Update on my daughter's surgery.

We got to Chicago at 11:00 a.m., just as Laura was checking into the outpatient area of the hospital. A friend brought her. I don't know why they do this as outpatient surgery. Her clavicle was very badly fractured, and you could see it poking at the skin. It was not a compound fracture, so she waited a week for this surgery. Ouch. She works for a workmen's comp law firm, so they gave her advice on which hospital and which orthopedic surgeon to get. She had the best. Her hospital was Swedish Covenant, in Chicago. It is only a couple of miles from her apartment.

The surgery was supposed to be at 12:30, but they got behind. It was not until 1:40. We sat with her until they took her in.

The surgeon came to talk to us about 3:00 p.m. She had a plate and two screws inserted. They are permanent. She was not actually out of surgery until around 5:00 p.m. They kept her in recovery until after 7:00 p.m., because her blood pressure would not go down. She is only twenty-six.

This was nasty. She was in so much pain, and she had not eaten since before midnight the night before. She is fit and muscular from her aikido training, but I could tell that she has lost weight from this ordeal.

We went to the Walgreen's right near her apartment to fill her prescriptions. On the way out, I stepped in a hole in the parking lot. This hole was about ankle-deep and bigger than a man's foot. I had to be helped up. My ankle hurts, but it is not swollen or broken. That's Chicago for ya! And what a frustrating day.

We went to her apartment. Her sister was with us, too. She got the afternoon off, and is staying there tonight. I think it is better for her not to be alone tonight. My husband and I agreed on the way home that she should have been kept overnight. This was tricky surgery, and she did not bounce back as well as we expected. But at least she is not alone tonight. And Wilson the cat did not hide in the bathtub this time. He came out and listened to my daughters and me. He may have been confused, because we all sound so much alike.

Her law firm, good Democrats, provides great benefits. She is on limited disability, and they will give her the leeway she needs if things do not progress in a straightforward way.

I don't like this. I suppose she will be all right, but this did not go as smoothly as I liked, and it is hard to see my kid in pain.

Please keep her in your prayers, send good thoughts and vibes. Thanks, everyone!

Good idea for your daughter to have her sister with her. Hopefully the pain pills will allow her to get some sleep.

Sending more healing vibes for you and your daughter...take care.

:hug:

one time a relative had a really bad cut on his finger and had OP/office surgery. He was so dopey afterwards family had to drive him back to his apt and stay with him for a while.

She went out today and got some groceries. She got some things that are easy to open with one hand.

Also, Wilson the cat decided to throw up all night. Wilson is okay now. He may have done this on purpose. He may have thought he was not getting enough attention, or too much attention when so many people were there. We all have cats in my family, and we know how pissy they can be. Her sister did not appreciate cleaning up, but it was easier for her than for Laura, who will only have the use of one arm for awhile. Her sister has a cat. She knows.

My daughter is in pain, but there is no temperature, and things seem normal today.

I work out at the gym connected to the hospital, and have heard good things about the care there. I'm sorry they didn't keep her overnight, it seems like they should have. Although from experience with family members, it seems like patients get NO rest in the hospital because they get woken up several times a night for various reasons.

Anyway, sending healing vibes your daughter's way. I hope she makes a speedier recovery than it seems like right now.

Also my aunt graduated from their nursing program back in the late 50's, never nursed but graduated.

Good thoughts to the OP's daughter. Just recovering, 2 months out, from major lower back surgery soknow the fun and enjoyment of recovery.

My nephew did Akido training for awhile but never learned to sit or beg. Odd they give training to be a dog to humans.;)

You do get no rest. They are in there every couple of hours, night and day. I got good care. But I had to ask them to send in fewer people. I did not need breathing therapy. I had a stuffed nose from their oxygen tube. It was clearing up on its own. And the volunteers were nice, but not necessary. I had plenty of family and friends calling and visiting. When I asked them to send in fewer people, they did. Sleep and rest is more healing.

Sorry to hear it was not as smooth as you'd hope.

:hug:

:hi:

I'm glad her sister is with her, and that she has good benefits. I hope she recovers fully and quickly from her surgery.

:)

:hug:

And don't worry mom. Sounds like she'll be doing just fine before long. :hug: