Ephesia's Hubby

[MaryandMian 1]

I got another email from her today. He was awake and using his morphene pump and had his eyes open and talking to her.

Lynne, once you talk to her I will look forward to your update.

Mary

[Ephesia 0]

Wow.

Becca, thank you for starting this thread and for praying.

I got a text message from Lynne earlier today about VJ and her prayer groups praying for us. My cell phone battery was on the brink of death so I wasn't sure if my reply managed to get to you, Lynne. Btw, I love your accent.

I spent my birthday yesterday worrying and praying for my sweetheart, Brandon. This very, very difficult morning for all of us in the family started at 5:30am, which was when he had to register. Brandon looked really bad from the pre-surgery prep stuff that he had to drink the night before. He was bent over from cramps and was very weak.

I had been able to keep my emotions mostly under control for the better half of this week because I didn't want him to worry about me. The moment the nurse pushed Brandon into the operating room, I turned to his mom and just let everything out. I cried and cried and cried. I think I cried so hard I almost ruined her shirt, lol. But when everything was out of my system, I felt a lot of peace.

His surgery lasted just under 5 hours, as promised by his surgeon. I gave him probably the hug of his dear life right after he announced, "Everything went great." Brandon was taken to his room 2 hours later, and I kept my promise of being the first one by his bed when he opened his eyes.

Today he looked A LOT better. He was still a little doped up, but he managed to sit up on his own really slowly. He even managed to get out of bed to take three very tiny steps to a chair to sit down. He's in a lot of pain understandably, because of how long the incision was. The osteomy bag that he has now is also kinda fascinating. He still isn't allowed any food or drink. They are draining phlegm from his lungs and want to keep the tube in for at least another day.

Brandon has been such a trooper. The funniest thing he said to me today was, "I can't feel my butt, hon." And the most gratifying thing he said was, "I've been through the hardest step. I can get through the rest of this."

I told him today MANY people around the world are still praying for him. I gave him the names of all of you. He smiled. Lynne, no words will ever be sufficient to tell you how grateful we are to you and your sisters for starting the prayer chains.

And deep thanks to all of you for being concerned even though we have never met one another in real life. In a few days' time I will print this thread out and let Brandon read it when he's home.

PS1. The hospital cafeteria needs to do a bit of work on their gravy for mashed potato.

PS2. Severe thunderstorms are really frightening when you have a doped up husband resting in a hospital across the street from your hotel.

PS3. Thank God for triple shot cappuccinos.

Love,

Elen

Edited April 16, 2006 by Ephesia

[Aymerlu 3]

Glad he came through the surgery ok. Wishing him a speedy recovery!

[Kajikit 65]

Many prayers for both of you sweety!

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

Wishing your hubby a speedy recovery. Thinking of you.

[rebeccajo 14]

*sending you an easter egg*

[Ladylethal 12]

That's good news that it all went well.

[Dixie_Peach 1]

Wow.

Becca, thank you for starting this thread and for praying.

I got a text message from Lynne earlier today about VJ and her prayer groups praying for us. My cell phone battery was on the brink of death so I wasn't sure if my reply managed to get to you, Lynne. Btw, I love your accent.

I spent my birthday yesterday worrying and praying for my sweetheart, Brandon. This very, very difficult morning for all of us in the family started at 5:30am, which was when he had to register. Brandon looked really bad from the pre-surgery prep stuff that he had to drink the night before. He was bent over from cramps and was very weak.

I had been able to keep my emotions mostly under control for the better half of this week because I didn't want him to worry about me. The moment the nurse pushed Brandon into the operating room, I turned to his mom and just let everything out. I cried and cried and cried. I think I cried so hard I almost ruined her shirt, lol. But when everything was out of my system, I felt a lot of peace.

His surgery lasted just under 5 hours, as promised by his surgeon. I gave him probably the hug of his dear life right after he announced, "Everything went great." Brandon was taken to his room 2 hours later, and I kept my promise of being the first one by his bed when he opened his eyes.

Today he looked A LOT better. He was still a little doped up, but he managed to sit up on his own really slowly. He even managed to get out of bed to take three very tiny steps to a chair to sit down. He's in a lot of pain understandably, because of how long the incision was. The osteomy bag that he has now is also kinda fascinating. He still isn't allowed any food or drink. They are draining phlegm from his lungs and want to keep the tube in for at least another day.

Brandon has been such a trooper. The funniest thing he said to me today was, "I can't feel my butt, hon." And the most gratifying thing he said was, "I've been through the hardest step. I can get through the rest of this."

I told him today MANY people around the world are still praying for him. I gave him the names of all of you. He smiled. Lynne, no words will ever be sufficient to tell you how grateful we are to you and your sisters for starting the prayer chains.

And deep thanks to all of you for being concerned even though we have never met one another in real life. In a few days' time I will print this thread out and let Brandon read it when he's home.

PS1. The hospital cafeteria needs to do a bit of work on their gravy for mashed potato.

