The Day After

Well its been two days actually since mum has had her fourth operation. All went well and she recovered quite well. She has been handed over to the Vascular team which have given her positive news.

The Orthopedic surgeon told her that because of the infection she could lose her big toe - hence the reason for taking her into theatre to clean and wash the bone and the surrounding area. This was not great news and mum did not take it too well - as you know it is the big toe that gives you your balance -well helps you with it anyways...

However they have now finished with her and handed her over to the Vascular team - they are happy with the progress and advised that there is no reason she can't keep her toe. They have now given her stronger antibiotics to totally get rid of the infection. The only thing is - she reacts very badly to the antibiotics and has also been eating very little.

Last night when I went to visit her she looked great - she was sitting up and bright as bright can be. Dad was there with my two girls and they were all joking and laughing - this really made my heart sing...after Mal came and took the girls home and dad left - all the commotion died down - mum and i sat together for our daily chat - help her with dinner - try to make her eat and get her settled in for the evening. As I work fulltime I have been going after work and stay with her from 6-8pm most nights - our time together has been special.

Last night was the first night where I didn't have to try to cheer her up - we just sat together flicking through magazines - just like the old days - no need to talk.....sigh....

I know its just for a season and it won't be long now before she gets home - they are saying perhaps another week. She has been in hospital nearly four weeks now...

Gone to Theatre

After 5 days of waiting to go into Theatre mum has finally gone in about half an hour ago. This will be her fourth operation and it has been very emotionally draining for her.

Monday has been her worst day so far - she was so looking forward to coming home only to be told she could be there a couple more weeks. With the fact of "you are going to into theatre" and Nil By Mouth all day and then 12am being told "oh sorry it has been cancelled" - then she has been given something to eat only to throw it up (oohh too much info). This has gone on for the last 5 days.

She is a strong woman with lots of faith and has appreciated everyones prayers - she has recieved many cards, flowers, gifts and lots of visitors - this has kept her going and boosted her spirit.

Will let you know how she went - but the people in her ward are the funniest. I try to make jokes about them or the nursing staff or the cleaners to make her laugh.

They have this really good hand cleanser made by Johnson & Johnson and because the nursing staff are so busy half the time I'm helping the other patients in and out of bed - getting them to the toilet on time, helping them with their meals - so I'm constantly washing my hands (paranoid about germs).

I have to make a confession - I'm addicted to the hand cleanser......

Sick Leave

Hi all,

Haven't posted for a while due to being on Sick Leave - well thats my excuse anyhow...

My mum has been in hospital coming into 3 weeks now with an infected toe that went into the bone of her foot in three seperate places. She is a diabetic so this has been treated as urgent and has undergone 3 operations to date to clean out the infection.

Today she is awaiting her fourth operation today - and it is the waiting that really gets to her. She has had many people praying for her and I've been visiting her on a daily basis as with the rest of my family. I would appreciate all your prayers for her as it is extremely difficult being in pain, reacting to the antibiotics and the patients that she is surrounded by (a lot of pysch patients have been admitted in her area and she has to keep an eye out for them) - but that is a story for another day.

Will keep you updated...