Yesterday was rough. Really rough. Probably a good thing we took our time posting this one.
To be able to go home we have to master the pain management and have to be able to walk around. I got one last IV dose of a pain med early yesterday afternoon and it put me in deep space nine, which turned out to be a false sense of progress. Around 3pm we switched to oral meds as another step towards freedom. While those meds do their job when I’m still in bed, standing up & moving myself to a chair was awful. I sobbed my way back into bed and didn’t have any appetite the rest of the night. Made for another rough morning taking a bunch of meds on an empty stomach, throwing up with an incision that stretches across my entire abdomen isn’t exactly fun. They got zofran into my system pretty quickly which helped. I also had to get a new IV at 4am and if you have tiny veins like me, you can imagine how not welcomed that was.
Yesterday all I wanted to do was scream “cancer sucks” at the top of my lungs, but there’s already a patient taking care of the screaming on the floor. Didn’t want to lose my favorite patient status so I left the job to her. But for real, cancer really does suck.
We met with Dr. Potkul and team this morning. I told him I liked him and all but I would love to get home. He was going to look into a nerve blocker around the incision site so that I can at least get up. I’m fine in taking steps, it’s the sitting up, getting out of bed, holding myself up that’s intolerable. You don’t realize how much you use your abs for everything!
We are going to watch the progress closely today. Holding out hope to go home tonight, if for nothing else than just be able to sleep through the night instead of the hourly wake up calls. Thankfully we have the nurses we love back with us today & yes she brought me another red & pink starburst pack. No, Dad, I don’t share those. 🙂
Kevin has been MVP 1 (think QB 1 from Friday Night Lights). He’s taken quite well to his hospital duties (some of which he enjoys far too much) and he’s keeping me in line with the fluids. I know he’s anxious for some much deserved, uninterrupted sleep!
Stay tuned and keep prayin. We could use all the healing prayers & positive thoughts we can get right now.
On a really cool note though, my sister designed a shirt in our honor and my entire fam all walked into the hospital with these on:
Thank you Annas!!
Beef & Kevin
#halliestrong 
Love you guys! So proud of you, Bethany. You are in our thoughts and prayers every day. ❤️❤️
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Hey Beef –
Keep fightin’ on – I’m so sorry to hear you are in pain, but know you will overcome it all and get to go home soon. Thinking of you!! Love the shirts as well.
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Dear Beef & Kevin. I can’t imagine the heartache you are feeling, but have experienced the abdominal surgery and the fun that goes along with it. I sure wish I could just put my arms around you and make everything feel good again. Just know that you are loved and make sure the two of you take special care to love each other.
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Stay strong Beef. I hate to hear you are in so much pain, but if anyone can fight this thing it’s you. Sending positive thoughts, lots of love, and a big middle finger to cancer.
…..and I guess I love Jay Cutler 😊❤️ Hopefully that got a smile 😉
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Oh Bethany, how awful! You’re unbelievably strong and you will win. Thinking about you constantly! Hugs!
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Ugh, that sucks. You have every right to scream and cry. There will be better days. I promise. Thinking of you all the time.
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Cancer most definitely sucks. (I wanted to through a curse word or two in there but don’t want to put that all over your blog lol) You’re always in my prayers!
PS- Love the shirts!! I’m sure there are a lot of us that would love to rep our Beef. Kevin, is there any way Anna could give us the details on where she got them??
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Hey Beef –
Praying for progress today so you can go home ASAP. I can only imagine how much you are craving just to be in your own place!
Love the shirts so much!
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You’re a warrior Bethany. I pray for your health and recovery every day. Hang in there. Thinking of you.
PS…love the shirts.
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Thinking about you and praying for you constantly to have the strength you need, tolerance for the pain, and for rapid healing – both physically and mentally. XO 😘
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Beth,
Dr Potkul is a great doctor! You are in the best of hands! Try and set small daily goals like staying up a litlle longer. You’ll be out before you know it. Hang in there and know we are all hoping and praying for you!
Mary
Ps. I am a nurse, your Mom has my number if you need anything!
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