Robin is finally home today and doing much better -- yeah!!!
More news later.
Geoff
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Update from Geoff
Hello all,
This was going to be the good news post, but there has been what we hope is just a minor wrinkle in the plan.
In the last few days, everything had been improving steadily:
- Robin was walking further every day;
- her pain levels were not increasing, and the medications were working effectively;
- her new hip was healing well.
So, everything was set for her to return today. Home care and equipment was all arranged, and transportation to home was scheduled for early this afternoon.
This morning Robin called me on the phone as I was driving to the hopital, to say there was a change, and "I've got my own 'Dr. House' situation" - which defintiely piqued my curiosity.
Last night, Robin woke up around 4AM with a lot of pain in her swollen leg, and it appears she likely has developed an infection. They have begun tests, and are treating with antibiotics, and upped the pain Meds. They are also double checking to make sure it's not a clot - not likely but they are being thorough.
We are all agreed she should stay on until the infection begins to responds to the antibiotics and begins to subside - but her situation is stable enough that the Doctors said she could return home now if she was really keen.
So our road is still full of twists and turns. Much as we usually choose the backroads and challenging scenic drives, we could use a stretch on cruise control down a straight, 4 lane prarie highway!
Till later,
Geoff
This was going to be the good news post, but there has been what we hope is just a minor wrinkle in the plan.
In the last few days, everything had been improving steadily:
- Robin was walking further every day;
- her pain levels were not increasing, and the medications were working effectively;
- her new hip was healing well.
So, everything was set for her to return today. Home care and equipment was all arranged, and transportation to home was scheduled for early this afternoon.
This morning Robin called me on the phone as I was driving to the hopital, to say there was a change, and "I've got my own 'Dr. House' situation" - which defintiely piqued my curiosity.
Last night, Robin woke up around 4AM with a lot of pain in her swollen leg, and it appears she likely has developed an infection. They have begun tests, and are treating with antibiotics, and upped the pain Meds. They are also double checking to make sure it's not a clot - not likely but they are being thorough.
We are all agreed she should stay on until the infection begins to responds to the antibiotics and begins to subside - but her situation is stable enough that the Doctors said she could return home now if she was really keen.
So our road is still full of twists and turns. Much as we usually choose the backroads and challenging scenic drives, we could use a stretch on cruise control down a straight, 4 lane prarie highway!
Till later,
Geoff
Friday, October 14, 2011
Update from Geoff
The last couple of days have been busy and difficult.
All the visits from professionals were still a bit stressful for Robin, as they were interrupting her rest. While they were all trying to be helpful, it has been easier now that hospital staff have worked with us to reduce and streamline these visits.
Robin's care is complicated because she's on an orthopedic wing, where she is geeting excellent care for her hip, but her primary needs are more related to pain management. The hospital's excellent palliative care team has been brought in, and they are coordinating closely with our doctor from the community care system, which is great.
Robin is making progress getting around, but each day is different. She will be staying in hospital for at least a few more days, and possibly moving on to a rehabilitation unit, with the goal being to return home when she has greater strength and mobility.
So things are OK, but with a bit of tweaking on managing pain, more rehab, working together with all the professionals, and planning for the help and resources we will need on Robin's return, they will be even better. Robin really values the supportive emails and comments on the blog; and we all appreciate the great support we've been getting from friends and family. Thank you!
Geoff
All the visits from professionals were still a bit stressful for Robin, as they were interrupting her rest. While they were all trying to be helpful, it has been easier now that hospital staff have worked with us to reduce and streamline these visits.
Robin's care is complicated because she's on an orthopedic wing, where she is geeting excellent care for her hip, but her primary needs are more related to pain management. The hospital's excellent palliative care team has been brought in, and they are coordinating closely with our doctor from the community care system, which is great.
Robin is making progress getting around, but each day is different. She will be staying in hospital for at least a few more days, and possibly moving on to a rehabilitation unit, with the goal being to return home when she has greater strength and mobility.
So things are OK, but with a bit of tweaking on managing pain, more rehab, working together with all the professionals, and planning for the help and resources we will need on Robin's return, they will be even better. Robin really values the supportive emails and comments on the blog; and we all appreciate the great support we've been getting from friends and family. Thank you!
Geoff
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Update from Geoff -- It's Back to Work!
While yesterday was a quiet day for Robin, today the hospital hummed with busy professionals back from the holiday weekend.