PS2. Severe thunderstorms are really frightening when you have a doped up husband resting in a hospital across the street from your hotel.

PS3. Thank God for triple shot cappuccinos.

Love,

Elen

Elen... I just got your text message this morning... sometimes Alltel is crazy like that, to send me the message late.

I am soooooooooo happy that Brandon is recovering nicely. Understandable the pain he will have... but, we are continuing to pray that his pain will become minimal quickly... and that he will heal quickly.

Sweetie, you don't have to thank us for praying... we are so happy to do so. It is a blessing to us to do that for you...

Tell Brandon that we look forward to continued good health and recovery...

I want to say this to you and to Brandon... I sooooooooo look forward to getting to know you both. Please know that anytime you need someone to listen... someone to lift you up... someone to pray for ya... that I am always here...

I truly wish you the best in life. You are a blessing to me, Elen... and I thank God for bringing you into my journey.

Blessings and lots of love to you and Brandon!

*huge hugs*

Lynne

[Meriem_DZ 37]

Glad his surgery went well. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

Meriem

[Ephesia 0]

Yay, thanks for the easter egg, Becca!

Brandon is now getting acutely aware of different points of pain. He's also already his usual restless self. I've only been here 2 hours but he's already asked his nurse three times when they will remove the tube from his nose. lol. The tube is important for draining out all the bad stuff from his stomach, but it's hurting his throat.

He also sat for an extra three minutes in the chair today. But his butt was so sore he wanted back in the bed. So he's sleeping now. We will get to see his doctor this afternoon. They are going to check his stitches and determine when they can "un-tube" him.

I thank God for each of you. God bless you all richly.

Love,

Elen

[Dixie_Peach 1]

Yay, thanks for the easter egg, Becca!

Brandon is now getting acutely aware of different points of pain. He's also already his usual restless self. I've only been here 2 hours but he's already asked his nurse three times when they will remove the tube from his nose. lol. The tube is important for draining out all the bad stuff from his stomach, but it's hurting his throat.

He also sat for an extra three minutes in the chair today. But his butt was so sore he wanted back in the bed. So he's sleeping now. We will get to see his doctor this afternoon. They are going to check his stitches and determine when they can "un-tube" him.

I thank God for each of you. God bless you all richly.

Love,

Elen

lol... poor guy!!! God bless him! It means he is getting back to normal as quickly as his body will heal...

elen... i am not sure, you could probably ask gimygirl - i think i read she is a nurse... but, i think it is good that he is beginning to recognize the points of pain... it means that everything is falling back to normal...

please keep us posted on Brandon's recovery process... each extension is a step towards improvement... (ie: sitting for an extra 3 mins, etc...)

the prayer warriors will be soooooooo thrilled to hear this news!

*hugs*

May you and Brandond have a wonderful Easter together.

Love ya chick!

Lynne

[MaryandMian 1]

Elen thanks for the update. I am glad to hear that he is getting up and moving around and is getting ornary so to speak. All are good signs. I hope you can have an enjoyable day with him and wishing you both a nice easter.

Love,

Mary

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery and you the strength to help him recover.

[Fandango 1,440]

Ellen, so very happy to hear he came through ok...now while you're taking care of him, please don't forget to take care of yourself as well!

Keeping you both in our prayers!!!!

Lisa & David

[Ephesia 0]

I took good care of myself this evening, Lisa, no worries! Room mate picked me up from the hospital and asked me if I wanna go hang out at a good buddy's home. So off we went and played board games. Then I ran in the rain for a bit before I decided it was getting too cold to continue being silly like that.

Brandon was also "un-tubed" this afternoon! He kinda did a gentle jiggle in bed when his surgeon came by to check in on him and OK-ed removing the tube. He was so happy he kept touching his nose and giving me the thumbs-up sign after the nurse removed the tube. His catheter will be removed tomorrow. The surgeon also said he can start on liquids and Jell-O tomorrow, and then solid food from Tue onwards. An osteomy nurse is also going to show him how to change the bag.

He is continuing to look better and better. He even told me the incision wound on his abdomen doesn't hurt as much anymore. He's now uncomfortable from the wound on his butt. The doctor promised him the pain will gradually die down over the next few days. We will also know on Thu how soon Brandon can be discharged. It all depends on how well he continues to do over the next few days.

Brandon got A LOT of visitors today, which was kinda neat. His mom smuggled me some Easter bunny chocolate but made me promise to leave Brandon some. Shucks.

I won't be spending as much time at the hospital from tomorrow onwards. It'll just be a few hours tomorrow, and then just for an hour each evening after work for the rest of the week. Need to get caught up on housework and get some unwinding time. I also want to start looking around our house to see what needs to be done to make it more friendly for Brandon in his first few weeks home. Besides, Brandon is in good hands - God's and the hospital staff's.

Thank you all again for your continued concern and prayers. Off to bed I go.

Blessings,

Elen