"The Dingo"

It's been a couple of weeks since our last post and time for an update. Today marks the 4 week anniversary of Connie's surgery.

Connie is still making progress each day. Her speech and mental clarity have improved dramatically in the last few weeks. Vicki walked in tonight and complemented her Mom on how good she sounds.

Last night Hunter, the Wonder Dog, took Connie and I for a 1 mile walk around the block. We had a great time! Hunter has acquired a nickname- The Dingo; a wild dog from another continent.

Sunday, August 3rd was the family reunion on my mother's side of the family tree. The Breault Reunion- which is a really big deal in our family and a great time. We had my sister Marlene as a house guest for the weekend and the three of us agreed not to stay too long so Connie wouldn't get too tired. Well she was the one wanting to stay- pretty amazing considering a few weeks ago where she was at.

Then as we were leaving Alex asked to come and stay- we couldn't say no. He's been here since and keeps things lively. Once in while we toss him a bar of soap and some clean duds- but he helps Connie when she needs it.

Last week Connie took Cody and Alex (The Grandsons) to the Isabella County Fair. I was more than a little anxious but they had a plan and looked out for each other. Though a little tired Gram had a blast. Cody has his permit to drive and I am told he's a good driver- maybe that's what my anxiety was about.........

Tomorrow we travel to Novi for an appointment with the neurologist, Dr. K, for a follow up. Connie has been having difficulty hearing mainly in her right ear. She's also complaining of some confusion, she says a fog, and we'll see what he says...............

Connie's strength is coming back but she has a ways to go. I think because she had silently suffered for so long she lost much of her muscle strength and stamina. Once again both of us are learning to be patient.

Well that's enough for now- The Dingo just chewed through the door of Connie's Jeep! My guess is Connie will notice this one, but that was a secondary goal of going to Mayo............

Creig

14 days and Healing

Connie continues to make progress every day- for her it can't go fast enough. But I see progress every day..........

Connie's Dad is here tonight. He thinks she's coming along "Mighty fine!". Many of the symptoms are subsiding slowly but they are changing. He hasn't seen her since last Wednesday and says she's back!

Connie's energy is increasing and she is able to stay up from 7AM until after 10 PM. Most of the time without a nap!!!!!!!

She's careful yet not to drive but that's saving us a lot......and I see that changing just around the corner! She cooked our dinner tonight and it was great!

I'll keep you posted,
Creig

Seven Days Post-Op

I have been itching to update what has been going on with Connie but she has been a little nervous. I think she didn't want to jinx anything. Then tonight I saw my sister Sharon's last comment and I could never ignore her request!

Connie has left her cane in the corner since we have been home- no longer needed! Sunday night we were talking about her progress and she got up and demonstrated a "heel-to-toe" walk. It was very impressive given her gait 5 days earlier. Very awesome!

Vicki, Lisa Gail, Connie, and myself were talking also on Sunday about some things going on with Lisa Gail which went back and forth between the girls- and me tossing in my 2 cents on occasion. Connie kept up with this fast paced back and forth- interjecting at times always appropriately. This would not have been possible before the surgery.

I have also been keeping track of the amount of time spent awake during the day. Before the surgery Connie spent the day sleeping most of the time. Sunday she slept until about 11 AM, got up and tried later on two occasions to take a well deserved nap. Once her friend called and the other time her Pa came to visit. We finally went to bed about 11 PM-TWELVE HOURS LATER!

Connie did get a burn on her neck from tape used in surgery and/or something put on her skin. It's looking much better today.

The muscle pain is much better than before the surgery as well but still some pain.

Today, Tuesday July 22nd, Connie had a Doctor appointment in Battle Creek with her general practitioner. He wanted to know what we did to the other lady in to see him- the lady before Mayo. He was most impressed that the cane was nowhere to be seen! The new lady was looking around and laughing!

He said most of what she is going through is expected post-operative and to give it some time. It will get better!

We are both a little concerned how far and how much of normal returns. I said it before- I don't have much patience!

Sharon threatened to call if we didn't update and I wouldn't blame anyone. For now Connie is a little reluctant to talk too much so I will try to put something in every couple of days.

Tomorrow is a big day- Connie's cousin from Colorado is in the area and they are planning a little birthday party for Connie's Pa so I have to shoo her off to bed ..............at 11:25PM!

Life can slow down and ease up for a while, and I will be content to document the healing.

Creig

Connie is HOME!

Wednesday was a long day. Had a couple tests at Mayo that went good and we hit the road at 10:30. We missed the boat and everyone just wanted to be home so we decided to go around the lake. Near Chicago we noticed that Connie developed some hives and was running a temperature. So we kept an eye on it and about an hour later it had risen. We were close to Kalamazoo and decided to stop in to the Hospital to check her out. After about two or three hours they told us that it's fairly normal to be running a slight temp a day after surgery and the hives could be due to heat and stress. We talked to Marlene on the way to Kalamazoo and she arrived at the hospital shortly after we did. It was so great to see her and Zack. It also turned out that Kim had an ambulance run to the hospital and we saw her there too! (Thanks you three-it helped having you there.) We finished our trip home at 3:00am, so it was indeed a very long day. Mike is on his way home today (Thursday). Mom seems to be doing well and Vic, Creig and Mike all think that they have already seen improvements in Connie. Time will tell. Thanks for being there for us!
- Michael

Travel Plans

It's late Tuesday and things are going good. Connie is "waking up" from the meds- in time to go to bed! She is having some pain, 8 on a 10 scale, but isn't too demanding...........

Plans are to hit the two appointments after clearing out of the motel then head east via Chicago. Neither ferry fits our plan so we'll see what Chicago looks like tomorrow afternoon. Mike's car is in Ludington so we'll get him there. The Doc says to stop once an hour to stretch. So this being the day after surgery it's not what we wanted for Connie.

Everyone here is ready to be home as soon as we can get there. Leave the light on for us.

Creig

5 O'clock Rochester

St Mary's Hospital

Connie really liked this stain glass window and ask that we take a photo. This is where she had her surgery. It is amazing how great the care is here.

-mm

Well we spent a little more time in the hospital than planned. The surgeon wanted to meet with Connie........then got tied up in another job.

So we waited and waited...........Vicki & Michael were released to the hotel. After several hours we headed out after the Doc said she would be a while......and got back to the hotel about 5pm Michigan time.

Connie is a little groggy but starting to get her sense of humor back. My guess is we'll just lay around tonight.

We have two appointments in the morning so I don't know when we might get back to Michigan. We'll keep you "posted"!

Creig

Connie's Surgery

Connie is in the recovery room right now. She had one parathyroid gland removed. Normal weight is 50mg- hers was 1950mg. Normal size is a grain of rice- hers was the tip of the thumb.

Before surgery her parathyroid hormone was 200- after surgery it was 38. Normal is 10 to 50. The surgeon thought the problem had be ongoing for 10+ years.

After recovery we should all be back in the hotel by mid-afternoon. She will have to go in to the clinic in the morning then and then we'll be heading East!

Creig