I realize that the tone of my account of the past few days differs quite a lot from that of my parents', but this fact just shows once again that we all experience the world differently. It also clearly demonstrates the fact that I am on drugs.
Considering the intensity of the surgery I just went through, I would say that the past few days have gone stunningly well. While it did take too long to find the right combination and dosage of painkillers so that I could be comfortable, ANY time at all would have been too long: pain just sucks for everyone involved, there's no way to gloss over it. In some ways it might be worse for the caregivers than the patient, when the patient doesn't feel any guilt for not being able to make it better, and when he often doesn't remember most of the pain anyway.
Same with the Fever of Unknown Origin. It definitely sucks to be soaking through pillowcase after pillowcase, but while they have to watch me moan, I get to have some pretty amazing hallucinations and other extra-ordinary experiences. For instance, I recently had the pleasure of serving as a medium via whom the spirits of some close family friends communed with their respective recently-deceased relatives. Now folks, all I am saying here is that's what it felt like when I woke up, but nonetheless, it was a pretty interesting experience that I'll bet made my afternoon quite different from everyone else's.
Personally, I think that it's the previously-diagnosed minor pneumonia that is causing the fevers, and that the antibiotics that I am already on will shortly eliminate this worry. In the meantime, my body is bouncing back amazingly well from an incredibly extensive surgery, especially considering that I just lost my spleen, which while not strictly necessary, would under normal circumstances be participating in the current fight with this minor pneumonia, a not-uncommon post-surgical outcome. I am in negligible pain with the help of a relatively small dose of long-acting Oxycontin, with no need so far to take the available fast-acting painkiller. I walked about a mile and a half today, absolutely smoking the competition, if I do say so myself. My cough has disappeared, I am up to 2750ml on the Inspirometer, am enjoying normal food, had a real bowel movement, and spent the day alert and chatting with old friends.
Today was an amazingly good day. Tomorrow will be even better!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hooray! All my love. xoxo
ReplyDeletehave i ever been so happy to hear from you? i think not ;o)
ReplyDeleteall the best
cxx
I'll correct a former post...THATS what I'm talking about!! (Now,Not that other time...)
ReplyDeleteGood days to great days- perfect ones are on the way!
Love- The Southern Contingent
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJosh,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you and that you are so upbeat; you are one tough guy!!
Cheers,
Svend
Josh,
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen you since you graduated from Gunn but my daughter Marlene (Cohen) has been keeping me up to date. I want you and your parents to know that good thoughts are coming your way from northern Virginia. I hope to hear good things.
Best wishes,
Fran Pfeffer
Way to go Josh!
ReplyDeleteWow Josh! Good to hear from you. You have and amazing spirit and are doing fantastically well. Your insight into the dynamic of divergent perception of patient and caregiver is right on. Keep up the good work, your perspective, and your sense of humor - these are all good medicine. Much, much, much love, Andrea
ReplyDeleteGo Josh, Go! It is sooooo great to hear from you. Big loves, Leigh and Mia
ReplyDelete