April 29, 2010

She feels better today and saw her assessment/physical therapist lady today. She is improved from before and the therapist hopes to get insurance approval to see Diana a few more times. The assessment of Diana is that the same problem can occur again from the COPD cough or from Diana lifting, moving and taxing herself too much. She needs to be CAREFUL for the rest of her life not to bring on another spinal cord injury. Later on today, she might make a pot of coffee to share with Jeralynn.

April 27, 2010

It's been a bad day for Diana because it was a bad Monday night. Her COPD cough kept her awake and in pain. Her neck is now more swollen and the pain is again ever present. Getting the breathing treatment meds took all day and arrived at 5 pm. She is not in a good mood despite being able to walk to the kitchen to make herself a pot of coffee the way she likes it. Please, no phone calls or visits until next week. Please remember to keep her in your prayers!

April 26, 2010

Diana sat in her jammies in the living room today. The medical assessment lady came by and rated her post surgery condition as 'poor'. This assessment was actually given now as a spinal cord injury due to the screw that was loosened and lodged on the nerve. Another assessment will be done on Thursday. It will take up to a year before we know the final baseline of Diana's recovery. The pain in her hips now is most likely due to the injury. She might accept phone calls on Wednesday but it depends on how she feels. Last night she did enjoy knowing her family was having a rousing good game of Monopoly.

April 25, 2010

Diana is home. Her parents from Florida are here to care for her. She is very, very tired and having trouble getting comfortable. Her room looks like she could open up a florist shop. Please give her a couple of days to adjust to life at home without the IV pain meds before you phone or ask to visit. She is so thankful for her family and friends.

April 23, 2010

Well, things are looking up for Lady Diana! Yesterday she was able to move around a lot more, and walked about 100 feet down the hallway. She is also able to move her shoulder a bit, and the pain is being much better managed by the medication. At this point, she is looking at possibly going home this Saturday!
Praise God for a successful surgery, and so far a blessed recovery stage!

April 22, 2010

Diana Underwood was doing better yesterday. Her shoulder is much improved and will not need treatment. Praise God!

She is still mostly bed bound. She walked part of the hallway, came back and rated her neck pain as a 7. She will take phone calls (Rm. 369) and will receive visitors for SHORT visits. She sends her greetings and smiles to you all. Please turn in your name tag after your visit. The hospital keeps the count and will not allow others in to see her if the tally chart shows folks are still there (Information was provided by Jeralynn Langton).

Please continue to pray for her healing and comfort.

April 22, 2010

Diana is doing better today. Her shoulder is much improved and will not need treatment. She is still mostly bed bound. She did walk part of the hallway but then came back and rated her neck pain as 7. She will take phone calls (room 369) and will receive visitors for SHORT visits. She sends her greetings and smiles to you all. A bouquet of tulips and a picture drawn by her grandson brighten her room.

April 20, 2010

Bad news: Diana is unable to have calls or visitors at least for today and tomorrow due to the pain, and is still suffering so much from her right shoulder. :(

Good news: The doctor approved a Nebulizer for her which has already greatly helped reduce coughing. Coughing was a huge problem; each cough shook her shoulder. So the Nebulizer is a great blessing!

Jeralynn was able to establish somewhat of a routine for the day/night for Diana....things like timing of pain medicine, changing bedding and clothes, etc.

Diana is also finally able to eat! Small amounts, but still a huge step.

And finally, she was fitted for a neck brace which has already been helpful in keeping her neck/shoulders immobilized.
:)

Victoria/Jeralynn for Diana

April 19, 2010

Diana's surgery was very successful this morning! She was under for three hours and 40 minutes, but emerged at 12:10 and the doctors are very pleased. She was blessed to have the same doctor as before operating. Another blessing was the fact that Barbara Wright's coworker was the operating nurse, and was very diligent about giving immediate updates. There was no second plate put in Diana's neck, which was what we wanted. Diana is doing well as far as what is expected post-surgery: she is able to breathe on her own but is using an oxygen tube. Her face is swollen because of the position she was in for the surgery, but the surgical site doesn't hurt very much.

Unfortunately, her right shoulder was badly wrenched at some point during the procedure and a main ligament was stretched. Her shoulder is in immense pain, and she is on both a morphine drip and vicodin.

She is keeping ice chips down, and the doctor is optimistic about the overall results.

Please pray that her shoulder will heal with supernatural speed, and that her pain will be better managed by what resources the doctors can offer.


Victoria/Jeralynn for Diana

April 14, 2010 ~ Weekly Update #62

One word... frustration!

Monday ~ Went in for my pre-op... things went well; including the x-ray that came back clear.

While I was there I asked for a couple more 'happy shots'; one for pain, one for nausea. At this point I was informed that I couldn't receive additional shots prior to surgery because these shots cause blood thinning. I was also told that the 6 - 8 Excedrin (daily) that I have been relying on to keep my headaches at bay wouldn't be permitted either as they too cause blood thinning.

I was once again reminded of the seriousness of this surgery and of the many complications that will most likely rear their heads either in a very minor or very severe way; both during and after surgery.

With all this knowledge the only thing I walked away with was knowing that I would be suffering from extreme headaches, with no relief until surgery.

The good news... I'm able to continue with Vicodin to cope with the chronic arm pain.

Bad news... by the time I went to bed I had begun coughing (caused by COPD).

Tuesday ~ Went to another doctor appointment... waited for an hour to see the doctor and worked myself up into a frenzy... this causing a ridiculous increase to the headache I already had.
The coughing increased and I began an increase in inhaler usage and nebulizer treatments.

Wednesday ~ Can I just say that I love my friend Jeralynn! She was going to call my doctor in the morning and inform her of the changes in my condition... instead she drove to the office to leave a handwritten note to make sure the doctor received the message.

The doctor called me back within about 2 hours... started on steroids and antibiotics, she also said that she may cancel the surgery.

Please pray that the COPD inflammation will reverse itself and the surgery can proceed as scheduled.

Bottom line, my Lord already knows whether this surgery will take place or not... no sense in my working myself up...

And finally, please tell Jeralynn thank you when you see her... she puts up with a great deal from me! Also, let Stephen (J's husband) know that you appreciate his supporting her in assisting me on a daily basis.

Love to all,

Diana

April 10, 2010 ~ Weekly Update #61

When my body cries out, "I am in pain"!

All I need do is look to Jesus and speak His name

As He sits and shares my pain; I quietly hear His voice speak my name and say. "Lo, I am with you always....".

I hope this entry will provide the information that many of you have asked for...

Date: April 19th

Time: I think surgery starts around 8:30am (but one never knows until it actually happens)

Surgery length: Estimation is between 5 - 10 hours

What will the surgery accomplish: Removal of the plate and three screws in the back of my neck, and dislodging and removal of the fourth screw in my spinal cord.

Where: Providence Holy Cross Hospital
15031 Rinaldi Street, Mission Hills, CA 91345
(818) 365 - 8051

Length of stay: Release date should be either Friday or Saturday

Am I nervous: Not at all... I'm counting the days and will soon be counting the hours

How will all of you be updated: A friend of mine will be entering an update on this blog every evening...

Prayer requests:
~ That surgery brings the healing that I am asking my Lord for and that the chronic pain will be gone
~ Coming off the ventilator will be easy (with the lung disease; my lungs may decide that they are more comfortable having the ventilator doing the work for them)
~ Sugars will be controlled, infection doesn't set in, and healing is without complications (due to diabetes)

Love to all,

Diana