Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Weights and measures
Jess has been home for five days. Every day is getting better, with smaller hills to climb.
The second day of Jess’s return was a work day for me. Jess’s brother was due in the morning to “watch” him and assist where needed. He arrived about an hour after I left for work. Jess did not sleep well, so he took a cat nap. Upon hearing the doorbell ring, Jess got up too fast and fainted. Of course I didn’t learn this until he admitted this to the nurse that afternoon. By Thursday the home physical therapist looked at his knee and noticed the swelling. We got Jess to see a doctor and x-rayed and it turned out he is fine. We have been icing him every two hours and that has helped. A couple of days later in an attempt to place a plug in the wall, he fell while trying to squat – he has no muscles left in his legs. So two falls the first week home and no breaks. Whew.
I am making daily grocery store trips to assure Jess is getting low-sodium tasty meals. So far we have hit will all winners. All his pills are being crushed individually and mixed with applesauce – he gets another swallow test next Friday. I flush his t-line twice a day – the tube coming out of his left side is a nuisance for him. He will have it for another month.
Besides his very low blood pressure he is doing fine. We have tried to get out yesterday, short trips at a time, and he managed very well. Saturday felt like a nearly normal day. Jess is sleeping more and I am beginning to see how to manage the daily routine.
Jess is sleeping in late this morning. It is wonderful that he is still at rest at 7 am. When he rises we will weigh him and take and record his blood pressure. This is followed by breakfast and the series of twelve medications. We record his fluid intake and make sure he stays in his 48oz. range for the day.
Today we have a few short trips planned. Phoebe will be dropped off to be bathed. We will hit Whole Foods to check their low-sodium items and hunt for a no-sodium baking soda substitute and breads. (I am going to draw the line at making bread; there is only the two of us.) I will have Jess use the cart as a “walker” – (I fear other shoppers will bump into him).
We will go to my mother’s and meet up with my sister’s family to celebrate Jess’s homecoming. My mother has CHF and is doing quite well for her 80 ½ years. She lives alone in a large rambling home after my father’s passing two years ago. She told me that she feels so great, that if it weren’t for the arthritis in her knees she’d be “skipping and dancing.” And she just can’t wait to give Jess advice. Mom has a mini gym in her home so it is my intention to get Jess at least on the treadmill for a ten minute walk.
Last night Frank and Kathy had us over for dinner. Frank made wonderful chicken marsala with so sodium. It was wonderful to see Jess relaxing with his best friend with not too long ago, the vision of a teary-eye Frank at Jess’s bedside. In moments like this, I can not help but look over to Jess and well-up. God has given him another chance and it is nothing short of miraculous.
Jess doesn’t like being called a miracle, but I have decided and advised him to embrace it. That is exactly what he is. Does that mean I don’t worry everyday? Of course I do, but he is here right now, making improvements everyday.
The second day of Jess’s return was a work day for me. Jess’s brother was due in the morning to “watch” him and assist where needed. He arrived about an hour after I left for work. Jess did not sleep well, so he took a cat nap. Upon hearing the doorbell ring, Jess got up too fast and fainted. Of course I didn’t learn this until he admitted this to the nurse that afternoon. By Thursday the home physical therapist looked at his knee and noticed the swelling. We got Jess to see a doctor and x-rayed and it turned out he is fine. We have been icing him every two hours and that has helped. A couple of days later in an attempt to place a plug in the wall, he fell while trying to squat – he has no muscles left in his legs. So two falls the first week home and no breaks. Whew.
I am making daily grocery store trips to assure Jess is getting low-sodium tasty meals. So far we have hit will all winners. All his pills are being crushed individually and mixed with applesauce – he gets another swallow test next Friday. I flush his t-line twice a day – the tube coming out of his left side is a nuisance for him. He will have it for another month.
Besides his very low blood pressure he is doing fine. We have tried to get out yesterday, short trips at a time, and he managed very well. Saturday felt like a nearly normal day. Jess is sleeping more and I am beginning to see how to manage the daily routine.
