Lisa (Pastor and Debra's daughter) is scheduled to have spinal surgery on Wednesday June 25th at University of California Irvine Medical Center. She has been diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis and this is corrective surgery. The surgery will last about 6 hours with a day in ICU and about a week in the hospital. I'll attempt to keep you posted here of what's happening. For now (and always) pray for her and the medical team.
Thanks
Pastor Dennis
Wednesday June 25th
We traveled to UCI Medical Center and got there by 11:30 AM and checked in for the surgery, by Noon the preadmit paper work was done and we were in the waiting room waiting for the OR to call Lisa back. 1 pm came and went then 2 pm and by 2:30 pm Lisa was called to the preop and prepared for her surgery. Unfortunately, Dr. Bhatia's previous surgery was still going on and would delay Lisa's sugery.
Long story short.
At 5:30 pm Lisa was rolled into the operating room after some emotional "good-bying" by mom and dad. (The toughtest part of the day.)
Praying then for Dr. Bhatia and his team.
Deb and I get a bite to eat and are back in the waiting room, which by this point is pretty deserted compared to earlier in the day.
Thursday June 26th
At about Midnight we get word that the surgery has ended and Dr. Bahtia would come to see us. By 12:30 am Dr. Bhatia informs us that all went well and Lisa would be in ICU for a couple of days and in quite a bit of pain, but everything went as planned. (Praise God!)
By 2:00 am we were taken into the ICU and got to see Lisa. In more than a little pain she was trying to figure the whole thing out. Eventually we said our good nights and head across the street to our hotel to get a few hours of sleep.
It is now 6:30 and we are getting ready to see Lisa and will up date you all then.
Late on Thursday
Lisa looks a little better when we see here in the morning. By the afternoon she continues to look more like herself. She is still in and out, but now more "in" than "out". She is a real trooper and wants to feel better sooner than later. Late in the morning she tries to have a bite of the first solid food she has had in a couple of days. That doesn't go so well. The doctor orders some medication to help with the nausea.
As many of you know when you have major surgery they put the patient in charge of their pain management by way of a pump that administers a dose of pain medication when the patient pushes the button. It's pretty strong stuff so whenever Lisa pushes the button she gets pretty sleepy.
She is on her back for the most part and is on a cooling pad which is designed to keep her comfortable. They turn her on occasion to check her back and that is pretty painful. (There is still a lot of drainage from the surgery so they have a pump that removes the blood and fluid from her back.)
By afternoon one of her doctors came in and chatted with her. Her surgeon, Dr. Bhatia came and again explained what he did. He also brought a had copy of the post-op xrays with all the pins and rods and the correction that had been made. Pretty amazing! Dr. Bhatia is a really good surgeon and has an incredible bedside manner too. Later the assistant to Dr. Bhatia checks in with her too. Great team.
By evening Lisa tried a little bread and kept it done. I know she feels this is a big victory.
Friday June 27th
Lisa was doing pretty good this morning. When we got there we ordered her breakfast of a bagel and fresh fruit. She ate about a fourth of the bagel and a grape. She looked good and the cooling pad is keeping the “fire” in her back somewhat manageable, along with the high powered pain medication.
By mid-morning Lisa is a little worse. She pretty pale and doesn’t want to talk. A friend from school comes by and she smiles a little. She sleeps quite a bit today, which seems to me to be a good thing. By late afternoon I’m heading back to Hemet as I have Anita Wilson’s funeral tomorrow and church on Sunday.
I talked to Deb tonight and Lisa ate some dinner. Praying for a good night.
The plan is for one more night in ICU and then to her on
room by Saturday and getting her out of bed for the first time on Saturday.
Saturday June 28th
Lisa is still in ICU. They have now removed the drain in her back and tried to sit her up, but that didn't go so well the first time at about 9 am. They will try again at 10 am. The plan still is to get her out of ICU sometime today.
Debra called at about 4 pm and Lisa is now out of ICU and into a regular rooom. Most of the IV's are out and she is happy about that
Sunday June 29th
After worship at St. John's I headed back to Orange. It was good to see Lisa in a regular room and not in ICU. She is sharing a room with a girl her age who had the same surgery on the same day Lisa had her surgery. She is still quite dizzy and having some trouble standing without feeling faint.
Monday June 30th
About the same this morning, but by the time her doctors come by and explain some things about her dizziness being pretty par for the course given the loss of blood and medications she and we are feeling better about it all. She is much more steady on her feet and walking. And by the afternoon she wants to come home and get a shower. Although that is not going to happend she does have a number of visitors and feels better with that.
Tuesday July 1st
Lisa is ready to come home and after a visit with the surgeon both she and the other girl who had the same surgery are released. After a couple of hours of waiting for the paper work we are on the way back to Hemet. Got back by about 3:30 pm. It was a long ride and although she is in some pain she is happy to be home and now in her bed. After a couple of hours of resting she takes her first shower since before the surgery.
Wednesday July 2nd
She had a good night and was still sleeping when I left for church this morning.
Thanks again for all your prayers and encouraging words.
Thanks to God for His continued grace and love!
Dennis and Debra