Monday, June 1, 2009

Jodi is doing fine

I was just in the ICU with Jodi and she’s doing very well considering she just had her second craniotomy in three weeks. She’s alert and seems to be doing well but keeps mumbling something about her head hurting…

They reopened her original incision and according to the doctor they believe the leak was occurring in some “air pockets” around the scull base which they sealed with “bone wax”, some fat taken from Jodi’s hip and some special glue. Because of the location they ended up not needing to use muscle from Jodi’s leg, which is good since we were warned that would be the worst part of the recovery. They have inserted a lumbar drain again but won’t use it unless they need to.

The plan is for Jodi to stay in the ICU until sometime tomorrow and if she is doing well then move her back to her original room in the Neuro Acute Care unit. If they have indeed stopped the leak and all looks good Jodi may be able to come home as soon as Friday. For some reason they don’t allow visitors in the ICU between 7pm and 8:30pm and despite my efforts to hide in Jodi’s room a big burly female nurse found me hiding behind the curtains and kicked me out. So... I’m typing this post from Starbucks and will go back in at 8:30pm to check on her again.

Tolan

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

You should have hid in the shower. Glad surgery went so well and that Jodi is doing fine. Wendy T.

Josh and Melinda Adams Family said...

I am so glad and relieved she is doing well. Praying she will have a speedy and comfortable recovery.
Tolan, bless your heart for loving Jodi so much. They should let her husband stay in there as long as he wants!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jodi and Family,
Thanks for the updates. We're so glad that the surgery went well and hope the next few days go just as well. Just wanted to send you our love and wishes for a great recovery. Keep hanging in there!
Love,
The Tates

Anonymous said...

Dear Jodi and Tolan:

I have been checking your blog all day, wondering how Jodi managed thru her surgery and how all of you are doing. I was so glad to finally see an update, for some reason, you have all been on my mind much more so today, than other days. I have been saying lot's and lot's of prayers for you (and that is saying a lot from someone who isn't very prayerful, and not very good at it!!!) Gosh, we can't wait to see your smiling faces back in the neighborhood!!!! Please know that we think of you 24/7 and hope for a return home soon!! Much love to all of you!!! Cindy and Mark Taylor

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure "Doing fine" is a phrase Jodi might use, but thanks for the update anyway Tolan. We have worried about you all day today Jodi. I'm glad that things went as planned and we will pray for smoothe road ahead.....no more set-backs. Hope both of you can get some well needed rest tonight. We'll check in again in the morning. Love, the Eastman's

Randy and Ann Allred said...

Hurrah for plugging the leak!
That is wonderful news. We'll continue to pray for her quick re-recovery.

Flints Facts said...

I am glad she is doing well and I hope you both can get some sleep tonight (as much as they let you there in the hospital) I continue to pray for a smooth recovery. Thanks again Tolan for keeping us all updated.

Anonymous said...

So Glad to hear that you are doing well. We too are praying for a comfortable recovery. We keep you in our prayers daily, and we hope that the worst is now behind you!
We just want you and your family to know that we love you all.
Deanne, Steve and family

Jodi said...

Geez Tolan dont you think you could have taken that nurse!! So glad to know that all went well with the surgery and that she is doing well. We will continue to keep Jodi, you and your family in our prayers!
Love Jared and Jodi Howell and family

Anonymous said...

Hallelujah!!!!! Tolan, great update! What an answer to prayers! We hope and pray it will be a speedy recovery and Jodi will be home by the time we return from youth conference.
Take care!
James A.

Cynthia Fuller said...

Jodi we are so relieved and happy you are doing better! We love you and pray for you constantly!
Tolan, I have some extra scrubs that might fit you so you can 'blend' in...then maybe they won't kick you out next time... however, they are pink with rainbows and carebears... :D Stay strong and hang in there Jodi!
Love,
Cynthia, Joe and Sofie

Karen Liu said...

Hooray and huzzah! As Dory from 'Finding Nemo' says, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..." Hang in there, Jodi! Liu

Jeff DuBois said...

Awesome! Glad she dodged another bullet with the fat graft from her hip having been adequate.

Anonymous said...

What great news! A little break at Starbuck's is probably a good thing for you, Tolan. Jodi. home is in sight!

bishop howell said...

Next time, put on a pair of scrubs and a wig and then you can be the burley nurse. Tolan and Jodi, hang in there. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Jared

Anonymous said...

I have been so worried...good to hear that the leak is plugged... hope it stops the headaches. Hope you can feel our love and concern for you all.
Seriously have been thinking of you and wishing you the best night rest tonight! Hang in there! Els and family