Long time no update -- sorry! But in this case it's a good thing. Jeff is home from the hospital and recovering in the capable hands of Mary Jeanne - whew!
Morgan had her first post-op visit with the Dr. yesterday - she got lots of good news. She's healing well, a little ahead of schedule. The plan is to get her into physical therapy before the end of February. It's time to start some slow stretching to help build up muscles and restore some of the strength she's lost. Every day shes moves a little easier, she's speeding around the house with her walker and sitting up for 45 minutes at a time - she still tires easily, but thats normal - her body is working overtime. Boredom is the enemy now - so we're looking for sitting activities - anyone with any great ideas feel free to share!
Thanks again to everyone -
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Jeff -
Jeff came out of surgery. They took out a foot of his intestine, but everything went great with the surgery. Doctor says everything went exactly as planned - no surprises. The cancer was not attached to anything else. They took some lymph nodes, but only to test them....
He should be in recovery for a couple hours.... but it will be several hours before Mary Jeanne can see him.
As things progress, I'll post more... but GREAT news so far.
Judy
He should be in recovery for a couple hours.... but it will be several hours before Mary Jeanne can see him.
As things progress, I'll post more... but GREAT news so far.
Judy
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tuesday, Feb 1
I seem to have lost a day - sorry folks. Things were a little hectic\stressful yesterday. Morgan was released from the hospital and we managed to get her home ~ with a hand from Uncle John (thanks a ton!!) ~
She's doing pretty well - walking short distances with her walker, sitting up for longer periods of time. She has a long recovery ahead of her, the Dr. says that the four bone grafts that were inserted between the discs will take 9 to 12 months to form. During that time she'll have to be careful but everything is held together with a system of rods and screws down a length of 8' of her spine - so she's supported. The next 6 weeks will be a critical time, we're watching for infections, blood clots etc...
This is the time when Morgan will need the most support from her friends and family - she can't lift anything, twist, bend, drive and a host of other things that shes used to doing herself and, living where they do makes things difficult as well. So, if you have time a visit will be great, misery loves company after all! With all of us around we figure that we'll be able to get groceries etc to them, if you're not sure when to go or what she might need you can either call her or us. But just staying in touch so that she knows we're here if she needs us would be the best thing. Email is great, calls are great - her contact info is below or call me and I'll get something organized.
We have been overwhelmed with all the love and support from all of you - it has really made an incredibly difficult time easier. Thank you is so inadequate but it will have to do.
Morgan's phone 540-742-3923
Morgan's email mltebeau@gmail.com
She's doing pretty well - walking short distances with her walker, sitting up for longer periods of time. She has a long recovery ahead of her, the Dr. says that the four bone grafts that were inserted between the discs will take 9 to 12 months to form. During that time she'll have to be careful but everything is held together with a system of rods and screws down a length of 8' of her spine - so she's supported. The next 6 weeks will be a critical time, we're watching for infections, blood clots etc...
This is the time when Morgan will need the most support from her friends and family - she can't lift anything, twist, bend, drive and a host of other things that shes used to doing herself and, living where they do makes things difficult as well. So, if you have time a visit will be great, misery loves company after all! With all of us around we figure that we'll be able to get groceries etc to them, if you're not sure when to go or what she might need you can either call her or us. But just staying in touch so that she knows we're here if she needs us would be the best thing. Email is great, calls are great - her contact info is below or call me and I'll get something organized.
We have been overwhelmed with all the love and support from all of you - it has really made an incredibly difficult time easier. Thank you is so inadequate but it will have to do.
Morgan's phone 540-742-3923
Morgan's email mltebeau@gmail.com
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 30
Morgan had a really nice visit last night from Maggie, John and Big Mark - too short but very good for her (and me! I miss you guys!) - it was just what she needed.
She also had her best night since arriving here, she slept over eight hours, pretty soundly with no spasms - her pain is at a much more managable level now.
Today, we're walking up the hallway (!), getting solid food, having most of the IV's removed and planning her discharge which we were hoping would be today but is looking more like Monday. Keep your fingers crossed!
She also had her best night since arriving here, she slept over eight hours, pretty soundly with no spasms - her pain is at a much more managable level now.
Today, we're walking up the hallway (!), getting solid food, having most of the IV's removed and planning her discharge which we were hoping would be today but is looking more like Monday. Keep your fingers crossed!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Later that same day...
Many exciting and interesting things have happened today - Stephanie came to visit - how can you not feel better after a visit from her?
The Dr. came by, removed Morgans pain packs -(actually, he did one and had Jon do the other) and taught us how to help her get up. Physical therapy came - Morgan sat up, walked about 25ft and then sat in her chair for over 30 minutes. We learned about taking care of the incisions (wow, about 8" on the front of her stomach, and about 9" on her spine) They look great - and are healing well. She's feeling very very tired after all the activitiy and is napping now, resting up for a visit from Mark, John and Maggie tonight.
Another couple days and hopefully she'll be headed out of here -
The Dr. came by, removed Morgans pain packs -(actually, he did one and had Jon do the other) and taught us how to help her get up. Physical therapy came - Morgan sat up, walked about 25ft and then sat in her chair for over 30 minutes. We learned about taking care of the incisions (wow, about 8" on the front of her stomach, and about 9" on her spine) They look great - and are healing well. She's feeling very very tired after all the activitiy and is napping now, resting up for a visit from Mark, John and Maggie tonight.
