Veronica was able to take some more effective medication to manage the pain. She has been resting calmly for the last hour. It seems like sleep to me. If she is truly sleeping it will be the first time in days. She will be moving out of the ICU soon.
Peter from PT just came in and worked with Veronica. Veronica stood and moved her feet for 5 minutes! Peter left her with some exercises to do, and goals to reach today. One goal is to walk to the hallway by this afternoon. The hallway seems far away right now.
When you water ski with our family you yell “Hit It” when you are ready to go. The driver of the boat hits the throttle and you go skiing. When you first learn to water ski there are a lot of “Hit It”s followed by splashes. Just now Veronica put both skis in the water then Mark (the RN) and I “hit the throttle”. Veronica did great! She kept her tips up, and her skis straight, she did a quick turn and landed perfectly back at the dock (or recliner). She stood up for a good 5 seconds! Now she is sitting up in a recliner. Dr. Schwartz wants her to sit up and move as much as possible. Mark said, “you will hate me this morning, but love me by this afternoon.”
This morning 5 of the doctors who performed her surgery stopped by to check on Veronica’s progress. They were all happy with her progress and said that she is recovering as expected. Unfortunately, the expected recovery isn’t pleasant.
I was able to see Veronica in the PACU. Fr. Joseph said that I was there with her for an hour and a half yet it seemed like 15 minutes. Her caregivers are helping manage her pain. She is talking when she is awake. Right now she is being moved to the ICU. I will spend more time with her tonight in the ICU, then go to bed to prepare to help care for her tomorrow. She is so beautiful.
I get to see Veronica very soon! She will be in the ICU at least overnight, and then rehab starts. Thank you, everyone, for your prayers and thoughts.
Norman is officially evicted! Dr. Freidman just stopped by and said that the tumor was completely removed, and her facial nerves are responding well. Dr. Schwartz’s team will now close up the access to the tumor and then the recovery can begin. Dr. Freidman is going to have a well-deserved nap.
Dr. Friedman just came to me and said, “everything is going well. Everything is exposed and there haven’t been any complications.” Dr. Schwartz and his team are now going to remove the tumor.