Wednesday morning update: more active

Suzi has been having a hard time with her feedings.  They have been working on adjusting and regulating the formula and the frequency.  According to Kay Marie, "we think we have it figured out.  I think she is turning the corner, she is more active today.

Good job, Mom!  Please keep her in your prayers!

Thanks.

Heavenly Father is taking care of everything

"Suzi is sleeping for the first time today.  They removed the boot and redressed her leg, and they also uncovered the skin graft.  Ouch! is all I can say about it.  She had physical therapy.  She has so many things on her body that needs to heal.  Keep her mental and emotional health in your prayers.  She is using everything she has to recover.  She said today, 'Heavenly Father is taking care of everything.'  Her trust in Him is amazing."

Tuesday morning update

Dad came home last night.  He was exhausted and I wished I could go to work for him so that he could stay with mom.

She has been struggling a little with some nausea caused by her feeding tube feedings.  They are trying to regulate it for her, but seem to be having a little trouble finding a good balance for her.  She has been able to get out of bed and move to her chair and she has walked (with a walker) a little bit.  She is in good spirits, as usual, and they have given her some good pain medication which, according to Dad, has made for some pretty funny moments.  

Her sister, Kay Marie, is there with her now and she sent me this update this morning:

"Suzi is doing better.  They slowed down the tube feedings and tried a different med for nausea.  The big challenge today is to get adequate nutrition in her.  She will be putting full weight on her leg for the first time.  Also, they will be uncovering where the skin graft was taken; the doc said it will hurt.  These are her challenges you can pray about.

She said she dreamed in Australian last night.  :)  Sounds fun!  Our love to all, Suzi and KM."

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support.  I have received some emails and comments, which I will be sure to pass on to Mom.  She feels your love and prayers.

Monday morning's update

From Dad:  "Mom had a long night with a bad headache and nausea but she's doing well now.  They removed her trach and are talking about giving her a walking boot."

Sleeping like a baby

Here is an update that my aunt posted on Facebook last night:

"Just received this last update on Suzi...She had a good night and today she had a nice sponge bath and got her hair washed; that alone perked her up.  The trach was downsized and the last drain will be removed.  They are starting PT today.  She was moved into intermediate care.  The trach was capped so she can talk, not loud but very quietly which was music to the ears.  Was able to walk to the bathroom with the aid of a walker, but isn't allowed to put full weight on the leg they took the bone from.  She was exhausted but is in good spirits and sends her love and thanks to everyone.  Now I can go to bed and get a good night's rest without worrying.  I know that she is being well cared for and is gently wrapped in Heavenly Father's arms."

My dad sent a similar text last night, but not so many words.  His concluded with these simple words: "Sleeping like a baby."

A busy morning

This text made me really happy.

"Mom's had a busy morning.  They got her to stand with a walker, gave her a bath, downsized her trach, and moved her out of ICU (yay!).  She is doing well, but still really tired."

I have been very moved, once again, by the outpouring of love for Mom that I have been privileged to witness today.  So many people stopped me at church to ask how she is doing, and how I am doing, but mostly to tell me how much they love her.  

"She is one of the strongest people I know."

"I love your mother so much."

"She is a super human."

"She is at the top of my list of great people."

"Tell your mom we are praying for her and that we love her.  She means so much to us."

I agree with them all.  She is one of the most beautiful people I know and I am so lucky to be her daughter.  

I know Dad has been reading her some of these blogs, so...

Mom:  We love you.  So many people love you.  We are inspired by you, by your courage and bravery as you fight to keep moving forward.  You can do really hard things.  We are grateful to have you in our lives.  You are a light in this tough world.  

Sunday morning update

From Dad: "Good morning.  Mom had a good night.  Today's schedule includes moving out of ICU and PT to get her up and walking."

Have a beautiful Sunday everyone!

A quiet day

A text from Dad at 7:00 p.m.:

"A pretty quiet day. Mom's still doing well.  Dr...said she is the rock star of the ICU!"

Good morning

For those of you who are not on Facebook, here is an update that was posted by my aunt late last night:

"Suzi is totally amazing, the drs wanted her to take it easy and rest today.  Not even a full post surgery day and she is sitting up in a chair.  It wore her out getting into the chair, but it didn't discourage or stop her.  They are concerned about the bone graft because of the radiation treatments from the first round, so please pray that it will heal with no complications.  We have been blessed to see small miracles and prayers answered.  Thank you all for your kindness, love, support and encouragement through this ordeal...they are greatly appreciated."

And, I received this message from Dad this morning:

"Morning update.  Nothing much to report.  Mom had a good night, except "they keep waking me up."  Still considerable pain in her leg.  She's sitting up watching TV."

She is out.

I just received this text from Dad: "We're waiting for Mom to be moved to special care and we can see her.  Can't wait!"

I don't know what else to say.  I am relieved she made it through.  She still has a long road ahead.  

Your prayers have been felt and that is a beautiful feeling.  Thank you for your love and compassion.

7:30 p.m. Update

They are closing up now.  Here is the text from Dad: "Just closing up.  Everything went well.  Dr. Said about an hour. He wants to talk with us.  Your Mom is amazing!"

Yes, she is!

I have been asked if it was just one surgeon working on her the whole time.  So, for those wondering, it was two separate surgeons, one for the maxillectomy (the removal of her jaw bone) and one for the bone graft.  Still, those are two major surgeries and I am grateful for the hard work of the surgeons and their teams.  

5:50 p.m.

They are still working on the veins in her neck and the bone graft.  She is doing well.  It will probably be 2 more more hours.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support.  There is no way to express how much it helps.

Love, Sarah

3:25

They have finished the maxillectomy, things went well.  Now working on bone graft.

Update at 1:10 p.m.

Working on neck to accept bone graft.  Results not back for clean margins.

Surgery updates

She went into surgery at about 7:30 a.m.  She was in good spirits.

At 11:38 a.m. I received this update from Dad:  "Mom's doing well.  They're sending samples to make sure they have clean margins.  Ten hours to go.  Keep us in your prayers."

Thank you all for your support and love.  I will be updating this blog and Facebook as I get more information.