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in sickness and in health

our parents on their wedding day

12/12/1971

Another bump in the road...

Us waiting for the elevator last night after our visit. We only stayed but a minute.

So, Mom has been running a fever of 103 and higher. She has an infection.
They've taken cultures and are waiting to determine what type of bacteria she has so that they can treat it.
Please, we are asking that you wait a day or two to visit.
They will know tomorrow what action to take, as far as what antibiotic to administer.
For now, they've given her Tylenol and have bags of ice all over her to help cool her down.


Peggy and Brandon popped in just as I'd arrived.

Your prayers and wishes are working!!!

"I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay." - DMB

Thanks for making the drive Roseanne Stone!! Roseanne is the daughter of one of my mother's dearest friends, Jane Ondrish.

We are very thankful to have such a wonderful circle of friends and family! Thanks for keeping mom in your thoughts and taking time to visit...

Sarah and Earl Huddleston
Emmet Riddick
Haywood and Beverly
Sheila Evans
Jane Hill
Peggy and Brandon Long
Marlise Holmes
Debbie E.
Debbie I.
And many, many more!

Beautiful Day in GA - Day 6

Sorry Aunt Sue! Here is today's update...

Mom is doing terrific today. They are slowly weaning her...this morning they removed the on-q pain relief ball that was administering continuous local anesthetic to the intra-operative site. Mom is taking oral pain medication. She is left with the IV in her left hand and the feeding tube in her stomach. The feeding tube is not being used...mom is on a soft diet and has been doing great! Mom is getting up and down on her own to use the restroom. She is even passing gas...that is a good sign mom is getting back to her old self.

Mom had a 102.4 fever throughout the night but seems to be doing better this morning. She is still having to complete her breathing exercises throught the airlife machine. They took x-rays this morning to make sure everything is healing properly and no symtoms of ammonia...I will let you know the results as soon as I find something out. Dr. Danaker is off saturday and sunday, Dr. Lee will be on call throughout the weekend.

Yesterday, the doctor said her white cell count looked good. Good news...we don't want an infection!

Sheila and Jane...thank you so much for helping out at the hospital! We love you both and appreciate all your support!

GOOD NEWS!

I just spoke with Kelli a few moments ago and Dr. Daneker and Felicia (nurse practitioner) had just stopped by to check on Mom. They will be removing the epidural (she will be taking pain medicine by mouth), the catheter (for the collection of urine), and the JP drain (drainage around the surgical area). They will start her on a soft diet today. Also, the doctor said the results from pathology are good. He feels there is no need for further surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The samples are being sent off for a second opinion though, just to be certain (this is standard procedure). The doctor is pleased with Mom’s progress and says she will be the poster child for recovery after Intraductal Papillary-Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) removal. What a miracle!

Photos from Day Four

Mom enjoying a Sprite.


Nurse Larry feeding Rose a big chunk of yummy Jell-O.


Debbie, thanks for the great visit. Laughter is truly the best medicine and you gave mom lots of chuckles.



You know, some people might say, "I can't believe she posted that photo of Rose's backside."
But to those of you thinking that, let me tell you: This is my favorite photo of mom's journey so far.
Tonight, as the nurse was helping her out of bed I realized how fragile my mother really is. She's tiny. I mean, tiny. She's only 5 feet tall. (Okay, okay mom. I can hear you yelling at me: 5feet 1.5inches! ) Seriously though, it's easy to forget about her small frame when you see her in that hospital bed. Her personality is just so big. It's like the two shouldn't naturally go together. So, it hit me that even though she's progressing quickly and she's so strong mentally and emotionally, her body needs to take it slow.
I've yet to get emotional around my mother. I've managed to avoid the waterfall. Tonight, as I watched her take those tiny little steps back to health I was in awe. The kind of awe that hits you like an unexpected wave and bathes you in a sea of new understanding. My mother has a will/strength/drive/determination (call it what you wish) that is almost shocking. I was impressed with her ability to walk around that track tonight- twice. Her little staccato steps never paused for a break. She kept a fast and steady pace. (She even did it with a smile on her face.) And she didn't complain about the "draft", not even once!
I'm so proud of her. I know you are too.

