Our Best Christmas Gifts
((((((HUGS TO ALL)))))) ~
Today, Jon’s nurse visited to change Jon’s catheter. The special cath we were hoping to use wasn’t delivered. It is called Coude, and it has a curved tip to assist with insertion for men with enlarged prostates. So, we went with the cath Jon’s been using for the past several years.
As we have for the last 3 cath changes, we labored over the length of the catheter post insertion. It was the same length as it has been, and we had no return once it was inserted. She very slowly and gently began guiding the cath further into Jon’s urethra, and bingo! Urine started to flow!
“I felt it!” she exclaimed, describing an extra bump in the road that she discovered today. “I know where it is now, and how to get over it!”
Before, Jon’s cath was 10 mm from his penis to the connection to the drain bag. It is now 3 mm.
And he is peeing! Oh, yes! He is peeing continuously! And we are rejoicing!
No trauma, no blood, just wonderful, glorious pee!
If this is the answer, then we have struck gold!
The stress relief for Jim and me is tremendous. Counting the hours since his last pee, irrigating him with no return, then worrying what that meant, his low SATS and high heart rate, when he wasn’t peeing often enough or with the largest quantity. His episodes of gagging, choking, and vomiting. Peeing over his cath ~ the linen and gown changes, the extra laundry. Our relentless efforts to mitigate everything that was happening to him. The frustration of not knowing why this was happening to him.
And most importantly we worried about Jon’s discomfort voiding 1000 ccs at one time. His hard bladder and swollen belly. His constipation. And loss of sleep, because he was awakened at 4 a.m. by a pee and couldn't return to sleep. This stuff is like a map to Things Going South.
So far, on our journey tonight, we’re traveling North. It’s amazing!
In addition to this wondrous feat, all of Jon’s supplies will now be coming from the nursing agency! I am finally rid of the incompetent suppliers! That only took me a full year to accomplish. Now, instead of waiting 2 weeks for a trache, which “is coming from another state” as the last supplier told me, to which I replied, “Yes? And? Fed Ex, UPS, the Post Office, etc. all deliver overnight,” we will now actually get his traches overnight. Like we do the rest of Jon’s supplies from the nursing agency, because we have a good friend in the supply department, who loves Jon.
More stress relief! I am singing Hallelujah!
And this morning was my second day of taking my neighborhood walk. Very short distances and close to home, wearing my knee brace, and keeping my eyes on the ground for obstacles. I even stopped to pick tangerines for Jon’s nurse. I am so extremely grateful that I am able to do this only a month after my injury. An angel is surely on my shoulder. I feel Michael surrounding me with his positive energy, love and light. He guides me through our most difficult challenges. I feel incredibly blessed.
How delightful it is to share good news! May this be the beginning of a pattern for all of us!
HAPPY HEALTHY HOLIDAYS!
As always, sending healing prayers and love to all ~
Love & Light,
Rose
Today, Jon’s nurse visited to change Jon’s catheter. The special cath we were hoping to use wasn’t delivered. It is called Coude, and it has a curved tip to assist with insertion for men with enlarged prostates. So, we went with the cath Jon’s been using for the past several years.
As we have for the last 3 cath changes, we labored over the length of the catheter post insertion. It was the same length as it has been, and we had no return once it was inserted. She very slowly and gently began guiding the cath further into Jon’s urethra, and bingo! Urine started to flow!
“I felt it!” she exclaimed, describing an extra bump in the road that she discovered today. “I know where it is now, and how to get over it!”
Before, Jon’s cath was 10 mm from his penis to the connection to the drain bag. It is now 3 mm.
And he is peeing! Oh, yes! He is peeing continuously! And we are rejoicing!
No trauma, no blood, just wonderful, glorious pee!
If this is the answer, then we have struck gold!
The stress relief for Jim and me is tremendous. Counting the hours since his last pee, irrigating him with no return, then worrying what that meant, his low SATS and high heart rate, when he wasn’t peeing often enough or with the largest quantity. His episodes of gagging, choking, and vomiting. Peeing over his cath ~ the linen and gown changes, the extra laundry. Our relentless efforts to mitigate everything that was happening to him. The frustration of not knowing why this was happening to him.
And most importantly we worried about Jon’s discomfort voiding 1000 ccs at one time. His hard bladder and swollen belly. His constipation. And loss of sleep, because he was awakened at 4 a.m. by a pee and couldn't return to sleep. This stuff is like a map to Things Going South.
So far, on our journey tonight, we’re traveling North. It’s amazing!
In addition to this wondrous feat, all of Jon’s supplies will now be coming from the nursing agency! I am finally rid of the incompetent suppliers! That only took me a full year to accomplish. Now, instead of waiting 2 weeks for a trache, which “is coming from another state” as the last supplier told me, to which I replied, “Yes? And? Fed Ex, UPS, the Post Office, etc. all deliver overnight,” we will now actually get his traches overnight. Like we do the rest of Jon’s supplies from the nursing agency, because we have a good friend in the supply department, who loves Jon.
More stress relief! I am singing Hallelujah!
And this morning was my second day of taking my neighborhood walk. Very short distances and close to home, wearing my knee brace, and keeping my eyes on the ground for obstacles. I even stopped to pick tangerines for Jon’s nurse. I am so extremely grateful that I am able to do this only a month after my injury. An angel is surely on my shoulder. I feel Michael surrounding me with his positive energy, love and light. He guides me through our most difficult challenges. I feel incredibly blessed.
How delightful it is to share good news! May this be the beginning of a pattern for all of us!
HAPPY HEALTHY HOLIDAYS!
As always, sending healing prayers and love to all ~
Love & Light,
Rose
I may not be able to walk for a few days, as tomorrow, we're expecting heavy rains from a storm heading our way from the north. When you're in a 1200 year drought, rain sounds so good. Then the flooding and mudslides start, and it's back to "be careful what you wish for!"
You sure are one resourceful woman!
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