Bethany has had an extremely rough day; she is still moaning and quietly sobbing in her sleep. She was given pain meds 45 minutes ago, but because she is acquiring a resistance to them, they provide little pain relief. I set up two heating pads for her, and at her request, I just removed them because they made her too warm. She is trying to postpone her morphine shot for another hour; she realizes that if she has it now, it may be about 3 hours before any additional pain medication. I really wish the neurosurgeon would prescribe something stronger for her pain.
Bethany has had her IV released; she is only hooked up for a 15 minute stint of antibiotics every few hours. She still has her catheter and her vitals are taken only every 4 hours. The drain is still on her bed--level and is draining; it is currently up to 400 since this morning. She has yet to eat anything today, other than two bites of mashed potatoes. OK. Maybe three bites. Joy brought her up a Wendy's frosty, but I don't think she tried any. I bought her a Dew (at the nurse's request for caffeine to alleviate her headache temporarily), but she only took one sip. She hates soda pop.
Since I began typing, she just changed her mind and requested a morphine shot (at my suggestion). Her moaning is getting louder and louder--so very sad. Just because the calendar says someone is 18 1/2 years old and is technically an adult, doesn't mean they can tolerate this kind of pain.
I know that Bethany's frame of mind is changing. This episode is entirely reminiscent of her last surgeries, and that is frightening. When she has totally awakened today,for brief periods of time, she has had blurred vision and hasn't felt like communicating at all. Almost catatonic, if you ask me. I think it's because of her lack of appetite; thus, she has an empty stomach whenever she swallows the pills or takes the shots. Hmmmm. Food makes her nauseous. For that, she is taking Zofran. Along with her pain meds, she is taking a host of additional medications.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers; I know they are working. Bethany will be healed and home soon enough; it's just the interim that is unfortunate. "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. Acts 3:15-17" Amen.
Blessings and peace to each and every one of you and yours.
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