Setbacks

We HATE setbacks. They really fuck everything up. They are tiring, emotionally draining and literally physically draining.
Today was spent with Scott having a series of tests.
Started with an ultrasound on Scott's left calf. Yes, the damn left leg again. Noticeably more swollen this morning we thought DVT (blood clot) sure enough DVT, just as suspected. The ultrasound chick, Maria, whom we've had repeatedly, reported "there is all kinds of strange stuff going on down there". Oh, goody thanks for that, we love you too.
Next came the EKG - guess what kids, Scott has a heart and it's beating - YEAH *jazz hands*
Then the chest xray - Scott's one boney dude - no results reported at this time
After that came the echo cardiogram (ECHO) (basically an ultrasound of the heart) - again showing that Scott has a heart and again it's beating. No, real results reported to us from this one either.
Additional blood workups - checking Scott's heart function - normal reports from this test.

This is all a result from a tense couple of dr. conversations this morning.
Scott woke up and continued to feel lightheaded and very fatigued. Dr. Young, Dr. N, and Dr.Ben (safely home from Haiti) all visited.
Dr. Young was rather dismissive to both myself and Dr. N and Dr. Ben., as you all may remember from my showdown with the SICU doctor, dismissive just doesn't fly with me. It's a real quick way to get me to use my foot to show you to the door.
Don't get me wrong, I like Dr. Young, I really do, I think he's a great doctor and knows what he does like no other. But, I'm the best tool these doctors have in their tool box and when I'm not being listened to we will fail, Scott will fail and I canNOT allow that.
Dr. Young has been tremendously helpful in the other areas of managing Scott's on- going medical concerns. He's been a huge activist in keeping Scott pain free and he's come up with a few other great plans to help Scott get back on track with all the potty issues that come from a month long hospital stay, I'm very grateful. But this time, with Scott being weird and having lots of non-typical presentations I feel like he wasn't listening well enough.
Plus, he talked to Dr. N and Dr. Ben like they were fleas on his dog. This drives me bat shit crazy. These two men, may look like kids to him but, they have saved Scott's life countless times, they have earned respect.
If I could only pick one doctor to have for the rest of my life it would be one of them, and I have no vascular issues. I trust them so completely, and to see someone who has done so little for us treat two people whom have done so much in such a shitty way really chaps my ass. I understand hospital politics and hierarchy and the Vascular boys didn't mind it (they are used to it) but I take offense.

Phew, I guess I needed to just get that all off my chest.

Back to Scott. We brought in a "medicine specialist" which basically is a hospital internist (general practitioner) to try to get the bottom of the fainting and fatigue. Dr. Berger (the GP) is who ordered the heart work up. We're expecting to have a full picture of all his findings tomorrow.
Scott was feeling a little better tonight, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Scott had zero PT and OT today. We're unsure how the DVT in the calf is going to mess with PT, we'll cross that bridge tomorrow.

I think it's also important to tell you all why I'm so bothered by this dizziness. Scott had something very similar to this happen two or three days before Christmas which is when this all first started with Scott's left leg. Could be coincidence but until we know a little more I can't rest, I can't be settled and I can't let it go. Time will tell, I'm hoping and praying for coincidence.

A funny highlight to the end of our day was when this cute, perky, overly nice, totally clueless early-20's girl walked in Scott's room at 3:45, all the test have been done, we've had a bad day, they found the DVT's which will slow us down, we're exhausted. She bounces in and says in this very nice voice "Good news, they set a release date for you." She stopped smiling when I started laughing like a hyena. Poor girl hadn't heard about our day, no fault of hers. She was just doing her job.
She paused while I rolled on the floor laughing and then she says "well, it's not until the 20th." More hysterical laughter. When I finally manged to compose myself, I explained the day we'd had, told her we knew the process and we knew that the "release date" was more a date to make the insurance happy and less of a real release date. She was very apologetic, very sweet and maybe a little scared when she left.

Release date, bahahahahwhahhah she said release date.....sides hurting, can't stop laughing..... We'll be out of here soon enough but I'm not seeing the 20th.