Today Robin met:
-a keen red-haired intern who startled her awake at 7:30, briefly announced she would be ready to go home "soon," and then left. It was all a bit abrupt. (While Robin's doing well with this new hip business, no one else who we saw today talked about departing soon ...);
- Her physiotherapists arrived and persuaded her to walk the 50 feet to the nursing station and back - excellent progress and quite tolerable pain levels;
- an occupational therapist who reviewed our home equipment, resources and routines. She realized we were fairly well set up, but made some helpful suggestions;
- a social worker who chatted to Robin for half an hour to make sure we were OK;
- all the regular visits from nurse with Meds, taking vitals, and other care;
- and a visit from our favorite oncologist, Dr. Hopkins.
Dr. Hopkins is one of the saints in our lives. I'm sure in some other parts of her life, she has her share of human foibles, but to us she is firmly set on a pedestal. She has been by our side since the beginning of Robin's cancer odyssey, performed two surgeries, and has helped us explore every avenue of medical treatment Robin tried or considered. We cherish her. It was a really good visit, even if we were discussing the latest scan results, which, while expected, were almost uniformly discouraging on the cancer front.
We've also been quietly upgrading - Robin got a private room yesterday, as well as replacing her old bed with a fancy high-end bed that is better at "Trendelburging" - not really a verb, but keeners can look up the noun.
So all in all a very busy, but tiring day.
Love, Geoff and Robin
Today Robin met:
-a keen red-haired intern who startled her awake at 7:30, briefly announced she would be ready to go home "soon," and then left. It was all a bit abrupt. (While Robin's doing well with this new hip business, no one else who we saw today talked about departing soon ...);
- Her physiotherapists arrived and persuaded her to walk the 50 feet to the nursing station and back - excellent progress and quite tolerable pain levels;
- an occupational therapist who reviewed our home equipment, resources and routines. She realized we were fairly well set up, but made some helpful suggestions;
- a social worker who chatted to Robin for half an hour to make sure we were OK;
- all the regular visits from nurse with Meds, taking vitals, and other care;
- and a visit from our favorite oncologist, Dr. Hopkins.
Dr. Hopkins is one of the saints in our lives. I'm sure in some other parts of her life, she has her share of human foibles, but to us she is firmly set on a pedestal. She has been by our side since the beginning of Robin's cancer odyssey, performed two surgeries, and has helped us explore every avenue of medical treatment Robin tried or considered. We cherish her. It was a really good visit, even if we were discussing the latest scan results, which, while expected, were almost uniformly discouraging on the cancer front.
We've also been quietly upgrading - Robin got a private room yesterday, as well as replacing her old bed with a fancy high-end bed that is better at "Trendelburging" - not really a verb, but keeners can look up the noun.
So all in all a very busy, but tiring day.
Love, Geoff and Robin
Update from Geoff -- The Great Escape
Photo evidence of Robin's almost successful escape from the Big House. Foiled because the Ottawa Bus system is not as accessible as we'd hoped.
So Robin was hoping to restart her blogging, but has found she doesn't have the energy for composing entries up to her usual standard. Not willing to compromise quality, but wanting to keep friends and family informed, she has graciously allowed me to continue to post updates for her.
Sunday, the day after surgery, Robin was up walking a few steps - and then agreed to Franck's suggestion that we take a tour outside the hospital (see photo). She enjoyed a great home-cooked meal of turkey (Karen Markham) and mashed potatoes (Yige and Eshete), - SO much better than hospital food!
All in all it was a good day starting to get back on her feet, but a bit exhausting.
Love to all, Robin and Geoff
P.S. Another blog will follow this afternoon/evening, with more current news.
So Robin was hoping to restart her blogging, but has found she doesn't have the energy for composing entries up to her usual standard. Not willing to compromise quality, but wanting to keep friends and family informed, she has graciously allowed me to continue to post updates for her.
Sunday, the day after surgery, Robin was up walking a few steps - and then agreed to Franck's suggestion that we take a tour outside the hospital (see photo). She enjoyed a great home-cooked meal of turkey (Karen Markham) and mashed potatoes (Yige and Eshete), - SO much better than hospital food!
All in all it was a good day starting to get back on her feet, but a bit exhausting.
Love to all, Robin and Geoff
P.S. Another blog will follow this afternoon/evening, with more current news.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Updates from Geoff - 4
Well Robin is back in her room after surgery. She seems far too cheerful, obviously not shy about pushing her pain pump!
Ada has put socks halfway on her feet, (originally because they were cold) but Robin has launched into an impromptu foot sock puppet show. Grumpy Geoff reminded folk about not twisitng the foot after hip surgery, no matter how good one feels.