Liquid Schmiquid

Find out what Rosey thinks about the liquid diet. She's telling her twin, Sue, all about it. She was a little groggy here, very tired.
I love how she says, "... and a Sprite!" at the end. I guess if I hadn't had any "food" in four days I'd be excited about a Sprite, too!

We Now Have Video!

The room was pretty dark. So, I hope you can view this without any problems.

I've recorded several more messages from dad, but we'll start with the serious one (because dad is never serious).

Watch that and then read this:

The night nurse, Ebony, just came in to check the epidural, get her blood pressure and administer her meds. She also listened to her heart and took her temperature. Mom has a bit of a fever- 100.5 Daneker said no Tylenol until her fever reaches 101.5 or higher.
She'll go for one more walk before bed, maybe. She asked about getting some more pain medicine and the nurse said she'd look at her chart to see when she last had the Dilaudid. She hadn't had any pain medicine since 11am! She's really been toughing it out.

So, she took two laps around the nurses' station. I'm so proud of her! I have the cutest photo to post but I can't upload it until I get home. Check back later for more images.

ROCK ON RO-RO

Mother, you're such a rock star!!!

You've had nearly 400 hits on your blog.

FEED ME!

felica just called at 9:55AM EST and announced mom gets to advance to a liquid diet!! mom is hopeful it will be steak, potato and broccoli juice! yum yum!

Unstoppable!

mom is taking a lap around the nurses' station

thursday @ 9:45AM

Feeling Much Better

Mom is feeling much better this morning!! She had a bath and now she is sitting up and enjoying ice chips!

Felicia is here this morning to visit. She has been studying the cause of mom's episode yesterday...

a. Pain Medicine? Pre-eposide mom was on a constant drip of Diloted. They think this was less likely because the meds and doses never changed. Mom was on Diloted when she visited the emergency room last month. Her pain meds were changed last night at 7:30PM to a local anesthesia called Marcaine.

b. Vasovagal Maneuver? I guess this is when pressure is put on certain organs and nerves when she bend down that could cause fainting. Mom did walk two laps around the nurses station before the episode.

Blood sugar levels have been good...averaging out at 130-120.

They will continue to evaluate and talk with the doctor further today.

She is back! I even think she is planning to take another lap around the nurses' station this morning.

Mom wants me to tell everyone "hi! hopefully see you soon."

felica is dr danaker's assistant

very lovely person...and has a green thumb!

mom and dad thursday @ 8:45AM

26 Staples

Mom has 26 staples. The skin is already mending together!

Picture taken Thursday 8:40AM EST

we love you wife, mom, mamaw, sister and friend

Keep my mother in your hearts! Mom loves the lord's prayer...

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come,

thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.

for ever and ever.

Amen

This is the most recent picture of mom...she resting comfortably under dad's close surveillance. 8:35PM EST

%$#@!!*&!

OMG!! Shortly after dad returned this afternoon...mom had very very scary moment.

If you read in my sister's previous post...Mom has done fantastic all day. Her bandage was removed at 12:30PM and when the doctor visited at 1PM he removed the NG and oxygen tubes. She was also up moving around...making a few laps around the nurses' station. She was doing so great, when Sheila arrived dad decided to run home to take a quick shower.

Dad returned to the hospital around 4PM to relieve Sheila. Mom had just gotten back into bed from a stroll around the nurses' station and was resting. He was settling in when he noticed mom was sweating heavily. He took a cold rag to wipe her face and was surprised when mom didn't respond to the dampness of the rag. He started to yell her name...Rose?? Rose?...still no response from mom. Dad was starting to get desparate and ran out find a nurse. The nurse yelled for FIRST RESPONSE as soon as she saw mom's state. Dad said it seems like a long time before the team of nurses, anesthesiologist, respitory therpist and techs showed up to the room to revitalize mom. Once they arrived they tried wake her by applying pressure to her chest and when she didn't respond they immediately put her on 100% oxygen and shut off her epidural. She started to respond finally and within a few seconds mom was overcome by pain...it was so severe the pain took her breathaway, turned her eyes red...dad was worried she was going to go into cardiac arrest. This continued until the anesthesiologist put a blocker on the pain medicine and mom returned to a calm state. Dad said the pain seemed to go away almost as fast as it came.

Mom's pain prescription was changed at 7:30PM to a local anesthesia called Marcaine and still goes in through the epidural.

