My Mom's Surgery - Keep Updated and Keep Praying

6:11 AM
My mom, dad, and I were off to an early start - getting up around 2:30am to get on the road in time for her 6:00am check-in time at Vanderbilt. Momma (that's what I call her) was in good spirits this morning despite her hunger and thirst. She was on a clean liquids diet yesterday and had to cease all fluids by 8:00pm last night in order for her 8:00am surgery today. I am in the waiting in the lobby as my mom and dad (her 1 allowed guest) were just taken to the surgery prep area. Daddy will be returning to the waiting room prior to the beginning of surgery. It's early, but the waiting room is a happenin' place of folks young and old - all here to support someone that is dear to them.
I will be updating this blog post as I receive any info. Please feel free to check in as the day goes by for my mom's most up-to-date status. Thank you for you prayers!

9:42AM
Momma was completely prepped for surgery and taken back at approx 8:15am. She has an epidural pump that can be used for up to 5 days, an IV for other needed pain meds, and and IV for fluids. Her surgery will begin by taking out her peritoneal cholecystostomy (gallbladder drainage bag), then will connect her pseudocyst and stomach via a hole to suction the fluid in the cyst (I assume this is like a fistula for you medical-minded people), and finally they wil remove her gallbladder. The gallbladder has some scar tissue, so it will be a bit more invasive than a traditional cholecystectomy. The surgeons were most concerned regarding the gallbladder removal than the other portions of surgery.
Terry and Phyllis Presson from NUMC are here with us. We are so grateful for your prayers!

11:41AM
Mom is out of surgery! We are not able to visit in the recovery unit yet, but hope to see her soon. They suctioned 500cc of fluid from the pseudocyst (yikes - that's 1/2 a liter!). The gallbladder was a little tricky. The surgeon told my dad on the phone that they placed a drainage for something related to the removed gallbladder. I'll find out more about that when I see her or her MDs. Not sure on the extent of the actual surgical cut, but I'm interested to see how large it was. Looks like she is going to be alright after recovery from the surgery! Stay tuned for further updates!

2:55PM
The patient is resting in her hospital room! As mentioned earlier, surgery went well. She has a JP drain to drain some excess fluid from the gallbladder-free portion of her abdominal cavity. She also has an NG tube to suction, so no PO intake for at least another day or so. Sorry for the jargon... she has a tube running through her nose to her stomach to suction any residual drainage. She also has a pain pump that connects to the epidural, so she can control her pain meds. Supposedly she should get 1 or 2 pints of blood today. Continue the prayers as they are working!

9:51AM
Momma did not sleep well last night. I don't blame her as she just had a major surgery AND they added a 2nd occupant to her hospital room yesterday evening. Who wants to share a hospital room at this day and age? Her suctions are doing well. She is still receiving sliding scale insulin for her BG. This AM it was in the 180's, last night, in the 160s. Daddy and I will be heading back to Jackson this afternoon sometime. We hope to see the surgeon or attending physician before we leave. Payton has his last exam at 10:30am today, so he should be stopping by the hospital after that.
Praises to the Lord for good progress!