Post surgery. 2.5 weeks

What a difference! 

Post surgery day 4

Lin enjoyed sleeping at the hotel. We all did. She got a decent nights sleep but for having to take medications here and there. Lindsey was able to shower and wash her hair and she said it felt so good!  I combed out her hair just like when she was little and this gave me some great memories. I tried to start braiding it but she was having none of that and went for the sloppy high bun on top of her head. I am sure everyone is familiar with that look of hers!  We were able to see the wound for the first time and changed her bandage.  Really fascinating. It is glued together and she has some strips that will fall of and done stitches that will dissolve. 

We packed up and loaded her in the car as best we could with pillows all around. Sitting up was terrifically uncomfortable for her. We made stops in north bend and Cle Elum.  Finally in Ellensburg, I removed all the bags and luggage and lay the seats flat in back and put blankets and pillows down. She wasn't belted in for the duration of the trip but she was so much more comfortable.  At home she had friends, Hunter, Kate and Marina come over and family.. Maura, Meggie, Patrick, Jason and Kevin, Brian, Grant, Reid and Guy all over. We had pizza and Lin finally went to bed exhausted. She maneuvered the stairs nicely.  

Sat am she woke up tired and taking pain beds. She may have over done it a bit. More friends stopped by! 

"the wound"

Headed home...

Laid out flat in car... 

Post surgery day 3

Today started out pretty good. Other than a relatively sleepless night due to a roommate medical situation, Lin woke up chipper. Pain relatively mild, but is still on meds including Valium and oxycodone which of course helps A LOT.  With help of PT, Lin walked around the hall and even up a flight of stairs. She went down the elevator with me to Starbucks, but got tired so I wheelchaired her back to the room. After a nap and a special request of Indian food (her appetite is coming back), Lin got up and walked a little more. She enjoyed sitting in the sun for a spell (Facebook photo).  The afternoon involved resting and walking here and there. The staff was so pleased.   Eileen Tierney also came to visit which was so sweet!!  

We received the good news that Lin was going to be released as she met all the milestones needed.. Earlier than anticipated!  Exciting!  After getting the meds filled, cleaning the room, dressing her and Granny taking photos of her roommate and family (unbeknownst to me she was chatting them up), it was time to leave!  Lin slowly walked down the hall, thanked the wonderful nurses and loaded up in the car and we are staying one last night at the University Silver Cloud hotel.  Ahhhh.. After 3 nights in a hospital room, it is wonderful to be in a cool hotel room and comfortable bed!  No bright fluorescent lights and hard fold out couch.  The phenom "rock star" patient is so happy to be released!  

Headed down the hall...

Fresh air...

Mommy love...

Lin is now 5' 9 1/2" .. Grew almost 1"

Next to her room...

Outside the hospital...

Netflix at hotel.. So good to be out! 💝

Post surgery day 2

Lin got up and walked around a second time and it was much more successful. She walked down the hall and back with some assistance, sat in a chair for 15 min and then got into bed. She said it wasn't too painful at all, however, she is still on oxycodone.  She also has a patch for nausea.  Her catheter was taken out. She ate mashed potatoes.. 2 helpings!

Lin has been cheered up by so many well wishes.. Friends and family calling, texting or visiting. It warns our hearts. Granny and I have "tag teamed" caring for Lin.  Going back to the hotel for a shower and nap has been awesome. I am so grateful for granny's help. And, I am grateful for electronics!  

Flowers from Meggie and Patrick...

Walking adventure...

Bandage...

Dr. Krengel.. Awesome surgeon...

Caregiver Granny learning to text...

Friends sent cake pops! 

Ty and Eva brought her a stuffed giraffe..

Post surgery day 2

Lindsey has been sleeping a lot better during the night. The sleep mask Granny gave her has been a lifesaver as it is always a little bright in her room. Pain is moderate and the drugs help. Lin thinks that dance really helped her in many ways:  her spine was more flexible for surgery, she learned how to tolerate pain, and she learned how to be mentally tough. She wants to get back and thank Coach  Rachael for this! 

She started eating a little bit of solid food:  Chex cereal and applesauce. Otherwise, she really isn't hungry. The PT folks are coming in today and may see if she can get up and walk a bit. We are told she can get measured to see how much she has grown with a straightened back. Lin is excited to see this!  Other than that, we are just rolling her over every few hours from side to side.  

I have to say I am grateful for cell phones and texting. It was been a great help and comfort to Lin to communicate with friends and family this way. 

1 pm.   Lin got up and walked out to hall with assistance. She felt sick and returned to sitting down. She vomited a few times then we put her in bed with Valium. All normal stuff for the most part.  She is resting and will have to try and walk later. 

Eating some solids...

Pain button at her fingertips... 

Sitting up after walk and feeling sick...

Gift from Nana...

Post surgery day 1

This am was a little rough. Lin barely slept due to all the poking and prodding and checking of vitals throughout the night. I left in am when her dad came to visit. After he left, Granny stayed with her. Lins oxygen level started going down and she got a little spooked and was a little weepy and scared. The bottom line is that she was exhausted. Everyone was so nice and assured her all will be ok which comforted her. Granny held her hand and helped her breathe to calm her.  She texted her friends which helped as well. Pain is low. Now on pain pills, not IV and a liquid diet. She sat up with assistance from a physical therapist and dangled her feet over the bed.  This was the goal for the day.  It was painful but tolerable. She felt she had 1000 pounds on her back. 

The nurses have all commented on how well Lin is doing. One described her as a "phenom" and that they haven't had a patient recovering so well from spine surgery in a long, long time. They commented on how sweet and polite she is as well.  So many calls, texts, emails and wonderful thoughts for her have come in.  It is fantastic to feel such love and support.  

Lin's friend Brian Murphy came to town, brought her flowers from Pike Place Market and visited with her... 

Finally sleeping...

Her back with hardware... 

Post surgery day 1

Lin slept only one hour during the night. Dull pain in her back. She says the pain she experienced after dance practices prepared her for this as it is similar. She is on an IV drip of Tylenol and they will give her some Valium later. Pain is tolerable. The nurses were in every hour or so adjusting her position and checking vitals, etc. Lindsey said she noticed immediately after surgery that she could lay flat and that she felt straighter.. Didn't feel the hump or large muscle misalignment she always had. So far so good.