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Other news - Baby Ryan, is doing better. All the love and well wishes are working. He's still needing oxygen but he's getting stronger all the time and Alli reports lots of smile today.

Other, other news - Phil Harris, the Captain of the crab boat the Cornelia Marie died on Tuesday. Upon hearing this news I sobbed.
Those of you that know me really well know that I have a very strange fondness (love really) for the show The Deadliest Catch on the Discovery channel. I've been known to watch hours of this show.

I can admit I have a serious problem - admitting is the first step toward recovery

Captain Phil was a true character, no Jersey Shore, The Bachelor, The Hills, fake acting here. He was the real deal, out doing seriously dangerous work so I can stuff my face with some crabs. His love for his family and his job were unmatched. I'm getting all weepy again so I'm going to shut up now before you all band together and do some type of intervention.

And finally a shout out - Kathy, we know you're Scott's nurse and you kind of have to help but you went above and beyond today, everyday really. You are so wonderful to the both of us and we will never, ever be able to express our gratitude. I know that there would have been a casualty today (in the form of a fired dr or transport specialist) had you not been there to help me. You are the bomb diggity. We love that you're Scott's nurse but we are honored to have you as part of our family.


Tomorrow shall bring a few more answers, I hope.

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Unsure

I'm not quite sure what to write about for today's events. So I'll start with a few other items.

Baby Ryan - from the last update I got on Facebook Baby Ryan is still admitted but is responding well to treatments. Alli is now reporting that he has pneumonia and they are expected at least another day at the hospital. Please keep sending those healing, positive thoughts to them. Baby Ryan needs to be home with his brother.
Keep up the good work Ryan. We love you!

The snow sucks it! Scott and I had second helpings of Jambalaya and Cajun corn for dinner, I'm not sure how but it might have gotten better, which I didn't believe was possible. Kate stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house tonight and it makes me sad.
Our cats are both being obnoxious needy brats. And finally the snow sucks it!

I've stalled long enough now huh? You all come here to hear how Scott is doing. Scott's dental appt went fine. He needs nothing done urgently and hopefully the root canal and crown can wait until he gets home and our usual dentist can do it.

Scott's day started off well. He looked really good, ate a great breakfast and got a decent nights sleep. Went down for the first round of PT at 945, started off well. During Scott's first stand he got a little light headed. He's done this before, he just pushes through it and moves on. The second stand - the light headedness got worse and I could tell Scott was having trouble.
The third stand Scott nearly passed out. He lost all the color from his face and his eyes weren't tracking together completely.
Now, this can be from any number of issues ranging from dehydration to an early warning signal of an aneurysm starting trouble.
After PT Scott headed over to OT to do a low intensity session and I headed out to call Dr. Jacobs.
Jen, Dr. Jacobs physician assistant (PA) came over for a visit to check in. Nothing right now is glaringly obvious that there is a problem. She also checked out Scott's leg while she was there. Jen was elated with the progress on the thigh incision and took a look at the yucky calf/shin.
For right now we're just watching Scott. Watching, waiting and hoping.

Scott did do his second PT session after his dentist appointment. He just did some work on the mat with some stretching and trunk work, very low intensity.
Scott in general has been very, very tired the last two days. He's still feeling a little "woozy" in the head. We're hoping a good night rest helps set things back right.

Tomorrow we're going to jump back on the bus (assuming Scott is feeling well in the am) and go at PT with full strength. Can't slow down now, he's doing to well.

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Progression

Let's start at the beginning. Here' shot of Scott's 2nd stand during this hospital stay. You remember the high tech gadgets and all the people that needed to help. This was January 25th.


Then there was this on the 2nd of February. Big improvements already


And on the 4th. It's just Scott and Nate but look at how hard Nate is working. Poor boy should get hazard pay. Oh wait he's just a student all he gets is our torment and the free workout. sorry for the bad cell phone picture


Just look at him today. Nate is using only his arms, he no longer gets the full body work out.


And by the end of Scott's morning session he was using our old friend the Eva walker.


That's some serious, serious improvements. I'm so excited about taking the next steps.