Dr. Jason York was the anesthesiologist that made quick decisions that saved mom.
Mark was one of the gentleman on the FIRST RESPONSE TEAM that helped revive mom.

If it was not for dad noticing a change in mom's behavior I am not sure what would have happened. Thank God dad was in the room. I am very surprised that the nurses' station was not notified by the drop in the SpO2 number on her monitor. This was a VERY SCARY episode!! Believe me, dad will not be sleeping much the rest of mom's stay in the hospital.

We are not in the clear yet...Please continue to pray for our mom!!

Mrs. Whipple is Walking

So, I'm stuck at home tonight, but dad called earlier and said that Daneker came to visit again. He took out her NG tube (the large one stuck in her nose that was draining her stomach). He took her off oxygen AND he completely removed her bandages.
Dad had quite a different reaction to the incision. He thinks it's enormous!

Anyway, the most exciting news is that Daneker told mom she was "taking a walk today".
I haven't talked to dad since this afternoon, but I imagine Kelli will update once she's arrived tonight.

Daneker said she looks incredible to be out of surgery only two days.
Daneker said that.

Someone needs to buy this shirt.

A Pancreas Tee! How funny is that?
You can find it at I Heart Guts
I might just have to get one.

Oh my gosh! They also sell plush pancreas "dolls" AND they're on sale!

Proof- She Sleeps!

Mom doesn't sleep. I'm sure Julie could tell you all about it. (She shared a bed with mom the night before she went in for surgery.) When I was in college, I knew I could call mom at midnight and there was a good chance she'd answer. (She almost always did.)
So, it's great to see her rest. It's even better to see her really really rest.

This evening she kept opening her eyes. I told her just to go ahead and sleep. She said she was trying to keep herself up so that she'd sleep well tonight. And then she dozed off, again.
At one point, she was snoring. The phone rang and dad was filling someone in on her status. He said, "Yeah, they've moved her into a room, room 258." In between snores, mom snapped, "528 Larry. The room number is 528." I swear that woman doesn't miss a beat, even in her sleep.


Mom keeps referring to Daneker as "The Top Dog". Honestly? He's no dog. No, not a dog at all. That's all I'll say about that.
Oh, well. I'll say one more thing: He does great work. Two nurses had come in earlier to check her dressings before he arrived. We were able to get a glimpse of the battle scar. I was bracing myself for the worst. I was impressed with his handy work. The incision was much smaller than I'd pictured in my mind. The staples were in the shape of an upside down triangle and located right underneath her chest. It was very clean and tight. Thanks Dr. D.

Dad brought mom some roses tonight. He teased and said he'd found them down in the lobby. Someone had left them! What a joker. He also brought back a few things from home that mom had requested. Make-up. Make-up? Mom, I don't think make-up is going to hide the fact that you have a gazillion tubes coming out of your nose. Besides, her skin has an incredible glow. She shouldn't cover that up for anything. He also said he thought, at the rate she was recovering, he'd better bring her coat and a change of clothes. So, he did.
I thought it was the sweetest gesture, even sweeter than the flowers. Her coat is waiting there in that closet, ready to go home with her in a few short days...

an apple a day keeps the dr away

Dr. Danaker visited mom's room at 6:30PM. He gave all of us the boot so he could change her dressings.

He said her blood sugar levels are a little high but are better than expected...last test at 5:45PM was 146. The nurse just gave her insulin to regulate. Mom is also getting some nasuea medicine.

Dr. Danaker is looking for an opening on a reality tv show...any leads?

When do I get all the ice chips I want?

Matt, Brennan, Angela and I arrived just after 5:30pm this evening and were packed in the room like sardines...only 2 chairs per room allowed.   They already have a cot ready for Dad to spend the night. 

Mom looks terrific and in good spirits! She is still waiting for her order of steak and potatoes...but all she gets is a few ice chips.  She is having to breath through an Airlife 10x every hour to help open up her lungs after surgery...the nurse also said it helps keep her temp down. 

Julie and Bets got on a plane to fly home at 12...and we finally got word around 2:30PM they landed safe and sound in Indy.  

Sheila Evans was in mom's room for over 3 hours to give my dad time to run home...feed the kitty and take a shower.  Thanks Sheila...Dad is eating that leftover sandwich too! 

