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Saturday, October 15, 2011

That Ole Softee is a 5 Percenter

Well that old Softee is still in ICU in the hospital. So this is her husband, Dan, giving you an update.

Try as she might, Pam just can't get out of bed these days. Of course that fact that's she's in ICU and on a ventilator (respirator) has a LOT to do with that. She went into the hospital on Thursday to have a massive tumor removed from one of her ovaries and the rest of the baby-making plumbing removed too. Since our "babies" are all in their 30's now with no plans for anymore, that seemed the judicious choice under the conditions. We had been prepared by all the doctors she's seen that this tumor would most likely be malignant. At her "lofty old age of 60", we were told that cancer was about the only reason it would be of that size. So they said "95% chance this is cancer." Well, Pam is a 5%'er. It was benign, not cancer.

That was of course about the best news ever. Unfortunately from there, everything went downhill fast. As part of the surgery, they intubated her to control here respiration while she was under. At a certain point in recovery, they remove the intubation. When they did that, she had a respiratory failure. The oxygenation of her blood was sinking and her Co2 levels in the blood were rising dangerously fast. So they had to re-intubate her. When I was finally allowed to see her at about 8:30 PM that evening (her surgery was from 7:30-11:00 AM), she was awake, all tubed up and in a lot of pain. They were at the point where they couldn't give her anything more for the pain without causing more respiratory problems, even while on the ventilator. So she was hurting. Sometime around 9 PM, a room finally opened up in ICU and they transferred her up there. I left around 10 PM and she had a pretty tough night.

When I visited yesterday morning she was much more lucid and anxious to get the tubes out of her. She was breathing well on her own, the oxygenation of her blood was good and her Co2 blood levels were sinking quickly. She was mouthing instructions to me and even writing a few quick notes. It looked like she was going to get her wish. However, they couldn't detect any leakage of air around the breathing tube once they had removed the seal from the back of her mouth. That is a necessary precondition to removing the ventilator. The opening to the lungs needs to be bigger than the tube from the ventilator. If it's not, than the vocal chords or upper areas may be swollen and if they remove the tube, it could close shut and she wouldn't be able to breathe.

So, they left her on the ventilator again overnight and we'll see how she's doing this morning. All the other parameters had fallen into place, but they already re-intubated her once and they really don't want to do it a third time. Once they are able to get her off the ventilator, she should be able to move out of ICU and hopefully come home 2-3 days later. When I left her last night, she was resting fairly comfortably and in much better shape than the night before.

Remember when I said she was awake enough to write. One of the first things she wrote was "Blog?". I had promised to post an update on with her blog and hadn't done it yet. So now, I've done it and probably in more detail than what she really wanted. When she's well enough, she'll probably edit the heck out of this, but for the time being....this is where we're at.

Thanks to all for your prayers and well wishes. We are more than happy to be added to the prayers of all who have an inkling to do so. Hopefully that ole' Softee will be back soon.

Dan

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just fabulous news...so happy for you both!!!
Tell her to get well soon.
Hugs,
Patti :)

jenclair said...

I'm so glad she is a 5 percenter! Hope the other problems will be soon resolved. Good thoughts and prayers coming your way.

Anonymous said...

Prayers out to Pam. You're a good Hubby for posting on her blog for her..

moosecraft said...

Thank God the bud was not malignant! My dh went through the same thing with the ventilator after he had his appendix out... VERY scary! But, it all works out eventually... his was an adverse reaction to the anesthesia... once they calmed down his bronchial tubes with inhalers... they were able to take out the tube and all was well... healing thoughts being sent your way!

maddyrose said...

Thanks for the update Dan. I've been sending her all of the best wishes I can muster and am relieved to hear she's going to be alright.

Alice said...

We'll take whatever smidgen of good news you give us!! Now we'll wait for more!! Funny that she wanted you to blog ~ thinking of her friends even when she wasn't feeling too swell! Prayers continue and waiting for Pam to get on her feet!!! Take good care of you, too!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for the update Dan. Still sending wishes of wellness for Pam!

~ Deb

The Rusty Thimble said...

Dan sending much love, hugs, and prayers Pam's way!! And for you

So thrilled to hear she is a 5 percenter!! Great news!

Tell her she is missed and loved
She is such a great inspiration for so many! To get well soon, wishing her a speedy recovery without any more complications!!
Brenda

Rebecca said...

