Saturday, August 13, 2005

Good News!

Maryan came through the surgery just fine, in fact within about 30 minutes of them wheeling her into the room she was asking what she had to do to go home!

She’s dealing with some post-op discomfort, but, as far as I can tell, (and from what she’s said) the pain now is substantially less than she had before surgery.

As I was waiting for her surgery to be completed, I found myself thinking about medical care today. Ten or fifteen years ago my friend Larry had a cervical fusion similar to the ones I had a couple of years ago. His surgery lasted a couple of hours or more, the bone graft came from his hip, and he was in the hospital for nearly a week.

Today, well yesterday, Maryan was in, and out of the OR in under an hour an a half, up in her room within the next hour, and on her way home within five and a half hours of the start of the surgery!

So, here we are, a complicated neurosurgical procedure now takes less time than the average brake job, and the patient is on their way home about as fast as the owner would be picking up the car!

I’m more than a little amazed. I’ve been giving 1st hand witness to the changes in the computer industry in terms of speed and performance, but had never really thought about the changes and improvements in medicine. I don’t know why this all didn’t strike me after my surgery, but it sure hit me square in the eyes yesterday!

Sure, bringing her home so soon after a procedure like that is a little scary, I found myself worrying about a car accident for the first time in decades, as she was in a pretty delicate condition. However, having her home, where I knew she’d get what ever she needed, was far better than being here and wondering if her needs were being attended to. (After her hysterectomy the night shift folks were a little less than ‘helpful’)

Anyway, that’s my thought this morning, after a late night and early morning… maybe I’ll have more to say later, maybe not!

I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to write a comment letting me know you were thinking of us, and wishing her well. It’s funny, but, in some ways this ‘blogging’ thing makes me feel close to all of you, and knowing you’re out there, and care, is a nice feeling for sure!

So, all in all, we had a successful day yesterday. She’s feeling better this morning than she was last night. She’s able to walk around with less and less pain by the hour…. And… the pain she’s having is from the surgery and distinctly different than what she was feeling before surgery.

So, thanks again for all the thoughts and well wishes… each of them was greatly appreciated!!

9 comments:

Beth said...

The first blog I read today has this great news. I'm so happy to read it! Hurray!

Nina said...

That is great to hear. Being married to a doctor I can attest that medical care has changed a lot.

Bill said...

GK - Thanks... I'll be real happy to be returning to other topics very soon... and to have her back at 100% as well!

Nanina - Thanks... And you know, I think, mostly for the better! I sometimes long for the days when Doctors made 'Housecalls', but, like most things efficiency wins in the long run!

Trevor Record said...

I'm glad that Maryan is doing well. Medical care has changed a lot over the years, but that's only natural; there's money to be made in medicine!

Whitney said...

So glad that Maryan is on the fast lane to recovery. Sounds like she has the best nurse around (you) and that she has her mind set on putting this behind her! I am so glad to read the good news!

Take care...
Whit

Patrick M. Tracy said...

Bill,

Excellent news about Maryan's successful surgery. Medicine is pretty amazing today. Things that weren't possible 15 years ago are now a matter of course. There's still a lot wrong with the way we take care of ourselves, but that's a seperate issue.

Anyway, thanks for letting us into this part of your life. I was just saying to someone yesterday that this little community of bloggers can be a source of a lot of support. The invisible connections between people make this big and impersonal world seem less so.

Spirit Of Owl said...

Excellent news! Hopefully the recovery goes just as smoothly and all will be well in no time at all. :D

Risu said...

I just found out about your wife's surgery, but I'm glad to hear that she is doing well- most excellent news!

Bill said...

Trevor - Thanks! It is a sad testament to our world where the only real advances are where there's money to be made... but then again... that is capitalism after all.

Ken - Thanks, I always enjoy your work, it often takes me from the reality of the moment, when I need it!! So you're welcome, and thank you!

Whit - Thanks, I'm not a nurse, I only play one at times... I wish I was better at it, but glad I don't get enough practice to get better!

Firehawk - Thanks, me too! The connections that are possible as a result of 'cyberspace' are always amazing to me. I'm just glad they're there.

Spirit - Thank you! So far so good, She was moving around noticably better last night, and slept through the night for the first time in ages!

Braleigh - Thanks! She's almost well enough to get the 'honey-do' list out soon! And... welcome back!