3/18

Good morning! Mom's surgery went well. She went in at 7:20 PM and was back in her room at about 9:54 PM. We waited all day for them to come and take her to surgery but I think the operation before hers took longer than expected.

Mike and I were in the holding room with her when Dr. Koester came to talk before the surgery. He explained in great detail the seriousness and severity of the wounds, what had happened to the arm during the attack and then what he did to correct to injuries. He then described how the skin grafting would work and the plan for the next week. The graft will be observed for 5-7 days and if it's taking then we will pack our bags for Florida. I told her last night (in my game show voice) "Congratulations Anita, you've just a 3 month all expense paid vacation to beautiful Brooker, Florida". She laughed of course.

The doctor said that he is very please with what she is doing with her hand and how the tendon transfer was coming along. He said that in about a year she may want/need to have to do some work on the nerve to the thumb, some re-routing and so on.

All in all a good night for mom, she only had pain medicine once last night and once this morning and she slept really well. She's in a great mood this morning and glad to have this last surgery behind her.

Mike had his surgery yesterday and the anesthesia made him sick I think. He did make it to the hospital as I said earlier and brought me some dinner. He got his first peek at the left arm when the doctor unwrapped it, not sure if the meds were making him sick or seeing Mom's arm made upset him but he was there one minute and gone the next. Charlie was with him and he told me he was going to go check on him and 'I said where did he go?' I didn't even see him leave but Charlie said he thought he was sick and he was going to take him back to the house.

Mom will likely be moved to the TCU Transitional Care Unit today and be there for the next 5 days. The did keep the wound vac to aid the skin graft in taking. She will have her "Edward Scissor Hands" device for the next 5 weeks. She will be in physical therapy for 12 weeks.

As soon as I know her new room number I'll post it right here. Have a great day and I'll check in tomorrow with an update.

love,
Katie