20 August 2020
I had a nice, long chat with Dr. Tong this afternoon as soon as I got home from a long walk during which I had a nice, long chat with Carol1.
"Is that Michael? This is Winnie," she says.
Dr. Tong called right after the surgery so Joyce is still in recovery as I write this. She covered a number of issues.
The Wound. She said the wound looks good and she's seeing some improvement. She cleaned it up just a little bit, too.
She also said her focus is on getting the sponge replacement done at bedside rather than in surgery. To expedite that they start with the minimum sedation through her IV to see if that's sufficient to get her through the procedure.
It hasn't been yet. So they've gone to the propofol, knocking her out. But they've needed less and less of it. So she is feeling less pain.
Dr. Tong has scheduled add-on surgeries for Monday and Thursday next week when the schedule is lighter. It's always good to avoid those 11:30 p.m. slots, she said.
The Nursing Home. The idea behind the nursing home suggestion was, as Carol thought, more intensive, two-a-day physical therapy sessions. And only if Joyce wanted them.
But Dr. Cook2 thought Joyce wouldn't qualify for a nursing home.
Joyce has complained that she can't bend or lift her knee on the leg that had the surgery. Dr. Tong said that's no where near the site. And she didn't touch any muscle in cleaning out the wound.
So it could be swelling or stiffness. But it would affect her ability to climb up and down stairs (although Amy3 came up with some innovation solutions for that, if I recall).
So physical therapy is important in getting her out of there.
Apnea. I'll have to follow up with Dr. Cook about this. And believe me, as a Dormus Interruptus victim4, I will.
The Medical Team. Dr. Cook heads Joyce's medical team at the hospital, Dr. Tong explained. But, she added, they rotate out every week. So next week it will be Dr. Somebody Else.
In any case, all Joyce has to do is request they call me to fill me in on her situation.
Dr. Tong said it would be helpful for me to have another perspective, particularly one focused on Joyce's daily condition. I told her that's what would normally be happening with daily visits were I allowed in the building, so I'll do that.
The Long Haul. She repeated that the wound is looking better and better each time and that Joyce is requiring less anesthesia. But, she added, it's going to be a long haul.
She can't predict when she'll be able to do the sponge replacement at bedside or when Joyce will be released from the hospital.
I thanked her for her efforts and keeping me informed. "Of course," she said.