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Sweet Baby Ryan was admitted to the hospital today to be treated for his RSV. I know how much all of you have prayed, loved and blessed our lives during this difficult time, I ask you to take just one more second and give that same love to this sweet baby.

Alli, we are here for you. I wish I could physically be there to help but we are with you in spirit. I cannot imagine how scary it must be. Try to find peace that he's in the best possible place to heal quickly. Before to long we'll have all the boys home and we'll be sitting in the backyard laughing at the big boys as they play with Pink Death, share a beer and solve all of life's mysteries.
I'm only a phone call away. Any time day or night. We love you guys.

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Mid-day Monday Report

Few tidbits for this sunny Monday.

Lets do good and maybe not so good lists again. Humor me I'm a list girl and it's my blog so there. *sticks out tongue*

Not so good - Scott edition
*Scott broke a tooth this morning eating the worlds softest donut. Trouble I tell you.
*Scott's liver function has been getting worse - it's not bad and they are thinking it's because of the meds he's on but I of course can't forget that silly little aneurysm in the artery supplying blood to the liver. This gives me serious angina.


hmmm.... That's it for the not so good for Scott - YEAH!!!! *jazz hands*

Good things- Scott edition
*Scott has remarkable, noticeably better movements in his left leg.
*The left thigh incision looks amazing, So much better.
*Scott's standing in PT are going well. Nate is doing so much less to get him standing.
*Scott is once again using the Eva walker in PT. Some of you might remember it from last time, Eva was a life saver. I've got photos to share later.
*We just finished the most amazing homemade (right down to the broth) jambalaya and Cajun corn EVER. BigDan and Kathy rock the world. I've told Scott that I'm divorcing him and I felt it necessary to let Kathy know I was going to make a play on her man.
*We've got homemade bread pudding with a whiskey cream butter sauce waiting for us after Scott's 1pm PT.

Not so good news - non Scott related
*Ann, St. Ann, our favorite Ann, mother of Andrew, took a fall on the ice and broke her elbow on Friday. She reports that it's a small break and they expect a full recovery in 4-5 weeks. Big hugs to Ann. Heal fast Ann. We love you.
*Baby Ryan is still struggling with his RSV - Come on little man it's time to get better now.
*I have to spend my day off on Friday at the dentist getting a crown
*We're expecting 8-12'' of snow in the next 36 hours.

Good news - non Scott related
*Adam D.'s RSV is improving. He's finally eating after loosing 3lbs. GO ADAM!!!
*Donovan is recovering beautifully from his spine surgery.
*I found my mind. I lost it somewhere around last Thursday but a calm weekend, lots of time with the bestest big girl in the world and her fabulous Daddy along with a little sleep I was able to relocate my mind this morning. Turns out it was in my underwear drawer that entire time. Who knew? Maybe if I stopped living out of the clean laundry baskets I would have found it sooner.

That's about all from here for now. More updates later along with some photos.

Lastly, I need votes. Would you all like to see photos of what the icky black stuff on Scott's leg looks like? A few people have asked me via text or email and I want the general consensus before posting them. They are pretty graphic. I won't post them until maybe wed so you all have time to voice your opinions. I can always just email those that were interested in seeing them.

Later Gators

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Silent Sunday

Dear Blogger,
Suck it.
On Sunday night I want to just post a cute picture of my husband and our only child and go to sleep. I do not have the energy to try 1000 times to download the previously mentioned picture just to have you give me some lame ass error message.
Play nice with me Blogger, I can get very mean when I'm pissy.

Thank you.
Mama Witt

So since, I have no ability to share photos right now I'll post a small update.

Scott had a restful day. No PT or OT. Bonnie came up for a visit and went on a walk with us. We took a journey over to the main hospital to visit the gift shop and get me an ABP lunch. Scott got his Valentines Day shopping finished at the gift shop. Thanks for helping us out Bonnie!

Scott rested until my family arrived with a Super Bowl spread. We stuffed our faces and watched part of the game. I successfully manged to not see one single play of the entire game. It was awesome.
GO SAINTS!


