1 step forward, 2 steps back

*Warning* This will be a LONG post.

I have so much to tell you.

First- Yesterday morning I used my cell phone to tell you ALL about what happened after the surgery and the how the night in ICU went. When I was finished I hit the "end" button instead of #. Opps. That means my second audio post was gone forever and I was too tired to repeat it.

Here's the gist of it... Thursday Morning.
6:30 am and the cafeteria was closed again. So I went to LaBou to get a soy mocha...easy on the cocoa. I knew I was going to need a good heavy dose of caffeine to get through this day. Michael woke up several times (he's on steroids so this was no surprise).

Wait a minute- I need to back up a bit don't I? Okay...4:15 on Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Salamassy strolls into the waiting room with a big smile on his face. "It couldn't have gone better!"
I thought he said...Could of gone better.
Boy was I relieved when he corrected me.

I had to wait another hour before I could see him. I used that time to find the gift shop and buy him 2 pretty blue carnation flowers. Little did I know MB was going to taken to ICU. Flowers are not usually allowed in there (or visitors), but they bent the rules quite a bit for me.
When I saw him, I thought...he is so out of it! I bet he won't remember this. He had ice packs on his face, wires stuck to his body and an oxygen mask that covered his mouth and nose...including a large trumpet tube sticking out of the right side nostril. I felt so bad for him. I wished I could spare him all this pain and discomfort.

We weren't in that room very long. Soon it was time to be taken to ICU. I was told to wait in another room while they got him settled. I was surprised to see Dr. Ulrich (Michael's orthodontist) waiting in the room as well. He gave me a card to give to MB and said his whole office was thinking about him. Isn't that nice! We waited and talked about things for about 40 minutes. Then we came in I could tell that Dr. Ulrich felt uncomfortable. He patted MB's shoulder and said he just wanted to come by and see how he was doing. Then he left.

I immediately started checking the place out. It was a circular room with the nurses station in the middle. 2 beds were placed on either side with curtains that could be drawn for privacy. There were 3 doors that led to more private rooms, even though the doors remained open much of the time.

I stayed by his side, hold his hand and helping the nurses. At 7, I decided it would be a good idea if I tried to eat something. The cafeteria was closed. LaBou was closed. My only other option (because I wasn't thinking clear enough to try the grocery store) was fast food.
McDonalds?- NO WAY!
KFC?- No, to much milk and grease.
Subway?- Not another huge loaf of bread!
That left Carl's Jr. Yuck. A burger and fries...oh joy. I would have rather gone without, but my stomach was hurting. I needed something.

The night didn't allow for much rest. The lights stay on, MB's not tired (those damn steroids!) and by the looks of that chair...forget it!!

At about 3:30 am I found a position that most people couldn't do. Because I am small, I knew I could manage it. I curled up my legs and slept sideways on the chair with my head resting on 2 pillows that I placed on a portable handicap toilet chair. Not very comfortable, but at least it allowed me nearly 2 hours of glorious, much needed rest.

Okay- that puts us back to Thursday morning at LaBou.
I ordered a soy mocha and searched for something else breakfast like that didn't have cheese or milk. Nothing.
Well, I do kind of like those sausage biscuit things at McDonalds...I couldn't believe it was 6:30 AM and I was going through the drive thru at McDonalds! Why didn't I plan better!! Why didn't I remember the damn grocery store?? Fruit Kathy...remember? FRUIT!! They have that at grocery stores, duh!

Dr. Salamassy came by to check on his patient around 9am.

Dr.-Where was the surgery?
me- Uhm, (pointing above my lip on both sides of my face)...here?
Dr.- Yeah, so why are there ice packs on his ears?
me- That's where the nurses put 'em.
Dr.- Sometimes you know more than the nurses.

Great! I know more than the nurses! MB sure is in trouble.

Three things MB had to do before he could be released:
1. Take in something other than water and keep it down.
2. Get up and walk around.
3. Pee without the catheter.

#1 was no problem. Apple juice.
#2 & 3 were harder. He was dizzy and blood drained from his nose & mouth when he tried to stand up. But by noon, he'd done it. Dr. Salamassy said we could be released at 1:00 when he faxed over the release papers.
1:00 came and went. 2:00...3:00...4:00...
Finally at 4:30, and several phones calls to his office by the nurses, the fax came in and the IV was taken out. At 5:00 MB was in the wheel chair and we were going home. Thank goodness. If only things have been going better here at home.

Last night was rough. I got him all set up in bed...45 degree angle, meds all done, breathing good. But at 1 am I woke up to find Michael with his head hanging over in the sink, coughing and trying to spit. His nose was clogged and he couldn't breath. Shit!

I tried not to panic, but it's not my nature to stay calm. I get mad when I start to panic.
Why didn't you wake me up?
What am I suppose to do now?
Why am I asking you, you can't talk!

I knew I shouldn't...but I did. I went into the kitchen and grabbed the nasal spray. He's gotta breath!
Once I had him breathing good again (good just means he can) I called the doctor.
It was 2 am when Dr. Salamassy's voice asked what was happening. I told him how the congestion and coughing was really making me nervous.
He reminded me that keeping Michael's blood pressure down was VERY important. If the pressure goes up, so does his swelling which means he doesn't breath. ICE, ICE and 45 DEGREE ANGLE. If you have to use the nasal spray again, just do one side- NOT both.
Okay- I got it. But he's freaking me out and if he keeps this up, I'm takin him right back to the hospital! Sorry I woke you up.
"It's okay- important call. See you tomorrow, Kathy."

It's after 11am now on Friday and I've managed to keep him alive so far without taking him back in. Breathing is still our main concern...our main challenge.
Dr. appt is at 3:00.