No PFT’s Within a Month of any Surgery 😉

So RT just came in and I told her I wasn’t sure how it was going to go so she asked what I had done—turns out PFT’s (lung function tests) are a no go within a month of any surgery. I was really wondering because you literally use about every muscle in your body very forcefully to do them, but especially your abdominal muscles, so she joked I would pop a stitch/glue lol. She’s sending a message back to the team and that was the only thing they wanted to see but since they can’t do it, there shouldn’t be any reason to keep me, so Lord willing, I should be homeward bound soon! 💖

Lord Willing, Home Monday!

Just a quick post to say I had another good day today—live-streamed church, video chatted with a couple people, went on 4 walks, and chatted with the docs. Two biggest prayer requests is that I can do my lung function test with decent results because it takes a LOT of abdominal strength to do so I know that’s going to be hard and then wisdom with antibiotics because my pseudomonas is intermediately resistant to both the antibiotics so it could get complicated. I need to get to sleep, but wanted people praying in the morning when I should be doing the tests and talking to my doc about which antibiotic to go home on etc. As long as the lung functions are stable and close, I will get to go home tomorrow—very much hoping for that!! 💖

Thankful 💖

Today was a good day—I got to see my hubby, he helped me go on three walks and change into clean clothes again—hello hot flashes and surgical menopause and night sweats lol. I also had a super sweet nurse who shared her story of why she became a nurse which are the best kind of stories. I got to video chat with Mason (one of my nephews) for his birthday today, and watched “The Last Rodeo” since you could finally stream it—so good but it’s a tear jerker and for those that have had loved one’s ride bulls—a stressful movie at times too lol.

I’m still pretty sore and not wanting to cough, but coughing nonetheless to work my lungs towards going home on Monday, Lord willing! Jord and I talked, watched a short show, walked me multiple times, and played some Pokemon Go. “Molly” the Squishmallow makes a perfect pillow to hold onto while I walk in case I cough.

Got a pic with Jord too 💖

We are ready for me to be home from surgery number one. Lord willing, my sinus surgery will be in August sometime, but we’ll continue trusting Him for the details. Thankful for His guidance and protection!

In His Everlasting Arms,

Rachelle

Much Better Day

Today was a much better day than yesterday. Yesterday was really rough between the pain and then throwing up a lot was not fun. They finally resorted to putting a new scopolamine patch on in conjunction with the comprazine and it started working late last night. My abs are SUPER sore today but Mom and Dad came down and walked me for my longest walk yet—almost the complete hallway lol—it’s all about perspective—I’m out of bed and moving! Mom also helped me change into a clean dress and my nurse changed my bedding out…next feel so good step will be a full shower, but I’m not quite there yet……..

Today, aside from the abs, the incision in my bellybutton and the larger one on my left side are the ones I feel the most when I have to cough. Mom took a pic of me sitting up in the chair as the bed was finished being made—the blanket from Whinny the Poo is from Aunt Bindy (Mom’s sister) and I bring it every hospitalization now cause it’s so fun and fits the bed perfectly. Little things like that make the stay just a little better. 💖

The other extremely soft blanket is from my friend, Cass, who’s spent her fair share of time in hospitals and brought it to me for my last hospitalization—the two together work great! Smiles tonight as I’m about done with inhalers and might get to bed at a very decent time for hospital life. Looking forward to seeing my hubby tomorrow. 💖 Tjabk you so much for all your continued prayers, love, and support—we could not walk this journey alone! God is so kind to us!

In His Mighty Grip,

Rachelle

Recovery Update

Good morning ☀️…Yesterday was a pretty rough day between pain early in the day and then throwing up quite a bit later in the day. They tried a couple different nausea meds to no avail, so we finally put the scopolamine patch back on and I’ll just take it off before my eyes start to get blurry from that. Having this “belly binder” support thing has been huge—so thankful Sarah had one after her surgery and we thought to ask. I’m super sore after throwing up now and they even did an x-ray of my belly to make sure there wasn’t a blockage or anything weird causing the nausea and there isn’t, PTL. I just need to move more to get rid of the gas and help my lungs get back in shape. I have occasionally been in the high 80’s for my pulse ox but I can take a few breaths and it improves, so I don’t need oxygen per se. Thanks for all the love, support, and prayers! They are proposing doing the second surgery on Monday but Jord and I are united in the opposite direction and think we should wait until I get back from our AZ trip. Thanks for praying for wisdom on that!

