No News Isn't Necessarily Good News

Well not much has changed in the last couple weeks. . . Paula is still at Christ Hospital, and probably will be for the forseeable future because of the much lower risk of infection and the much greater attention that can be given to her wounds. She is receiving IV antibiotics and pain medication, (currently a Dilaudid and Methadone combo) and is receiving treatments every other day that are harsh enough they require sedation. She has been in considerable pain and is very saddened by the setback with the original grafts. We are still unsure what the next step will be exactly, or how soon the doctors will want to proceed. The original estimates put the next graft some time as early as next week, but we are trying not to get too anxious, because we know how things go.

I am hanging in there, but it isn't easy. I am amazed at Paula's strength through this ordeal. Although she is incredibly sad and had lost most of what little hope she once had, she is still as kind and gentle and concerned about me, our family, our friends and our jobs as she always has been. I really hope we get some good news to cling to soon, as lately the negativity from the failure of the first graft still exists. We really need some new hope.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, I know it has helped her and I both to remain strong through times nobody should be forced to endure. I will do my best to keep you posted.

Rejection

So the first bomb in a while hit today. This afternoon Paula's mom called and told me that the new graft on the main wound has become infected and Paula was going to be taken by ambulance back to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. She is now in the Emergency Room, (for God knows how long) and I am unclear but assume she will be admitted until they can get her stabilized. The new tissue may be a loss, and so we lose all the progress of the last few weeks. (or more, again, I am unsure) What I don't know yet is what happens next, but for tonight, things just aren't fucking good at all.

So here I am again . . . I am worried, hurt, tired and alone. I just need something to go right with this. ANY FUCKING THING WOULD BE OKAY WITH ME RIGHT NOW!!! I hope they can find out WHY this went south, after getting such a good report from the doctor as recent as Friday. This is all the information I have for right now. I just can't believe this is happening. Will this poor girl get a break soon? ANYTHING??? WTF?

I'll update again when I know more. right now this is all the energy I have left.

Another Good Report

Well it was another doctor visit yesterday for my favorite patient, and another good report card from the doctor. He was very happy with the wound and the surrounding skin, and said it is as good or better than he had even hoped for at this stage. He feels she is on the right track to recovery. He did not give a timeline, but we may get one in another week or so. I am guessing 3-4 weeks before we even consider coming home. In general, Paula has had a rough week, although its been a bit better the last couple days. She is still getting a lot of pain medication, but she is finally getting some sleep and we are hoping that now every few days she may feel an improvement as the wound seals up. The changing of the wound vac (painful) went better yesterday than ever before, which gives us a lot of hope that maybe things are getting better.

Anyway, another bit of progress, and right now I'll take any I can get! Thank you all so much for your support.

Independence Day

Well Dr. Ennis checked in on Paula today and was happy with how the skin graft looked. They removed the existing wound vac (painful) and added a new larger (even more painful) wound vac in its place. This new vac covers even more area to try to save any leakage from the borders of the previous vac from injuring the suurounding tissue of the wound. She has had quite a bit of pain lately, especially today with the bandage changing. Now it will be several days again before the have to disturb the wound site. All in all, anothe good report card from the doctor.

Paula has been a real trooper through this, but now really needs to get some relief. This week will be pivotal in her emotional well being, because if she can see some healing progress and FEEL some hraling progress it woulf really help lift her spirits. Please keep us both in your thoughts and prayers. It has been a difficult time, and your support has really kept me strong and in turn has helped keep her strong as well.

And may God bless every individual who has ever worked toward the future or defended the rights of our country.