Mom's surgery is still scheduled for today at 5:00 PM. She received a visit from Dr. Payner's assistant, Elliott Levine, PA. He just wanted to check on her and said that he would leave the explanation of the surgery - length and process - and recovery time up to Dr. Payner. He said he didn't want to talk out of turn. He asked Mom if she could lift her right arm. Mom said "No" but lifted her arm above her head at the same time. :) Levine said that if everything stayed on schedule, we would hear from Dr. Payner by 4:00 PM or earlier. Dr. Payner had only one other surgery at St. Vincent that was to take place earlier today. He said that the availability of the surgery staff and the operating room at Methodist itself is the main concern and possible cause for surgery cancellation.
We asked about where Mom would be taken after the surgery. He said that it is typical with "longer surgeries" (those longer than an hour) for the patient to go to the ICU overnight. It is likely that the breathing tube used during surgery would be removed in the ICU. Mom would stay there until she was awake and moving around.
Dr. Ryan Overman of IU Health Neurology also stopped by and said he would be standing by to assist after the surgery.
- 12:20 PM - Mom received a visit from Rev. Ted Murphy and his wife, Joanne. Rev. Murphy has known Mom & Dad Rickert since their days at Memorial Methodist years ago. They traveled up for a brief visit and prayed with us before leaving. The Rickert family has only good things to say about Rev. Murphy and were very appreciative of his visit.
Mom had a good night's sleep. Her blood pressure was very good this morning. She is not allowed any water or food - so of course, she is more thirsty and hungry than when she was allowed those items. Her meds are still oral so she does get a sweet sip of water with each pill. Still no IV but that may have helped her sleep without the beeping associated with the IV machine. The Patient Advocate personnel contacted me to discuss my complaint from Saturday about the apparent lack of staffing on the Pic Team. (Mom was told she would get a pic line on Saturday morning and this has yet to occur).
She did say that she is scared. We told her that that was understandable and reassured her that the surgeons in charge are some of the best in the nation.
We would continue to ask for your prayers for Mom - her health and her emotional state and for the skills of the surgeons.
Family and friends will notice that our distribution list has greatly expanded since the updates last week. Mom and Dad are comforted in the fact that they have so many concerned friends and family. Thank you!
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