About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

She's Alive!!!

Thank you all for your prayers, notes, cards and well wishes.  They've all meant very, very much to me.

It's been a very eventful past three weeks.  The surgery to remove part of the sigmoid colon went well as did the repair of the fistula.  Getting to these areas, however, took about four more hours than anticipated due to scar tissue and I lost a lot of blood, but was up and relatively conscious that night.  

Discharged the following Tuesday, I spent a few days at home unsuccessfully trying to manage increasing pain and on Sunday was readmitted through the ER with a blockage (what was eventually diagnosed as a seroma which is a build-up of fluid around the incision).  The blockage was drained on Wednesday and I was discharged again on Thursday -- so I've been home for a week during which time I've been working hard on just feeling normal.  My appetite is just beginning to return after being NPO (nothing by mouth) for almost two weeks.  At one point I offered a nurse $500.00 for a piece of ice.  He turned me down!

Tonight is the first night I've joined you all; the first night I've been able to concentrate for longer than just a few minutes.  I've missed you.



















25 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Bless your heart, Kathy... I'm so sorry for all that you have gone through. Hopefully now, the worst is over ---and you are on the road to recovery. Bless your heart...
Hugs and Prayers,
Betsy

George said...

Welcome back -- we've missed you. It sounds as if you had a very dedicated nurse -- turning down all that cash for a piece of ice.

Kimberly said...

So glad to hear something from the horse's mouth! YAY for you, but it sounds like it has been quite an awful adventure. Certainly NOT the way to diet! I hope your progress continues and speeds up! In the meantime, enjoy the fruits of your labor sitting in your beautiful garden soaking up the sun and the view.

Linda Reeder said...

You've been through an ordeal, that's for sure. The complications sound much like what my brother-in-law experienced. this is seroius stuff.
So glad to hear you are now on the mend and back among the living. Be good to yourself.

Kay said...

I can't believe you're at your computer. I'm so sorry you've been going through such pain and misery. I sure hope you heal super quick from this point on. I'll be thinking about you.

Purple Flowers said...

So glad you are back - I was worried.

Anonymous said...

Kathy, I'm so sorry this has been such a long recovery time for you. Things WILL return to normal for you.... day by day, Sweetie. We've all missed you too! Take care.

Pat said...

So sorry to hear that things didn't go exactly as planned but it's wonderful to hear you are on the mend and were actually able to blog a bit. Wishing you a better day, every day.

Jay said...

That really sucks that you had to go back to the shop for extra repair work. But, I'm glad you're getting better! Take it easy and don't push yourself or try to do too much too soon.

happyone said...

Oh my you have had quite a time of it. Glad you are getting better now.
Nice to see you back. :-)

Bilbo said...

And we have missed you, too! Glad to hear that you are getting better, however slowly. Agnes and I will be headed to Germany for our vacation soon ... hopefully, you will be up and kicking goals again by the time we return. Good luck, and best wishes for a speedy return to normal (or whatever its equivalent is for you)!

Sally Wessely said...

Kathy,

I'm so happy to read this post. You truly have been on my mind so much. I pray for you as you are brought to mind. I had decided to send you an email today if I didn't see a post.

I'm sad to read that it has been a rough few weeks for you. It is great to hear you are doing better. I hope each day brings you once step closer to being back to feeling good.

Lena said...

Kathy, So wonderful to have you back. I have been thinking about you, too!

Wow, what complications. Amazing that you had to go for 2 weeks with no food by mouth.

I am glad to hear that you are on the mend and hope you will feel completely recovered very soon!

Gilly said...

Welcome back, Kathy! I really hope you are feeling normal now, and thoroughly on the mend. We've missed you!

Forsythia said...

What a relief to know that you are finally home. Looks like you came through all this with your sense of humor intact. Take good care of yourself. Does the offer about the ice still hold? I'd be glad to bring you a whole tray.

Two Minute Takes said...

Good to hear from you. I'm sorry that recovery is so painful and hope that in a few more weeks time, you will be feeling much less pain and much more like your old (new) self. Take good care and let yourself get pampered like crazy.

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

Welcome back!
I'm sure it been a loooooong few weeks! It'll take a while to come back from such serious surgery so be patient!
Heavens, not even a piece of ice!!!
:)

Cheryl said...

It was great seeing you, especially the first time. OK, don't laugh too hard :)) Check my blog for a 'color-ful' story about...your hair.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

I've been thinking about you. So sorry you had a difficult time, but I'm glad to hear you are doing better now. Take care of yourself and continue to improve.

Rob Robinson said...

Hi Kathy , I'm sorry to hear about your complications and I will certainly keep you in my prayers. I will be checking in to look for updates. Stay well!

Tracy said...

Kathy,
Since I missed the excitement, I scrolled down to catch up on your journey; UGH!! and thank God you are resting and recovering. Take good care of yourself!

jane said...

kathy! i´m so glad you are feeling better! hang in there. you have someone 3000 miles away who will be sending you lots of love.
big hugs dear kathy!

Mage said...

Welcome home. I'm so sorry it's been hard to get back to your normal again, but I can't tell you how pleased I was to see a note from you and read this entry.

Pretty soon you will be dancing with the grandkids again since you danced away from yesterday's earthquake so very well. Hugs....my thoughts are your way.

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

And we've missed you, Kathy! What an ordeal you've been through. So glad you are back and on the mend.

Cobalt Violet said...

Oh, my, not even ice? I feel you. I was NPO for a while but not that long! I am so sorry you had to go through that. You are so strong and amazing. You truly inspire me.