Another couple days and hopefully she'll be headed out of here -
Saturday, Jan. 29 10:00am
We're starting to make some slow progress with Morgan. She met with PT yesterday, they'll be here this morning to start getting her up and taking her first steps - Hopefully it will help getting her tummy working. She still isn't on any food - living on ice chips still. But if she does well today that could change.
I'll post an update after her therapy.
Thanks to Uncle Jamie for keeping her company last night - it really cheered her up!!
I'll post an update after her therapy.
Thanks to Uncle Jamie for keeping her company last night - it really cheered her up!!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday Morning Jan. 28
Morgan had a pretty good night - slept 3 hours straight, a record for her! We saw her Dr. this morning - the surgical sites both look great and are healing. Today we meet the physical therapy people and begin working with them.
Also looking forward to having something to eat besides ice chips.
Thanks to MJ and Jeff for stopping in - dinner was a nice break. We have awesome family!! Hugs!
Also looking forward to having something to eat besides ice chips.
Thanks to MJ and Jeff for stopping in - dinner was a nice break. We have awesome family!! Hugs!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday 9:30am
Morgan is in now for her second surgery - hopefully it will be less painful. The Dr. said it would feel like a much smaller truck hitting her this time. Should take about 3 hours - then a couple hours in recovery. I'll let you know how it goes.
Snowbound in Reston
Hugs
Snowbound in Reston
Hugs
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday Night - 6:30pm
Hi Ho everyone - whew! it's been a long hard day today. Morgan is holding up pretty well, sleeping a lot and getting ready for her last surgery bright and early tomorrow morning (6am!!) - Jon and I are hoping that the muscle spasms stop soon so that Morgan will be more comfortable. She's sleeping now, but has been enjoying the flowers and balloons - thanks to everyone!
We talked to her Dr. this morning - he's really happy with how things went yesterday and said that her incision looked really good, not much swelling - (it's just about 7" long)
The snow here is really impressive - windy, wet and heavy - there's about 2" on the ground already. I hope none of you have to drive in it!
Also, if you haven't heard yet - Jeff's surgery will be next Wednesday at Loudon Hospital. He's gotten lots of good news and is looking forward to a fairly easy time. We'll keep you updated on that one as we hear more.
Hugs from Morgan to all of you - thanks for your good wishes.
We talked to her Dr. this morning - he's really happy with how things went yesterday and said that her incision looked really good, not much swelling - (it's just about 7" long)
The snow here is really impressive - windy, wet and heavy - there's about 2" on the ground already. I hope none of you have to drive in it!
Also, if you haven't heard yet - Jeff's surgery will be next Wednesday at Loudon Hospital. He's gotten lots of good news and is looking forward to a fairly easy time. We'll keep you updated on that one as we hear more.
Hugs from Morgan to all of you - thanks for your good wishes.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday Night
About 6:30pm - finally quiet. Got Morgan settled in her room around 3:00 - very uncomfortable, very groggy. But they have her on some great drugs for the pain and she's sleeping on and off.
So far everything looks good - long day tomorrow - then the second surgery on Thursday.
Thanks to everyone for your good wishes\calls etc...
So far everything looks good - long day tomorrow - then the second surgery on Thursday.
Thanks to everyone for your good wishes\calls etc...
Tuesday Update
We got Morgan to the hospital this morning around 6am - met the surgeon and her medical team - she was a little nervous but feeling good.
They expect this first surgery to last between 3 and 4 hours - a couple of hours in recovery, then they'll assign her a room. I'll post that information when I have it - probably not before late afternoon.
Fingers crossed, send her your happy thoughts.
They expect this first surgery to last between 3 and 4 hours - a couple of hours in recovery, then they'll assign her a room. I'll post that information when I have it - probably not before late afternoon.
Fingers crossed, send her your happy thoughts.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Here We Go!
Okay friends and family - Morgan is headed for surgery next week and this is where we'll post updates and information as often as practical. If you need to know anything that isn't here, you can always call Mark at home: 540-743-1178 or at the store: 540-635-5353
As things stand right now, Morgan will have her first stage of surgery on Tuesday, Jan.25- she goes in at 6am they expect surgery to take up to 4 hours. They'll be removing the last four disks from her spine and replacing them with bone grafts. She'll have Wednesday off - but probably won't be awake\aware. She'll go back in Thursday for the second stage of surgery, they'll be putting rods and screws along the langth of her spine. If all goes well they expect to release her by Sunday. And then the fun starts....
Keep her in your happy thoughts next week - she's gonna need it.
Thanks!
As things stand right now, Morgan will have her first stage of surgery on Tuesday, Jan.25- she goes in at 6am they expect surgery to take up to 4 hours. They'll be removing the last four disks from her spine and replacing them with bone grafts. She'll have Wednesday off - but probably won't be awake\aware. She'll go back in Thursday for the second stage of surgery, they'll be putting rods and screws along the langth of her spine. If all goes well they expect to release her by Sunday. And then the fun starts....
Keep her in your happy thoughts next week - she's gonna need it.
Thanks!
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