So glad to hear that the tumor was benign and she is doing better. Scary to read the rest of your post. Pam has been in my thoughts and prayers, she and her awesome little critters brighten up so many our our lives. Hope she gets well very soon!

Crafts From The Stash said...

Sending, love best wishes and a speedy recovery from across the miles.

xxxxx

WoolenSails said...

Dan,
Thank you for letting us know and I sure hope she is feeling better today. Continued prayers and love to Pam.

Debbie

Sylvia Smiser said...

Dan,
Thank you for the update. Carolee has been doing a good job keeping us in the know on FB too. I am still praying for her and will continue to do so until she is back to her old self, laughing and able to give the best hugs I've ever felt. I'm sure she has many people that love her pulling for her too!
Sylvia

Tracy of From Inside My Studio said...

I can see why you are beyond special to our gal. This update was perfect and I bet she won't change a thing. She has been in my constant prayers and thoughts. She is a trooper and will be back to her ol' self soon as rain.
I laughed that she wrote to update her blog! haha What a gal....it's no wonder she is special to so many hearts.
Quick healing and lots of love my friend! xoxoxoxox

Evelyn said...

Thanks for the post Dan. Good to hear she is coming along - will keep you all in my prayers.

Stacey said...

Dan, thanks so much for letting us all know how Pam is doing. Big hugs to you also~ it's quite tough to be beside the one that you love like this. When you see Pam, tell her I said..." Are you there yet"? Hopefully, by that time she will be there, with no ventilator and a regular room, not in ICU.
Hugs and much love to both of you~

Shortstuff

LuLu Kellogg said...

Thank you so much for giving us an update on Pam. Sending prayers and hugs for you both and hoping today she can get off the vent.

LuLu Kellogg

*Linda Pinda* said...

Thanks Dan! You're the BEST. But of course, Pam has already told us that :)

Our family is keeping her in our prayers. And we are very thankful she's a 5%-er!!!

Love,
Linda & Family

Theresa said...

Thank you so much for the update Dan...Pam has been in my thoughts often and I'm hoping she'll be able to come home soon. I'm so happy that Bud wasn't Cancer....I'm doing the happy dance. Sending both of you my love. :0)

Shirley Montague-Devine said...

Best to you. Still doing my curing dance for you. Having had surgery late in life I know it is possible to get better, then best and then keep getting better. My best to you.
Shirley Montague-Devine

ItsMeMom said...

I said she was a tough mouse! Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers and sending in some healing fairies!!! STAT!

ItsMeMom said...

p.s. Dan, thank you for the update.

Susan deGeneres said...

My prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery are with our favorite softee and those who love her best.

Big hugs,
Susan

cynthia said...

Dad,Thanks fo news on your Pam. Wow, she has been through so much..My continued prayers for her speedy recovery.Bjg hugs to both of you.. Cynthia

Flora said...

You can't keep a good and strong woman down ,how fortunate and very blessed she is to have the mass be cancer free, prayers to her and the entire family for a smooth recovery and less pain filled days.
Blessings,Flora

TheCrankyCrow said...

Thank you Dan for the update - Pam has been in my thoughts and my prayers and I was wondering, wondering. What wonderful news that the tumor was benign...Woo Hoo!!! But sorry to hear of the respiratory complications....She needs to get that tubing out soon so she can start doing her happy dance!! Will continue to keep her in my prayers till she's back to her wonderful ol Softee self! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Nancy Malay said...

I'm so happy to see an update from you, Dan! Hopefully, today will be even better. Tell Pam I send my love, and she's been in my thoughts and prayers. Nancy

Anonymous said...

Pam.....
You strong, wonderful fighter! I am sending you thoughts and prayers of love and strength.

~Kirsten, xo (Las Vegas)

Robin Armstrong Seeber said...

thanks so much for the update, what a trooper she is, and you beside her giving her strength!! give her a hug for me, and tell her she is in my thoughts and prayers every day!! will be looking forward to her sense of humor again... hugs to you too Dan, robin

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Sending good thoughts your way for peace, comfort and rapid recovery! ~*~Lisa

lynn said...

