First Post Surgical Day

I hope these images are not too graphic for anyone, but Nicole wanted to provide the information for those following her blog. I thought she looked amazing today. It's hard to believe what she had been through less than 24 hours ago.

Her first night apparently was a difficult one as she described vomiting bile and needing Potassium which burned like crazy. She is hoping her glucose level was better today as it was 180 last night - presumably from the steroids. Still the spot in her RLL. Nicole is working with her Spirometer (blowing 1,000-1,500) and swabbing and suctioning herself (as you can see in the last picture). Tomorrow she should have her swallowing test and we're hoping that goes well. Her right hip was bothering her with an area of skin breakdown from lying on that side for so many hours during surgery. She continues to be in a lot of pain but can request Fentanyl every half hour, if needed. She mentioned Dr. Tamagro needed to cut through the musculature in her neck so the pain has been down the entire left side of her head to her shoulder. Her nurse told us her neurosurgeon doesn't like for his patients to have very much pain medication since he wants to be able to note neurological changes. She still isn't able to close her L eye totally so it was bandaged shut last night and the staff has been good about putting in lubricating drops.

Some good news from her neurosurgeon - Nicole told us Dr. T said they were able to preserve all of her nerves except the vestibular so they are hoping against hopes some time down the line she may even be able to regain her hearing in the left ear!

Not losing her sense of humor, when Dr. T asked if she had blurry vision, she said she always had blurry vision unless she had her glasses on but if seeing him with 4 eyes meant her vision was blurry and double, then yes, that was the case. (Sounds like the joke of 'Doctor, will I be able to play the piano when you are finished the surgery?')

For all of her nursing friends following this blog, I hopefully have all of the below information correct regarding her stats and meds-

1- 9%Sodium Chloride/ Decadron 10mg/100cc

2- Phenyephrine 20mg/NaCl 248ml/Vessicant 2ml

3- Potassium Chloride 20mEq

4- Fentanyl - every half hour prn

Pulse at time of recording - 87, BP 104/62mmHg, Respirations-10

Nicole hopes to be moved to a stepped down unit tomorrow - she would still be in the Meyer building at Hopkins just on a different floor. I suppose a lot will depend on the status of the right lower lobe clearing and her swallowing test.

Several people have asked us about flowers. Of course while in the NCCU (Neuro Critical Care Unit), she can't have anything in the room. But speaking with Nicole prior to the surgery, she mentioned her cats would destroy any flowers/plants she might receive.....and honestly, I think she'd prefer a card or a gift certificate to her favorite store, Target, over flowers!