Jess is sleeping in late this morning. It is wonderful that he is still at rest at 7 am. When he rises we will weigh him and take and record his blood pressure. This is followed by breakfast and the series of twelve medications. We record his fluid intake and make sure he stays in his 48oz. range for the day.
Today we have a few short trips planned. Phoebe will be dropped off to be bathed. We will hit Whole Foods to check their low-sodium items and hunt for a no-sodium baking soda substitute and breads. (I am going to draw the line at making bread; there is only the two of us.) I will have Jess use the cart as a “walker” – (I fear other shoppers will bump into him).
We will go to my mother’s and meet up with my sister’s family to celebrate Jess’s homecoming. My mother has CHF and is doing quite well for her 80 ½ years. She lives alone in a large rambling home after my father’s passing two years ago. She told me that she feels so great, that if it weren’t for the arthritis in her knees she’d be “skipping and dancing.” And she just can’t wait to give Jess advice. Mom has a mini gym in her home so it is my intention to get Jess at least on the treadmill for a ten minute walk.
Last night Frank and Kathy had us over for dinner. Frank made wonderful chicken marsala with so sodium. It was wonderful to see Jess relaxing with his best friend with not too long ago, the vision of a teary-eye Frank at Jess’s bedside. In moments like this, I can not help but look over to Jess and well-up. God has given him another chance and it is nothing short of miraculous.
Jess doesn’t like being called a miracle, but I have decided and advised him to embrace it. That is exactly what he is. Does that mean I don’t worry everyday? Of course I do, but he is here right now, making improvements everyday.
Comment
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Comment by Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby on April 27, 2009 at 6:47am
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Such wonderful news - Keep up the good work Jesse! I bet is is so good to be home...
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Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on April 26, 2009 at 7:30pm
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Ditto what Nancy said! You are back to living your (very busy) real lives. Life itself is a miracle, isn't it?
Hugs to you, Jess, P & H from JD & me.
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Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on April 26, 2009 at 7:23pm
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This is such good news. Not back to your old routines perhaps, but back to your real lives with new routines. I am so glad to hear that things are going so well.
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Comment by Beverly Wright on April 26, 2009 at 6:13pm
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This is great news to hear that Jess is getting out and about! I know that you worry every moment....but you are so right to focus on the positive! Remember he is still having to take things one day at a time! It is not unusual at all with hypotension to faint.......he will learn to get up and down slowly!! Thanks for the updates! Love, hugs, and doodle kisses.
Bev
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Comment by Carol Ramsey on April 26, 2009 at 6:07pm
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Things are sounding pretty upbeat. I'm sure you are totally zonked by the time bedtime comes, but at least you are all together under one roof. Jess is amazing!
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Comment by Adrianne Matzkin on April 26, 2009 at 5:51pm
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You are both so lucky - not only to have Jess home and working on getting back to health but ot have wonderful family and friends for support! Indeed, very, very lucky!
You are always in my thoughts and prayers,
Adrianne
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Comment by 2SCdoodles on April 26, 2009 at 4:46pm
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More little steps that all add up to a wonderful miracle!
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Comment by Missi on April 26, 2009 at 1:44pm
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It is so nice to hear that you and Jess are settling into a daily routine. Glad that he doesn't have any injuries post-falls. He'll get used to not moving so quickly! Is Phoebe being more gentle with him these days? Or does she expect the same playful daddy? And good advice for him to embrace "miracle," as he truly is!
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Comment by Jeri on April 26, 2009 at 1:25pm
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So good to hear from you. Glad that you two are settling back into life; all though a bit different than before. YES Jess is a miracle and he should embrace it. I did and life is good.
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Comment by Adina P on April 26, 2009 at 9:24am
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This has all been so amazing. What a blessed road to recovery! Everything is looking up with your miracle hubby.
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