I’m told the Madre should be fine. They’ve harnessed the pugs to her bed, put the red nose on Daisy, and she’s ready to go!
Posted on 25-Jul-05 at 8:18 am | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
Oops, double digit comments. Time to update, slacker!
Posted on 26-Jul-05 at 1:29 pm | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
OMG, has anyone seen this show yet? The second season starts tonight, on sci-fi channel. Here’s a blurb to give you some idea why I’m going to start DVR’ing it for AO: …continuing comic saga of five misfits who live, work and play on the starship Jupiter 42, which is controlled by a neurotic A.I. known as Spaceship Bob. If you know AO, at this point you have heard all you need hear! But check it out. If the show is written half as well as the website, I will need tissues to mop the tears of joy.
Posted on 27-Jul-05 at 7:11 am | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
PS: I managed to read further and discovered this:
Produced by CinéGroupe (Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension, Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat), in association with Film Roman (The Simpsons, King of the Hill), Tripping the Rift is an edgy, half-hour CGI-animated series based on the award-winning short film of the same name. This new weekly comedy is an irreverent and lusty send-up of space adventure, shredding pop culture and science-fiction clichés as only SCI FI can.
Posted on 27-Jul-05 at 7:17 am | Permalink
thegax wrote:
http://www.ausgamers.com/files/details/html/738
A link to the original video. Warning, contains large, naked, CGI bewbies and filthy language.
I had a season pass for this show last year. I thought they had cancelled it.
Posted on 27-Jul-05 at 8:50 am | Permalink
The Madre wrote:
Hey, Teh One—re:comment 11 on, this was supposed to be about ME!!
Today is the 1st day I’ve checked for updates since my surgery. Thanks to each of you for your kind wishes. I am actually doing quite well, certainly better than I expected to be doing by now. And to Amy–many thanks for your hospital visits, the flowers, your sweet and beautiful card and for being there for Brett. Brett, your words were lovely and touched my heart. You will always be my favorite oldest son.
Posted on 10-Aug-05 at 9:43 pm | Permalink