Brooke did really well last night, only waking for morphine. She started asking to get out of bed around 4:30, so she stood up for a while and played her DS. Around 6:30 we turned on the tv for her to watch cartoons, and she fell back asleep. Rob was at the hospital when she woke up, and we all walked down to the cafeteria to find something for breakfast. I picked out some toast with peanut butter, thinking she might eat some, but no luck. She was really tired after all that walking, so we put her in a wheelchair and headed back to the room. Her lower back was still really sore from where they attached her bladder to the psoas muscle, so it seems that she is tiring out more quickly this time. 
Dr. Smith came by and checked Brooke's incisions-they still look really good, and have hardly any drainage. She said we could take the catheter out, and wanted us to get Brooke off the morphine-she can't go home on iv meds! We had one of our favorite nurses, and she was really good at working with Brooke to get her to eat a little graham cracker and applesauce so the medicine wouldn't make her sick. She has been switched to lortab, and it seems to keep the pain away longer than the morphine, which is great!
Dr. Smith had the nurses move us to a bigger room, and I was so glad to see sunshine coming in through the windows! Brooke went straight over to the couch and sat there for a good long time. She finally decided to get back into bed, and Rob sent me to the hotel to take a nap and then have a hot shower. I'm so glad he did that-it's amazing what sleep and a hot shower can do for you! While I was gone, the nurse took out Brooke's catheter, took off her incision dressings and let Rob give Brooke a shower. I was impressed-he even washed her hair! 
I brought Cracker Barrel back with me, hoping she would finally give in and eat something. She wasn't interested at first, so we took a long walk through the hospital. When we came back to the room she wanted to color, so we set her up at the table with coloring supplies, french toast and applesauce. I told her she had to eat/drink every 5 minutes, and she thought that was a great game.
She was really trying to convince us that she is well enough to go home, and even managed to laugh a little without hurting! When she started making silly faces I knew she was feeling better. 
Here's to a good night of rest!
2 comments:
You dont know me, but I found your blog while researching about the psoas hitch surgery. I had reimplantation of the ureters when I was a child (I am now 46). They dont do that surgery anymore because of complications later in life- which is why now I am to have the psoas hitch. I appreciate your information regarding the surgery and your daughter's status. Brooke is a very brave and strong young girl (as are her parents). Wishing you much health and happiness for 2011.
P.S. I am also a pediatric RN.
Your daughter is amazing! Brought tears to my eyes seeing her smiling and making faces. Bless your family and all you have gone through and wishing you continued improvement and good health.
I recently had a ureter reimplant with a psoas hitch. I am 49 years old. The studies will begin at the 8 week mark. So far the its been an adjustment but improving everyday. More pain at 4 weeks from the psoas hitch than at the initial surgery. Not sure why, hoping it gets better in time.
Anneemarie61@gmail.com
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