Snuffy and Waddles Jr on their perch watching over me. 🥰

Postponing Second Surgery

We’ve decided to hold off on the sinus surgery for now but haven’t been able to let the doc know yet. I got into quite a bit of pain at 2AM and I just don’t think I can do both. God has given me a peace about it. Plus, I’m on a second antibiotic for another bug cultured in my lungs and they are really not happy post surgery.

Trusting His perfect plan and ways are higher than ours!

Post Surgery Update

Made it through—still haven’t talked to surgeon as my surgery took a lot longer than he had planned—I’m guessing b/c there was more endometriosis than he thought. I woke up hurting pretty bad but so far have only thrown up once! So thankful for all the prayers—super sore even on pretty good pain meds, but thankful. Been listening to worship music resting. 💖

Prayer Requests and Go Time

My nurse woke me up bright and early to say that OR called and will come get me between 5-6 to take me down to prep. It’s earlier than they said, so pray that Sarah gets here and to the pre-op area before they actually take me back for surgery. They also had to do the IV that makes me itch, so I’m having to pre-med with a medicine that eventually makes me nauseous. They also want to give me a second IV antibiotic, Vancomycin, which I’ve actually never had before. I opted for them to not start it in the middle of the night last night while I was sleeping since I’ve had tinnitus and nerve hearing loss from drugs in the same family—pray that I can tolerate it without any side effects as they need to give me something since I’m having surgeries that covers a wider range of bacteria. (The other antibiotic is specific to the bacteria in my lungs). Thanks everyone! I’ll try and keep y’all updated as best as possible—I had technical difficulties getting Faith and Addy access to the blog, so I’ll either have Sarah do short updates from my phone or I’ll do it.

“But our God is in the heavens, He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3

Got the Call!

Just a quick post to let y’all know I got the call for a room around 1:30 and am almost there. Check-in for surgery tomorrow is 6AM. My friend from church, Sarah, is coming to help with the first one and overnight and then Jord will come down for surgery number 2 (Lord willing, as long as lungs handle first surgery ok!) and be with me for that one. We are anticipating about a week in the hospital, as long as things go smoothly, but are trusting that the Lord’s plans are best and He is trustworthy and so faithful—He has carried me through thus far and will supply every need until He comes back or calls me home! Thank you for all the prayers, not only for me, but for Jord—we feel them!

In His Mighty Grip,

Rachelle

PS—below is a paragraph in my devotions this morning that was perfect for my heart this morning. 💖

Surgery a Go Next Tuesday/Wednesday

Just wanted to do a quick update. I’m still at UAB, but saw my lung doctor and my lung function is stable at 53 and we have a green light for both surgeries next week. Lord willing, I’ll be admitted on Monday and then have my female surgery Tuesday and my sinus surgery Wednesday. Please pray for the logistics of this so I do indeed get a bed Monday—the NP said most of the time it’s good but sometimes it gets wonky and not to worry if for some reason I don’t get a bed but to just then call surgery people and come for surgery Tuesday. However, it will be much better for coordination and planning of meds to get in on Monday, so that’s our prayer! I’m so thankful for my team here—MK (the NP) probably spent 45 minutes with me and then Dr Solomon spent a good 20, answering questions and not only that but caring about my life outside of the medical world and sharing theirs as well. I know I am right where God wants me to be and He is faithful and will provide for me each step of the way, scary as it may be at times. I will do a longer post later with more details etc but wanted to have the gist of the plan out to everyone that’s been praying! My niece, Lilly, is my buddy for the day! 💖