Nurse in the Making

In some weird way, it's very satisfying to take care of a loved one that's sick - be it a child or a hubby. But it's hard to see them in pain.

Troy had surgery Friday on his shoulder, and the doctors warned us that it would be major surgery with major recovery time. Since falling off of a ladder over the winter, Troy has had increasing pain in his shoulder, to the point where he couldn't really use his left arm. When he had the MRI with contrast dye, the images revealed that it wasn't a rotator cuff injury like we thought, but actually a "superior labrum tear" - that's the cushion that the ball rests on in the socket. He tore the top of that, according to the images, and it would need to be tacked down and the bicep reattached to something other than the labrum.

Well, when the doc came out to give me the report after surgery, he said that there was more damage than expected in there, and it's no wonder he was in pain! Troy's labrum was torn across the entire top half, and there was even a "flap" that was kind of flopping, possibly causing that intense "drop him to his knees" pain. It was trimmed, tacked down, and the bicep mucle was completely severed and re-attached to the front of the coracoid process, so that it won't pull on the labrum at all. He will have function again, after healing, and it won't pull on that labrum.

Troy is doing okay - today's the day we get to change his dressing for the first time, and he gets to finally take a shower. Yay! His pain has been hard to keep up with - for the procedure, Troy had a nerve block (a shot directly into his neck, kind of like an epidural) and it lasted about 24 hours. He also had general anesthesia for the actual surgery. When he started to wake up, he had a hard time with nausea, but the nurse gave him phenergan and it knocked him right out.

He also had a scare with his blood pressure. First of all, the procedure took 3 hours instead of the expected 1 and 1/2 hours. Then, after the doc came to talk with me and said I could go back to PACU in about 20 minutes, it was an HOUR before I was called back. I was so worried that he wasn't coming out of anesthesia well. Once I was back there, and saw that Troy was okay, then the blood pressure started. (I swear, it wasn't me.) Apparently, they give epinepherine along with some of the anesthesia, and it helps balance it all out. But the epi also raised his BP a little to much - his heart rate was only 54 BPM but the BP was over 156/119! It stayed up for quite some time. They gave the phenergan, then some Labetalol, and it brought the BP down within 30 seconds. Troy's BP is usually lower than 120/80. It was all under control quickly.

So we're home, he's handling the pain pretty well, and my main job is to try to keep the kids busy and quiet - like lassoing the moon! When is nerve block finally wore off yesterday, it was really tough. He's taking one pain pill at a time, even though the doc advised to take 2 at a time this weekend. Troy just doesn't like the feel of it. He's got the biggest sling ever, with a big positioning cushion underneath the holds the arm in place. Today marks 48 hours since surgery, and I think he's doing well, all things considered.

As stubborn as he is, I think Troy can recognize that he's not going to work on Monday. Luckily, it's supposed to rain anyway! He is going to have to rest and recover for a little while, and just deal with me taking care of him. Isn't it funny how guys just want to be left alone to heal? That's how he is - he doesn't want to check on him, bring him things, ask him anything, etc. And I'm doing my best, but still check on him - he just has to deal!

Well, I'm off the wrangle the wild pigs. I can't believe it's still barely 8am - the girls have been up since 5:30! I would take them out and let them run or play somewhere, but nothing's open yet! And it's too wet for the yard or the park. I need a little creativity...

Heavenly Heatwave!

Well, who could've imagined a day in just a T-shirt? My arms were chilly, driving around town today in the 60 degree weather, but the sun on my skin was well worth it. Unfortunately, my day was spent running errands for my poor little Lily, who has a terribly painful ear infection.

I went to work this morning, thinking it would be like any other day. Worked hard, helped out, did my best - but I just couldn't stop thinking about Lily with her fever and hurting ear, waiting for me! Everyone else went to school like normal today, but I just knew that Lily was counting the seconds until I could pick her up...so I did, and we had a pretty nice sick day together! Luckily, work was light and I was able to skip out early - they are pretty good about that. Lily and I went to the pediatrician's (no strep but positive ear infection) and then to the pharmacy, then picked up the little girls at preschool, and grabbed a yummy dinner on the way home. yay for Tropical Smoothie! Those things make everything better.

Lily is asleep beside me on the couch, and we have the fire going. It was a fairly calm night - as opposed to most, where the 3 little girls run around like wild banchees, fussing at each other! Tonight was subdued - they all sat happily at the table together, ate quietly, and then we all snuggled and watched America's Funniest Home Videos! I wish it was so lovely everyday, but then maybe I wouldn't appreciate it...I'm sure tomorrow will be back to the usual little girl mood swings and temper tantrums! Having 3 fiesty girls under 5 is a ... circus!

Please cross your fingers for me this week...40 hours of work, 10 hours of lecture, and THE absolute biggest test I've had so far in my nursing school experience. Pray for the A!!!!! Thanks for your help, and I'll be dreaming of cardio and neurological abnormalities tonight...

Thrilling Three!

I can't believe my baby is three!

Molly Grace is our youngest of 5 beautiful kids. She is a mess, and I love it! I can't believe the time has passed so quickly. Elijah was born almost 10 years ago, so does that mean I'm old? No. Just that I've been a mom for almost a decade.


Time changes so many things. Ten years ago I would have expected to see myself as a homeschooling mom, enjoying the challenges of a stay at home mom. I did, for 6 years, until recently starting nursing school and starting the snowball effect...that has led to Crazy! But I wouldn't change it for the world.

I consider myself a stay at home mom that happens to be working right now. And attending school. That will never change, and I can see the view from both sides of that fence. I loved the opportunity to enjoy my kids all day every day, and now I also love the opportunity to challenge myself in a different way (not so much just my patience). Nothing is easy! It's just a matter of choice.

So for Molly Grace's birthday this Valentine's weekend we decided to do her party here at home. And what a fun day! We did a Hello Kitty Tea Party, with real tea and pastries. Super fun! She loved sitting at the head of the big table, and really enjoyed being the center of attention for the whole day. We started with a Valentine's arts and crafts table, then moved into the dining room for the tea party. After eating, it was time for presents! And then back to the table for Ice Cream Cake. Totally fun for everyone!

I would just like to share that so called "time management" is not something I would consider to be my strength. I do a lot, commit to a lot, and take on a lot. But I also only have 24 hours in a day! I think we can all do anything we feel is meaningful, we just have to decide that it's important. We choose how things happen! When someone asks me if I "have" time, I say "No, but I can make the time!" That's how I look at my life these days...

...Making Time.