Lots of hard work coming up this week. I'm hoping to get some answers on why Scott's blood pressure and temperature get nutty every night. His BP was something like 138/42 tonight. It's been doing this the last couple days and it's bothering me. I'm sure there is an easy answer I just don't know it.

So there you have it, my tired ramblings because Blogger sucks it.

Hoping for a healing week for all the "sickies" in our lives.

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And Me Without My Camera

KT and I visited Scott today. Got down there just in time for Scott's PT and OT.
KT was quite helpful in PT.



"You can do it Daddy"

"Go Daddy"


Then we moved into OT. Scott got to practice his shirt on shirt off capabilities.
This pretty little number was the only thing around.

Lets get a closer look at those sparkles. Super hot Scotty, super hot.


We had lots of fun on our visit. KT went home with the Grandparents for nap time while I stayed behind to spend some time with Scotty and do his dressing changes and such.
I was at my parents in time to get K up from her nap. It's probably a good thing I got there before they could corrupt her any further. Turns out in my absence my father and brother have taught K a few new tricks.

Here is K eating the Parmesan cheese out of Papa's hand at dinner. Papa makes a little bowl with his hand, K fills it with cheese and then proceeds to eat the cheese out of his hand.



I'm not going to tell you what Uncle Justin is responsible for teaching her but I'll give you a little clue... it starts with the steal your nose game and lets just say Uncle taught K what happens when you eat something. Golly gee Uncle Justin, you're the bestest ever.

We had a pretty good day and are looking forward to spending more time together as a family tomorrow.
Sending more get well wishes to our dear friends the Donahue's. Both boys now have RSV and poor little Ryan is only 3 months old. Hoping they get some rest soon.
All the illness I've seen in the past month and nothing, absolutely nothing is worse than kids, babies, being ill. It breaks my heart.
Be strong Alli, sleep every possible second the boys let you.

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My Day Off

So I spent my time away today eating BonBon's, painting my nails and reading trashy magazines.
And then it was 5:45a and I woke up. My fantasy was shattered. My raging sore throat and snotty nose had come to rain on my parade.
Kate spent her usual Friday morning at pre-school while I ran around town with my box of Kleenex doing fun things like oil change, bank deposits, grocery store (the kid thinks she needs milk and fruit - whatever kid drink the tap water) and Hallmark. Oh gosh kids Hallmark.
I lost it in Hallmark. Finally all these weeks of stress, fear, uncertainty and lack of sleep caught up with me. Standing there reading Valentines cards to Scott from Kate and to Kate from Scott, I turned into an absolute sobbing mess.
It was so not pretty. I'm sobbing and muttering things to myself like "what if this is the last Valentines we have together." I got mad that all the little kid cards are so surfacy. I didn't want surfacy, what if this is the last card? I want Kate to have something for her whole life that says just how her daddy feels about her. I'm here to tell you nothing with a strong sentiment comes with Dora on it.
To distract myself I went over to find a card to give Scott myself. Boy, that was stupid. I needed someone to grab me by my hair and drag me out of that damn store. But no...I'm too stupid to stop torturing myself.
Rest assured, I got my cards and I left them $150 for the hour of therapy.

I picked up Kate and we had lunch with a friend. While K napped I cleaned the house, paid bills and made some phone calls. Today playing the role of Adult is Brandi Witt ..... said in my best announcer voice

After nap K got a hair cut, we had dinner just the two of us and played about 600 rounds of hide and seek. It was phenomenal (well except that whole Hallmark thing). K is winding down and I'm posting this.

I got a great report out of JRB today. Scott had what he called "my best stand yet and it lasted 3 minutes". Sounds like he pulls out his best work in my absence. It sounds like he had a wonderful day.
I can hear in his voice that he's exhausted which is a good thing. Thanks PT Nate, Kate, OT Carole and Terri. And a super big, huge, ginormous thank you to Kathy. I wasn't a mess all day because I knew he was in good hands. That is the best gift anyone could ever give me.
And of course Scott is so popular he got some visitors. Sorry I missed you Allison, thanks for the call. Hugs to the family.



Looking forward to going up and seeing Scott tomorrow. I didn't miss the drive but I did miss my husband.

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