August 15, 2008
Dad Is Okay
I just got home after a long and trying day. I’m utterly exhausted and I can barely keep my head up and eyes open, but I know many of you are on pins and needles and I wanted to make sure I came over to update on Dad’s surgery.
I woke up this morning, still tired, and discovered I had a migraine from Hades. I’m sure it’s because I was still PMSing and under a lot of stress. Showering was a struggle as I was so worried about Dad’s surgery and all the hours of waiting. Five long hours of surgery. Poor Daddy. I just can’t imagine what he was thinking and feeling.
Dawson was so dead tired from all the trips to the hospital we made, and waking him up was like rousing the dead. I managed to dress him as quickly as possible, but the poor Doodlebug just wanted to sleep. Then he rolled over onto his tummy and I heard him mumble, “Dear God, please fix my Papa.” It was so sweet, but it broke my heart. Even at three years old, his heart is full of compassion.
I called my Mom at ten to 8 a.m. and told her I was on my way, but I had to drop Dawson off at daycare first. Thank the Lord that my dearest friend Chris offered to pick him up later that afternoon because I didn’t know how long I’d be in Marshfield, and Doug had to work the second shift at the store. He tried to get off work, but I told him not to because I’m going to need his help tomorrow for this family reunion I’m not responsible for on Dad’s behalf.
After driving over to Mom’s, and picking up my sister Rachel and my brother Frankie, we all stopped for coffee at Emy J’s and I’m glad we did because I hadn’t eaten anything and I needed something in my body to get the metabolism moving. I had a caramel steamer/coffee mix and it was really delicious. Mom lectured me about not eating breakfast but I was so worried about Dad I knew I’d throw up whatever I tried to stick down my gullet.
We were more than halfway to the hospital when my brother Nathan called to say that Dad had already been taken to the ER to be prepped for surgery. It was only 9:15 and his operation wasn’t scheduled until 11:30. We got to the hospital in time to be taken back to see Dad. The nurses were very kind to let all 5 of us back there, even though the rule is only two at a time. I think they realized how close our family is and we needed to be there together.
Dad told us that Dr. Rau moved the schedule up to 10 a.m., which was excellent, and we had only ten minutes to tell Daddy how much we loved him. Frankie, my youngest brother began to cry, which made me cry, then Mom started to cry and Dad was getting misty-eyed and it just made me grasp for air. The love my mother and father share is amazing and so strong and I pray that I’m blessed to share that same everlasting love with Doug (I know I will, because my father and Doug are from the same mold. But that’s another post entirely).
After we left the ER, we went to the family waiting room to wait. At about 11:30, the ER nurse came to say that the surgery before Dad’s was delayed and Dad wouldn’t be taken back for an hour or more. Turns out his surgery didn’t begin until 1:30 p.m. and at 3:30 the nurse called the waiting room to say that things were going well at that point and she’d update us again soon.
At 5:30, Dr. Rao, the neuro-surgeon said he had done his part, which was the craniotomy, and they took fatty tissue and part of his thigh muscle to rebuild the part of the brain that was damaged from the accident.
He learned upon opening the skull that there was little more damage than what showed in the x-rays/ultrasound, but the did that there was a lot of mobility in that area of the skull fracture and the damage to the frontal lobe wasn’t too severe to be irrepairable.
They layered that area with the tissue to create multiple “seals” that will allow that area to heal and to create a barrier in the sinus cavitity and nasal area. This is so that they could prevent spinal fluid from leaking out Dad’s nostrils. He may still have a problem with this later, and it could require an additional surgery but right now they did what they could to prevent that from happening. Dad has a spinal tap to alleviate some of the pressure and brain swelling and that will need to be in for several days. Dr. Rao had to put a plate in the forehead area to keep everything in place.
After Dr. Rao finished his part, Dr. Pillai came in to do facial reconstruction and that involved piecing my father’s face together and he may need to do another surgery later around the eye socket because that was crushed severely. Amazingly (and thank you, God) my dad’s eye is fine. We’re praying his vision will stay in tact, the risk that that eye will worse is small, but we’re still praying for full reconvery.
All in all, Dad’s surgery took 8 hours because of the complexity and and all the facial reconstruction that needed to be done. He’s in a drug induced coma for the rest of the night and part of tomorrow because there’s some swelling in the brain as a result of this surgery.
I cannot tell you how relieved I am, but I’m still fearful that something unexpected will arise. I hate to think that way, but I can only think this is my mind’s way of preparing me for the worst. I have faith that God is at work here, that this is in His hands now. My father is a man of God, a devoted Christian and I know the the Lord will keep him safe and that he is there for Daddy.
I’m trying not to worry. I’m a little frazzled, but maybe after a good night’s sleep I’ll be more sane tomorrow. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I think that knowing you are in my corner and have been here for me, is what makes me realize everything is okay and that I’m not losing my mind. I love you all so much. Thank, from the bottom of my heart…..thank you, thank you, thank you.
Posted by Dana @ 10:38 PM • The Mommy Files
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August 15th, 2008 at 11:07 PM, Nancy Says:
You bet I’m on your side. You know, right?
August 16th, 2008 at 10:29 AM, Nicole (SAHM Ramblings) Says:
We’re all here pulling for you and the family. Sounds like your Dad is in good hands. That’s always a plus… it’s when you leave the hospital all disgruntled and frustrated because they won’t tell you anything or talk to you like the patient is not a person… that’s when it’s difficult!
Keep us posted but not at the sake of your sanity.
August 16th, 2008 at 10:35 AM, Wisconsin Mommy Says:
We are continuing to hold all of you in our prayers. Hang in there.
Wisconsin Mommys last blog post..It’s Coming…
August 16th, 2008 at 12:55 PM, Rachel Inbar Says:
Wow. That’s a lot to go through in one day. Make sure to take care of yourself too.
August 16th, 2008 at 4:36 PM, Wifey's House Says:
So glad to hear the surgery was successful! Please take care of yourself and get some rest. I’ll keep the prayers coming…smiles!
Wifey’s Houses last blog post..Tooth Fairy Fired Due to Budget Cuts
August 18th, 2008 at 2:17 PM, Jenny Says:
Glad to hear your dad is feeling better. That’s gotta suck to have to go through.
Big hugs.
Jennys last blog post..This doesn’t bode well for the integrity of blogging