DAY ONE POST SURGERY UPDATE

So...the plan was to give my last final at work and head up to the hospital to spend time with Amy.  The plan worked perfectly until I was informed that a text had gone through the friend circle that Amy Jo wasn't up to having visitors today.  I was halfway there and my heart was racing and stomach churning.  What was wrong and had there been a setback?  Well...kind of, but not really.

I did a gut check and decided to go ahead to the hospital.  25 years of close friendship won out over common sense and I figured I could just leave in a few minutes if she wasn't up to seeing my face today.  When I got there around 4:00 she was sound asleep so I snuck in quietly but she woke up right away.  Turns out she was really happy to see me and we just talked quietly in the dark for a while.

Amy had a very hard night last night.  She was in a great deal of pain, apparently the staff didn't really encourage her to stay on top of it, and sister Aaron had to come to the rescue.  I'm going to make a comment about that:  NO ONE should have to beg for pain medication right after surgery!  Thankfully, she had an advocate there that night, her sister, Aaron.  Aaron basically got no sleep at all trying to keep Amy comfortable and get her enough medication to keep her pain under control.  I was pretty pissed when I found out, but I controlled my urge to go out into the hallway and scream at the staff.  I'm kind of patting myself on the back for that right now. Anyway, there is a medication plan in place now. They have even offered her an IV pump if she wants it, but thus far she has turned it down.  She has a double whammy because pain meds make her nauseous.  Rotten quandary...meds for the pain, and meds for the nausea.  Thankfully, Amy will have an advocate staying with her tonight, her friend from work, Megan, so Aaron can get some rest.

Another minor setback is that Amy will probably stay in hospital until Monday.  Last time she was out in two days, but she feels much worse this time (which Dr. Surgeon said was normal).  Since St. Luke's is an "out of network" hospital, each day will cost her an additional $300.00 out of pocket.  I almost cried when I heard that. Safe to say that there are very few neurosurgeons in KC and Amy had no choice but to use St. Luke's but her insurance company isn't bending.  She pays the extra co-pays and they are huge.  Her Dad, Dr. Nolan Carlson (I have this guy on a pedestal...he is amazing) told her he would pay the bill and to stay as long as she needed to.  What a guy.

Amy was definitely weak and tired.  Light hurts her eyes and loud noises and chaos bother her.  Her head is swathed in bandages and her face is swollen. STILL she is trying to get the nurses to laugh.  When they ask her how she feels, she responds with "I have a splitting headache."  She finds this hilarious since her head has been split in two and sewn back together.  I found it hilarious too. She says the nurses just look at her funny.  She's up and around and able to go to the bathroom by herself.  She was still in a hospital gown, so I dug through her stuff to find some nightwear that wouldn't advertise the "full moon" (her words).  I found lots of papers, an I-pad, a little green frog and some tennis shoes.  No pajamas.  Not the greatest packing job, and knowing her well, I wasn't the least bit surprised.  I guess I know what I'll be bringing her tomorrow!

She sends her love to everyone and now it's just a waiting game.  Wish I had better news for everyone, but she still feels pretty bad.  Hopefully things will be better tomorrow.  Tumzilla is a shithead and I hate it.

Another update tomorrow....keep sending that positive energy!