Big Surprise... Shirley Is Not Very Patient

Mom is continuing with the process of healing from her surgery. It is so hard to believe that it will be only one month tomorrow. You know how it is I am sure; some months fly by and others creep along ~ this has been a bit longer than most. Mom's heart is doing great! Apparently the repairs were successful.. however, she is still battling a couple of post operative issues. We know, "this is normal", "part of the process", but Mom isn't known for lying about being a 'Cleopatra' as one of her friends recently suggested she become. That vision really gave us all a laugh. Can you imagine us waving frond's to fan her and Dad peeling grapes for her? Ok, Dad would probably peel grapes for her.. but the rest of it is pretty much not going to happen. The fluid they drained just before she was discharged had returned, and while Dr D kept watching it; it just wouldn't go away on its own. There is only so much Lasix can do! Yesterday she had another Thorocentesis (where they go in and 'tap' your chest to remove fluid from around your lung). That should help immensely with her breathing and comfort. It was an all day event. Literally. Mom and Dad were at Baptist East ambulatory at 6:00am and Mom had nothing to eat or drink after midnight... ugh; no coffee.. They were taken to a room around mid morning where they waited, and waited, and waited for her procedure. Dad said the waiting room was packed at 6:00 and his theory is that everyone is told to come in at the same time. Mom's procedure was at 2:30 and took about 20 minutes. They weren't exactly 'happy campers'. Then Mom had to stay for and hour and a half for observation. The good news is they took care of the problem. At Mom's most recent doctor visit Dr D, he announced that she could go off of oxygen except while walking. That is great news, just a bit hard to give up after being on it for almost a month. She is using it to sleep and while walking outside.. four times a day! She said that after being at Baptist East for 8 hours yesterday, not wearing it and still having a 94! pulse oxygen reading she was ready to sleep without it. Just a couple of weeks ago she was barely at 82.. great progress. It looks like pretty soon they can return the oxygen machine all together. One other small problem they are still battling is an infection at her primary incision site. They are trying one more oral antibiotic before taking the next step. Mom said yesterday (after 4 doses of this new antibiotic) that she thought it might be looking a little better. Fingers Crossed..
Other than Mom being very impatient about the healing process, she is really doing great. I know we have all been very blessed through all of this...thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Happy Easter everyone!
 Cheryl 
*Photos other than those taken in Cleveland are provided by granddaughter Katie.