Sunday, September 26, 2010

Rambling Update and the Power of a Hug

Isaac came through his surgery well.  They did seem to dope him excessively though.  He was far more spacey when we were allowed to see him this time than when he had the knee surgery back in May.  In fact, he remembers several details from the OR and recovery when he had his knee surgery.  He remembers NOTHING from the hand surgery.  All he knows is they wheeled him toward the OR and the next thing he recalls is waking up on our couch at home.  I can testify to the fact that he ate, drank, peed, walked, got dressed (ok, I saw to that part and it was like dressing a 6 foot rag doll), and engaged in conversation, albeit far less than rational conversation, all before being discharged to home.  I think they gave this kid enough drugs to knock out a Clydesdale.

There were several amusing exchanges, one centered on his desire for a hoagie with ham...ham...more ham, cheese, lettuce, and O's.  He was quite insistent on the O's being included.  O's were a very important ingredient.  Your guess is as good as mine as to what O's are. I opted for OniOns and banana peppers since they resembled O's. When I poured my son into the front seat of the car and got on the highway he wanted to know where we were going, why there were so many cars around, and....why was it windy inside the car.  Yessiree, he was waaaaay out of it.  Now we can share the experiences of being stoned out of our minds after hand surgery....well sorta, I actually remember being wasted.  His wastage is just a big blackout.

As for Calypso, she continues to have a rough go of it.  Her recovery seems to be a case of two steps forward and one step back.  It's been frustrating for her and hard for me to watch her unhappiness as her energy is sapped, her social life is nearly nil, and as she perseveres in trying to get through her senior year.  The nature of her illness and multiple complications has isolated her on several levels and for such a social girl it's been disheartening.  Some of the isolation has been necessary, some of it has been imposed by people reacting in fear or revulsion at some of the obvious lingering aftereffects.  This weekend she shared how painful the isolation has been.  Through the tears she also shared how much it meant when one true friend was willing to hug her publicly.  I encouraged her to hold kindnesses like that close in her heart to get her through the bad days and let it build a compassion in her for other people who are hurting when she is in better  health.

And with that I will say thanks to those of you who have extended the kindness of prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts or words of encouragement in the last few weeks. I wish I could give each of you a real hug.  This video will have to do until such time as circumstance allows me to deliver one personally.





14 comments:

G-Man said...

(((((BIGHUGGGGG)))))

clean and crazy said...

big hug, ditto what gman said. i know it helps.

~Tim said...

Still sending positive energy your way. And accepting virtual hugs.

Dave said...

Michelle, Isaac's reaction to the drugs was funny. I can relate to it. So sorry for Calypso. Our thoughts are with her and wish for her improving health in God's time. Thanks for the Hugs video. Enjoyed it. Most people appreciate a genuine hug any time. - Dave

Bijoux said...

Really hoping that Calypso gains some rapid improvement health-wise.

Anonymous said...

What G-man said.

- Jazz

Commander Zaius said...

I hate to say it but I was quite happy with the drugs they gave me before they removed my wisdom teeth a couple of years ago.

My experience was pretty much the same as Isaac's hand surgery. I remember my toes feeling tingly and warm when they started the IV, after that I was home with my wife upset with me. She told me what I did and it wasn't good.

Still sending prayers your way, especially for Calypso.

Craig said...

{{{hugs}}} to all the Limes. . .

(cute vid, btw)

Too bad you didn't videotape Isaac; you could have another 'David After Dentist' viral hit. . .

And my heart goes out to Calypso. I had a round of mono (or something like it) several years ago, when I was working on contract and really couldn't afford to take time off work, so for a good solid month it was work, sleep, work, sleep, and darned little else. . .

But, you know, it is good to find out who your real, true, rock-bottom friends are (even if there aren't as many of 'em as you might wish. . .)

Cricket said...

Still keeping you and yours in my prayers. hope you all turn a corner soon.

Where can I get enough drugs to knock out a Clydesdale?

S said...

LOL did you make your own "David after Dentist" vid?

I wont ever forget the first and only time (so far) that LR discovered happy gas at the dentist.
She said to us, " actually this is kind of fun"
The dentist and I looked at each other with that "oh no, another child discovers getting high" look.
Maybe the pain meds were needed cuz the surgery was so serious?
Maybe the anethesiologist was a stoner?
:P
I hope your kids are feeling better soon. I saw a thing about the Hershey spa the other day, and I thought, Lime could sure use another visit there!

Shrinky said...

Oh my, sounds like you could use some big hugs too. I sure hope your babies continue to recover - one thing I am certain of, is of how much they are deeply loved by their mother. ((x))

Suldog said...

Well, I've had a hug from you in the not-too-distant past, and it was swell. I'll take another someday, of course! More prayer being added as this posts.

Anonymous said...

wow..bartles & james...there's a blast from the past...all those flavored wine coolers....
tell zak that now he knows what it's like to be jerry garcia...
will keep the good thoughts for calypso...

secret agent woman said...

That's weird, I swear I commented. SO I'm sending a duplicate hug.