Friday, May 29, 2009

Hospital Stay - Day 17 - Sodium Infusion - What fun!

Last night ended up pretty well after a difficult start to the day yesterday. Jodi went to bed looking forward to a long restful night's sleep. Is that even possible in a hospital? The answer is definitively, "NO!!!" So at 1:00 a.m. the nurse came in with 'wonderful' news. "Jodi" she said, "The doctors are concerned because your sodium level is low. We have been instructed to give you a sodium infusion."

Hey, folks, do you know what a sodium infusion is? Do you know how its done? Well, the nurse takes a gigantic needle for an IV and tries 5 times to get it into a vein, causing some pretty remarkable spikes in the pain level in the process. The needle needs to be so big, because the sodium compound that is inserted through the IV is a thick and gritty substance that can't fit through a normal IV. After the insertion of this huge needle the solution begins to flow slowly and creates a dramatic burning session in the arm that feels more like fire than an IV intended to be of help.

That process lasted about an hour until 2:30 a.m. The nurses left and Jodi tried to get back to sleep only to have the nurses return at 4:00 a.m. to check her vitals. Then at 4:30 a.m. a guy came in to take a blood sample to determine if her sodium level was back to where it needed to be. Then at 6:00 a.m. a nurse came in with three salt tablets and four other medications that Jodi had to take. The salt pills created a strong feeling of nausea and the desire to expel it all.

About 6:30 a.m. the doctors came by on their normal daily round. Jodi asked about the sodium infusion and none of them knew who ordered it, but they promised to find out...simply amazing!!!

So it wasn't a fun night. Still Jodi is feeling pretty good right now despite it all.

Today's nurse is the sister of Jodi and Tolan's bishop. That's kind of cool.

At the moment Jodi is reading the newspaper trying to catch up on what's going on in the outside world (see the picture below). We think it is going to be a good day!

By the way, Jodi loved hearing all the comments on the blog from yesterday. Thanks again for helping to keep her spirits up. It's working!

10 comments:

Carol Liptrot said...

Good Morning! You look great in the picture. It is nice to see you doing so well. I hope you're done with the "Sodium", that sounds like a horrible thing to do to you, let alone in the middle of the night! As far as reading the paper, I would definately skip too much of the news and go straight to the funnies! Speaking of which, you look like you are ready for some humor and I received the funniest email and I want to share it with you. So....
Aging Aunt Mildred was a 93-year-old woman who was particularly despondent over the recent death of her husband. She decided that she would just kill herself and join him in death. Thinking that it would be best to get it over with quickly, she took out his old Army pistol and made the decision to shoot herself in the heart, since it was badly broken in the first place. Not wanting to miss the vital organ and become a vegetable and a burden to someone, she called her doctor's office to inquire as to just exactly where the heart would be on a woman. The doctor said, 'Your heart would be just below your left breast'.
Later that night........ Mildred was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her knee.
Now I hope that is your laugh for the day. Have a great day!
Love, Carol

Deb said...

We just got back from the kid's 5K at school. We secretly dedicated the run to you. Tyler even ran the whole thing! For a kid who usually gets beat by all the girls I was pretty impressed. Brandon may have some hope after all. :)

Hope after enduring all the sodium treatments it will be just what you needed to do the trick and get things fixed up for you. We've been praying and fasting that you get whatever it is that you need to get better and get home. Hang in there. We love you!

We're planning on taking the kids for you guys tonight for an end of the school year sleep over, but I can't get anyone at your house, so just let us know where and when to get them. We're excited about it!

Take care. We love you.

The Rhoads

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. Forget waterboarding terrorists. Give them sodium infusions.

Jodi, honestly you have to be a saint. I would be screaming and clobbering people, and maybe I would even spit and call them very bad names. It's true. Ask your dad.

God love you, get well.

Anonymous said...

What a NIGHT mare!!!
Today will be a good day! You'll see!!!
Love ya and keep that beautiful smile a comin'.!!
Love Belinda xox

Shauna F. said...

Hi Jodi,
My husband Jon and I met your uncle and aunt (Ef and Lois) a couple of years ago while on a trip in Europe. We were with the same tour group, and grew to love the Orgills very much. It was Ef who sent us your blog site, knowing that we would want to show love and support for his family.We can certainly do that and will keep you in our prayers. I will call the Sacramento Temple and put your name on the rolls there.
We live in Orangevale, CA ( a suburb of Sacramento) but we are transplanted Utahns. We came here 25 years ago and have loved it and stayed. We have children, grandchildren and parents in Utah, so we keep the planes in business and the roads hot between here and there:)
I have read your blog and can feel the love and support that you are receiving from your family, friends, ward family and strangers like me. What would we ever do without those we love and love us? The Lord is really blessing you with strength to endure isn't he? I pray that you will be home soon, where you can really begin to feel better.
The sodium adventure was unbelievable. I hope that you have a bright day today and can get some rest after the night you put in last night!
Today is supposed to be in the nineties here- just the way I like it:)
Love to you and all of your family,
Shauna and Jon Fish

Cami said...

What a painful process to have to go through. Hopefully it works. Thinking of you always. Love you
Cami

Jeff DuBois said...

You've got to love how our medical profession works, right? Sometimes seems like the right hand has no idea what the left hand is doing. Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful that we have access to some of the best medical facilities and professionals in the world. It's a luxury that many in this world don't enjoy.

But doesn't it seem a bit counter intuitive to keep Jodi in the hospital for several more days, to the tune of thousands of dollars per day, simply to wait for the doctors to return to town? After all is said and done, I think the doctors should send you and the family to Hawaii for some much-needed R&R!

Keep up your spirits. I echo someone else who commented that this experience, although long and difficult right now, will soon be over, and will ultimately seem like a short-lived moment in the grand scheme of things.

Jeff-------

britt said...

OK so I left you left night thinking you were going to get a restful night sleep as well. I am so sorry that didn't happen and even more sorry for what you had to endure with all the sodium intakes. Do they not think sleep is important for you, or what???
Hang in there my friend and I pray for a better day/night today! Get some rest IF that is possible :)

Michelle said...

I am just shaking my head, Jodi. Whow! I hope that you really needed the sodium infusion! That sounded awful. You are a real trooper. I am having an onset of vertigo right now and thinking of you and reminding myself that it's not that bad. You are absolutely amazing! Hang in there, taking it one day at a time. Your family is amazing too. It is so touching to see the outpouring of love that surrounds you. Have a good day!
Love,
Michelle Bocchino

Anonymous said...

hey brown family...just wanted to let you know you are being thought of, and we know that you are being loved and taken care of by many guardian angels! Keith and i enjoyed playing with Daven in the nursery yesterday. He is such a cute miniature person! He is going to be a heartbreaker to many young lady in the future...his smile is just one of those mmmm yes what ever you want Daven kinds...ha!
Anyway ...just wanted to let you know...you are in our prayers as well... hang in there !