Hi Dan,

Thanks so very much for posting on Pam's blog for her. I have been checking lots to see if there was any update for or about her and was becoming concerned. So I am so relieved with the info and the GREAT news she is a 5%er. Yahooooeeee!! I told her I just new that damned ole Bud wasn't going to be a bad thing for her in the sense we all know it could have been. I will keep sending tons of hugs, winks, giggles, smiles, prayers and wishes for her to get off the ventilater fast and up and moving around. She doesn't seem like the type that lets much stop her anyway. LOL!!!! Please let her know I am thinking of her and can't wait to be typing back and forth with her soon. Oh yeah...I got my witch PODD today and I love her. She will be with all my other softee friends. Take good care of yourself too Dan.

Lynn :-)

A Magical Whimsy said...

Oh! Thank God! Dan for the update on Pam.
What a relief for her...now it is the recovery that will be a long process. They say six months to feel like yourself again.
Many prayers have gone up for her on this end.
hugs,
Teresa in California and in the Cloth and Clay doll ning since 2008

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Dear Pam and Dan,
My prayers and best wishes are with you both. It sounds like things are looking positive now, and I'm sorry you had to have that terrible scare and that night of unmangeable pain. Thank God the tumor was benign.
Warm Regards,
Susan

Kays Kids said...

I'm so, so glad the tumour wasn't malignant, although her trial of breathing do not sound nice. Lot more prayer for her are happening in the Land Down Under. Get Well and feel the love and peace we all send.
Hugs

Art by Susie Krichbaum said...

Prayers continue to flow your way.

Susie

Unknown said...

Big Prayers and love Pam! Recover quickly and many blessings to your family!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update Dan, can't even express how happy I am to here she was in the 5%. Now get better Pam and come on home <3 we miss you.

wendyswhimseys said...

Thank you so much Dan for letting us know how Pam is doing.She has been in my thoughts since she told us about Bud. Glad he is gone and that she is a 5% er. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
from a loyal Softee follower: wendyswhimseys in Canada
She is such an inspiration and we need her wonderful sense of humour to give us a good laugh!

Jan said...

Oh my gosh, that is just the GREATEST news ever about the tumor being benign. How awesome is that? God was certainly looking out for her. I feel so blessed to have her as a friend and now I know she will be my friend for a long time to come.
I wish my friend had as good news. Her cancer levels just doubled. She too had Ovarian cancer and had to go through so much. She is 65 and she was part of the 95%. ;-(
Please give Pam a big Hug gently from me.
Jan

yorkie's primitives said...

Dan I am so happy that the tumor was benign!! Sometimes patients can have reactions to the anesthetic that causes all these problems. Tell Softee that I will be praying for her to get well soon!! Give her prim hugs, Valerie

Peaceful Parallel said...

Good advice, lol! Sorry to hear of your terrible experience but hopefully all is OK now. all the very best to you both, Bethx

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Thanks Dan for keeping us posted.
I'm so glad to hear she is the 5%.
Sorry to hear about all the breathing problems she is having though and hopefully over comes that soon.
Prayers and thoughts are with you, hopefully you have a speedy recovery and get to come home soon.
Halloween is around the corner!
Take Care my Friend.
Prim Blessings
Robin

Angela Richardson said...

I think of Pam often through the day especially as I'm making mice at the moment. Please give her best wishes for a speady recovery and keep well Dan this must have been quite a haul for you.
Hugs and smiles, Angela.

BeFRuiTFuL KReaTioNS said...

Thank you so much Dan for updating us. Pam and you are in our thoughts and prayers. I am so glad to hear that her tumor was benign. I pray that the ventilator can be removed today and our Pam can come home very very soon. Big Hugs to you both. ♥♥

annie said...

Praise Him, she was not a statistic! Humbly asking for her to heal, regain her strength, and to give her continued help for the journey of restoration.

Mary Ann Tate said...

I'm sending little prayers that she gets off the ventilator soon. I hope she doesn't edit this post because you're just telling us like it is:)

Crane's Nest Creations said...

So relieved to hear she is doing well, Please deliver a message of love and prayers from all of us out here watching over her. We send love and light along with a speedy recovery

Anonymous said...

I will keep praying for You & Pam,,, thank you so much for the update! Take care of yourself too!
Sue

Lisa said...

Blessing to you!

Lisa

suz said...

thank you for letting us know how Pam is doing! I'm so happy this wasn't cancer. Sending her prayers and good thoughts!

Diane said...

Thanks so much for the update.So glad to hear Pam is a 5%.Thoughts and prayers going your way for the both of you....Blessings Diane

Mila said...

Great news :))! A very big hug Pam!
Mila

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