Thanks for the visit...

Sarah and Earl Huddleston
Ann Ward

dear mamaw...

when you get out we can go to the skate park together. 

love brennan

This was Brennan's first visit to the hospital to see his mamaw. 

Hospital Information

St. Joseph Hospital 

Rose Waddy, Room 528

5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30342

Regular visiting hours are from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.

You can get more patient and visitor information @ http://www.stjosephsatlanta.org/patient_and_visitors/index.html

vacancy in room 528

A room has opened up...Mom is packing up and moving to a private room (i just hope they don't have her between rooms when the inauguration starts)!! You can find her in room 528.

You go girl!

1o:45AM EST

Wow.

I just talked to dad. He says she's brushed her teeth and they've got her sitting up in a chair.
Unbelievable, that she can be upright so quickly after such a surgery.
Felicia, the head nurse for Daneker, said she's approved mom to be transferred to a regular room. Out of the ICU already? Amazing. The bad news is, there are no regular rooms open at the moment. So, hopefully she'll be transferred this afternoon sometime. It will be nice to be able to visit longer than a half hour.

I was told she's been watching Fox 5 News since 6am. That's just like you, mom. You don't want to miss out on anything, do you?

See you tonight.

all new plumbing

We anxiously waited at the staff elevator doors for mom to be rolled into ICU. As soon as the elevator door dinged we raced, tripping over one another to confirm it was her as the nurse yelled "WADDY." We quickly circled the bed to make our own assessment. It was her...and boy she looked better than I expected. I think we were all shocked at how great she looked and how responsive she was. She was waving her hand in the air making OK signs with her fingers....she repeated several times "I made it" and "It's done" and she blew kisses to my dad. It was a remarkable moment...I was relieved to see mom and was so proud of her strength.

Julie and Betsy were scheduled to fly back to Indy so as soon as the nurses let us into the room they were the first to visit with mom. Betsy told mom that she had a surprise for her and mom's first response was "animal crackers?" No animal crackers for awhile mom! Betsy had actually gotten mom a black and white toy kitty cat because she knows how much mom's own cat means to her.

Ok, so she was not completely in right mind but very alert. She recogized my dad's voice and touch right away...she held his hand for a very long time and whispered "I did it...It's done...love you."

During my visit, I kissed her forehead and told her how proud I was of her. She squeezed my hand tight...very tight and said in a vicious voice "I want to get out of here." She almost had me worried that she might try something funny.

Mom's lips and mouth were very dry but continued to hold a conversations with each of us. She said she felt a little nauseas. She must have been dreaming about food during the entire surgery...during the first visits after surgery she asked for animal crackers, diet coke, filet mignon.

Mom had a very friendly nurse named Vincent tonight...Vincent loves his job and made mom feel very comfortable. Thank you Vincent!

Visitor hours are over at 9pm in ICU.

Good night mom! You are my best friend and I love you!

Dad, please get some rest...see you in the morning.

Julie and Bets, it's a good thing Delta didn't have room for you tonight!

surgery is over

BREATH! Surgery is over!

At 12:40PM the pager went off, the nurse notified us that surgery is over and the doctor will meet us in consultation room B. The doctor did not keep us waiting long, he joined us in the small consultation room within 15 minutes of the call. Dr Daneker entered the room, he was holding a small wooden box in his hands...I think Julie and I were both thinking that small wooden box held our mom's pancreas. Dr Daneker slowly removed his eye glasses from his face and said that our mom was fine and the surgery went well. Then he opened the box and put his eye glasses safely in the box...I guess we don't get to keep any favors from the surgery.

As most of you are aware, my mom was diagnosed with IPMN (Intraductual Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm). This is a type of non-invasive cancer that could progress to invasive cancer if left untreated. The doctor recommended the Whipple procedure because there was an opportunity to treat the pancreatic tumors before developing into an aggressive, hard-to-treat cancer.

Dr Daneker said that he ended up taking 60% of the pancreas...a little more than they initially planned to take because there was a tumor mid-pancreas. Dr Daneker reconstructed mom's digestive tract...during the procedure he removed the gall bladder, 60% of her pancreas, a portion of the stomach, small intestines and bile duct. He confirmed they removed all tumors associated with the cyst. The doctor said they know that non-invasive cancer was present but will not know if there is any invasive cancer until results come back from pathology. We should get these results by end of week. The doctor said it is probable my mom will be insulin dependent post this surgery but will not conclude until further evaluation during her recovery.

