Monday Evening

We had a LONG and very TIRING day.  It culminated with Tracey being up three times and making good progress walking the halls.  However, she is exhausted and ready for some good rest.  They have started her on liquids today so we are making progress.

Our day was brightened when we received a visit from Laurie Trew.  Laurie is a childhood friend of Todd's who lives in the Baltimore area and the daughter of  Dr. Shelly Griffith.  Shelly has been an advocate both professionally and personally during her journey.  It was extremely nice to see a native Tennesseean.  Laurie was certainly a ray of sunshine in our day.

Tracey asked for prayers for complete healing.  Many thanks to those on Tracey's team.

Teresa and Todd

Monday Morning

It is currrently Monday morning about 11:20 and you can definitely tell that the work week is back in full swing. We have had many docs and nurses in to check on her. Her main doctor "The Surgeon" made his rounds about 7:00. He did not have any different news but it was the first time that Tracey got to hear the results straight from him. His tone was still extremely positive and that helped her a lot. After that the Physical Therapist come and we got her up for a walk. This time she was able to make if down a short hallway and back to a chair in our room. She sat there for about an hour and then got up for another walk. Now she gets rewarded with a nap. We should be able to take another walk after lunch.

It puts life in prospective on how lucky we are to be healthy and strong. The great part is that with her determination she will be healthy and strong soon.
Todd

Sunday Night

Tracey had a better day today.  Her pain has been managed much better and she was able to rest.  We lost another set of wires when they removed the heart and blood oxogen monitor.  This helps when we get her up.  She has gotten up twice today and walked a short distance. 

Today we have been able to share Bible verses that have been sent, written prayers and email and text messages of encouragement.  Photos of family and fun times have been hung on the walls in her room so that she can catch glimpses of happy times.  I must say that we also like to look at them too.

Many thanks to those continuing to bath her in prayer and by sending messages of encouragement or Bible verses.  We ask that you continue to pray for comfort, healing and peace as she experiences many emotions during this process.  You automatically think of pain but she also experiences sadness, anxiety and fear especially at night.  Things are always bigger when it becomes dark.

Tracey is looking forward to getting to see "THE SURGEON" tomorrow.  She has not been able to talk with him since before she went into surgery.  He was gone from Friday thru Sunday and she has only seen his Residents.  She can't wait to talk to him and hear first hand what he has to say.

Tracey sends her love to all!

Todd

Sunday Afternoon

It is now 1:30 and so far Sunday has been a very good day. After our short walk yesterday the pain set in. From 3:00 to about 11:00 last night her pain was extremely difficult to bare. Pain management is now dealing with needing to balance her epidural meds with the increasing loss of meds from surgery. We increased the dosage around 8:00 last night and by 11:00 she was setteled in. Today the meds must be working. She just finished anohter short walk and Teresa was able to brush her hair and have her bed cleaned. No pain so far. She asked that I keep everyone updated as she does not want the prayers to stop comming in. Please pray for comfort and healing. Thank You. Todd. 

Saturday in our room

We made it to a permanent room Friday night about 9:00. This made Friday night a quite and peaceful night. She was able to rest extremely well. Saturday morning brought on some anxiety and she had several waves of fear and panic. We had to pray our way through the fear. The pain continues to be under control. She was able to sit in a chair for the first time about 12:00. Then again at 3:45 she took a short walk as well as some addtional chair time. Please pray for no complications as well as peace, comfort, and healing.

Todd

Still In Recovery

Tracey is coming out of anesthesia and wants out of the recovery room!  It is a very busy, noisy place.  Even though it has been a long day for us, she has rested very well and her pain remains under control.  We have been told that she is assigned a room and should be moved tonight but we are still waiting.  Hopefully, we will be settled in her room by Saturday's update. 

Todd

The morning after Surgery

It is the day after surgery and Tracey is still in the recovery unit. She is doing great and only still there due to the lack of rooms in the intermediate care unit. We all got to see her around 11:00 last night and she was awake and able to talk with us. Her skin color looks great and she seems to be more comfortable than any of the other surgeries. She told the pain management unit that her pain mantainence was better as well. Even though her pain is controled and she seems to be doing great, the recovery room is loud and not very restful. We pray that she is able to be moved into her own room and start the healing process.
Todd