My days as stand-in blogger may be limited. Robin is expressing doubts about my judgement, and reasserting her rights to editorial control.
So long for now, Robin, (or I, if she let's me) will update soon.
Cheers,
Geoff
Ada has put socks halfway on her feet, (originally because they were cold) but Robin has launched into an impromptu foot sock puppet show. Grumpy Geoff reminded folk about not twisitng the foot after hip surgery, no matter how good one feels.
My days as stand-in blogger may be limited. Robin is expressing doubts about my judgement, and reasserting her rights to editorial control.
So long for now, Robin, (or I, if she let's me) will update soon.
Cheers,
Geoff
Updates from Geoff - 3 -- Good News so far
I spoke to the surgeon, and he said everything went well. I hope to see Robin in recovery in about an hour.
Updates from Geoff -- 2
Hello all,
Robin just went into surgery at 11:40 AM. She was nervous but her usual brave self.
I should have news 3-5 hours after the start of surgery.
I will post an update then.
Let's all pray things go well.
Geoff
Robin just went into surgery at 11:40 AM. She was nervous but her usual brave self.
I should have news 3-5 hours after the start of surgery.
I will post an update then.
Let's all pray things go well.
Geoff
Friday, October 7, 2011
Updates from Geoff
Quick update. Robin is in good spirits all things considered.
The pain meds are working quite well, although at this dosage they leave her fairly groggy.
Surgery is now forecast for Saturday. If all goes really well, she may be out of the hospital 5 days later.
Even in the hospital, She remains tethered to her trusty iPhone. She is enjoying reading emails, even if her replies are shorter and less reliable than usual.
I will write an update again tomorrow, likely after the surgery.
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and your offers of help.
Love, Geoff
PS she still looks Marvellous!
The pain meds are working quite well, although at this dosage they leave her fairly groggy.
Surgery is now forecast for Saturday. If all goes really well, she may be out of the hospital 5 days later.
Even in the hospital, She remains tethered to her trusty iPhone. She is enjoying reading emails, even if her replies are shorter and less reliable than usual.
I will write an update again tomorrow, likely after the surgery.
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and your offers of help.
Love, Geoff
PS she still looks Marvellous!
Foiled Again
Well things did not end up as we hoped.
The expedition started well. The yurt was fantastic: beautiful fall leaves, us cozy as bugs--- shaping up to be a very sweet little holiday. However it was shorter than planned because on the morning of day 2, I fell while walking down the road and broke my right hip -- cracked the top of the femur, just below the ball of the hip joint. So it was a big emergency and now I am getting hip replacement surgery sometime in the next 24 hours.
So I will be having quite a time.
We will keep you posted as best as I can. Geoff and the family are busy being supportive, keeping the house running and making visits to the hospital, and I am conserving my energy for surgery: so we may not be available as much as we'd like for phone calls or visits.
Emails and comments on the blog will be appreciated, even if I can't get back to all of you.
Thanks for all the support you've given me.
Lots of love,
Robin
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Latest: September 2011
Sorry folks, I have been such a slacker! Moving from a glorious summer into fall, seeing friends and family, and of course, the ever-present and blessedly vigilant team of medical helpers- it has been downright hectic!
But underneath the many tender moments, the laughter, the sharing, this disease is finally staking its claim, discouraging symptoms are showing up and piling up. It's time for me to re-direct my energy away from ducking and dodging and into - what? Coping. Holding hands. Helping each other. Saying thank-you. We shall see, I guess.
Everyone continues to be so brave. I am stupendously well cared-for, you know who you are. Without all of the support we have had, I would not have made it this far, I truly believe.
So of course, we are off to sit in the woods (in a yurt!) in Gatineau Park Oct 5-7, then we are checking in with my oncologist, then I have a few more blogs planned, talk soon.
Love, Robin
But underneath the many tender moments, the laughter, the sharing, this disease is finally staking its claim, discouraging symptoms are showing up and piling up. It's time for me to re-direct my energy away from ducking and dodging and into - what? Coping. Holding hands. Helping each other. Saying thank-you. We shall see, I guess.
Everyone continues to be so brave. I am stupendously well cared-for, you know who you are. Without all of the support we have had, I would not have made it this far, I truly believe.
So of course, we are off to sit in the woods (in a yurt!) in Gatineau Park Oct 5-7, then we are checking in with my oncologist, then I have a few more blogs planned, talk soon.
Love, Robin