Mom was in recovery for 2.5 hours before moving to ICU.

letter from a friend

Monday 1/19 @ 12:15PM
Sheila Evans wrote this note while waiting for my mom to get out of surgery.

Rose -

We are all sitting around in a circle talking about how talented you are! We are all envious of all your creative talents. We've talked about how it will be very hard to keep you down and resting and we are guessing how long it will be before you are back in S.S. We all say not too long for sure. I told them that not this many people would be at my funeral, much less surgery. You really have a lot of precious friends and they are here now. We are ready for you to be out of surgery now. It's been long enough. We figured when you woke up, you would chew the doctor out for taking so long. I love you Rose and cannot wait until I can talk to you again. Hopefully, that will be very very soon, like in a couple of hours. I will finish this by talking to you in person.

circle of friends

The day started early for my family and several of my mother's dearest friends. If you were like me, it was difficult to sleep last night tossing and turning thinking about what my mother was going to undergo the next morning. In the morning my eyes opened at 4:30AM without any assistance from my alarm clock...I rolled out of bed and immediately stumbled through the house to find a phone to tell my mom how much I love her one more time before surgery.

Dad and my oldest sister Julie packed mom up early to make sure she arrived at the hospital right on time...they arrived at 5:10AM. She was robed and checked-in upon arrival. During check-in hospital staff asked her several questions to confirm patient identity...what is your name?, date of birth?, who is your doctor? From what my Dad said, mom was able to answer all the question but forgot why the heck she was there and he had to assist..."Mrs. Whipple, you don't remember why you are at the hospital?"

At 6:45AM my Dad was given a hospital pager and he and Julie moved to the waiting room as mom was taken back to surgery. I was not there but I am sure it was difficult for both of them to leave my mom's side. They were not alone for long...Several friends joined them in the waiting area and throughout the morning they built a powerful circle of friends and family. When Betsy and I arrived at the hospital at 9AM, the circle consumed more than a quarter of the waiting area.

All of you are wonderful...those of you that joined us at the hospital and those of you thinking about my mom! I appreciate you celebrating my mom! My family really appreciates all the love and support! Thank you for sitting with us during those difficult hours! Thank you for keeping my mom close to your heart and in your prayers! A special thanks to Sheila Evans, Carol Wills, Jane Hill, Gloria Terry, Larry and Beth Stephens, Art Wilder, Jay Ray Holiday, Peggy Fulghem, Debbie Ephrem, Jane and Mike Neal.

The pager buzzed again at 10:45AM, we all moved to the edge of our seats as my Dad walked to and from the nurse station. The update was brief, mom is doing fine but it will be awhile before surgery is complete.

How'd It Go?

Well, I've been at home all day exchanging phone calls with my sisters.
Mom went in at 8am. The surgery went longer than expected, but she was out by 1:30pm. My sisters said that they got to see her as she was being wheeled into the ICU.
Rosey gave them the "okay" sign and puckered her lips for Dad to smooch her. She held Julie and Kelli's hand and then she was wheeled through the doors.

She had 60% of her pancreas removed. She'll be on a feeding tube for the next week. They removed all tumors and cysts but have yet to say whether or not it's evasive, non-evasive or malignant. We'll know something in the next few days.

I'm on my way up there right now. I'll have more information, tonight.

Angela

The Night Before Surgery

So, last night everyone gathered at the house to spend time with Mom. We didn't do much of anything. We didn't talk about the surgery or her situation much. We just wanted to be near her.
Mom took her pills, made several trips to the bathroom, ate jello and hopefully got a little bit of rest. She goes into surgery at 8am.

Some very thoughtful ladies brought over a well wishes balloon. This is the first time I'd seen such a thing. Everyone writes their thoughts and well wishes on the balloon and you send it up into the air. Thank you ladies for such a sweet gesture. Those words meant a lot to Mom, I'm sure.

Thanks to everyone that called or stopped by and for all of the love and support you've shown and continue to show for Mom.
We're all keeping our fingers crossed and our spirits high.

Angela